Presentation Transcript

1. Accelerating Implementation of MDGs: A case of Millennium Village Program in Uyui-Tabora

   ‘Good practices’ and ‘lessons learned’ from a Millennium Village Program to eradicate abject poverty Gerson Nyadzi, PhD Team Leader & Science Coordinator A presentation made during the Poverty Policy Week (PPW) 25th-27th Nov, 2013 at Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere International Conference, Dar es Salaam

2. Presentation Outline

   Background Millennium Village Concept Interventions + Key Achievements Major Challenges Up-scaling Strategies Concluding Remarks

3. Background

   Millennium Declaration was adopted by 189 countries at the Millennium Summit in September 2000; Agreement to promote peace, security, human rights, democracy, governance, environment, poverty reduction, health and social services; Adoption of 8 goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators with 2015 as timeline; UNDP as UN scorekeeper for the MDGs.
4. Africanized MDGs - due by 2015
5. The MVP Concept Genesis 2001/02: UN Secretary General established the UN Millennium Project (UNMP) to identify practical ways to achieve the MDGs. 2005: UNMP releases reports and series of recommendations. 2005/06: Millennium Villages Project conceived as proof of concept that MDGs can be achieved in rural Africa, using the UNMP recommendations.
6. Concept cont’d ………. MVP Principles: Science-and evidence-based proven implementing technologies and practices; Community-based, with a participatory approach to planning, implementation, and monitoring that contextualizes specific interventions for each village; Enhance local capacity development in technical, managerial and participatory skills - involving different agencies and community.
7. MVP Concept cont’d …….. Financial model: based on an average input of USD110 per capita per annum for a 5-year timeframe Breakdown: Community contribution: ---------- 10 National + Local Government:---- 20 110 Other partners/investors: ---------------- 20 Project (MVP) donors: ------------ 60 direct interventions: -- 50 project management: -- 10
8. Cost for achieving MDGs per capita(cont’d)
9. MVP Concept cont’d …….. Integrated targeted investments at the community level in 4-5 priority sectors (minimum package): Agriculture, incl. livestock (improved seeds/breeds, fertilizers, best agronomic + husbandry practices, etc.); Health, including HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria control (functional clinics, incl. staffing, adequate supply of drugs, equipment, etc.); Education (functional schools, incl. school meals); Water + sanitation Infrastructure(covering energy, roads, ICT, etc.).
10. Base-lining and surveys Community Engagement/ Government Support Cluster Staff and Office Infrastructure in place MVP Pillars based on five initial core objectives and interventions Success Malaria Bednets Basic Clinical Services Safe Water Points Children in Schools Harvests
11. The Millennium Villages Network Total of 14 MVs in 10 African countries (covering some 0.5 million people): Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda (see map) Now expanding into Benin, Cameroon, Liberia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Madagascar; as well as: Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Comoros, the Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Togo; Some countries are up-scaling the good lessons from MVP using own resources:e.g. Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda Site selection criteria: (i) typical hunger spot, (ii) abject poverty (>60% on < 1USD per day), (iii) agro-ecology (farming system used by >90% of agricultural population).
12. TOTAL POPULATION APPROXIMATELY 455,000
13. The Mbola Millennium Villages Cluster Location:Ilolangulu Division, Uyui District; about 36 km from Tabora Municipality; Area coverage: 133,433 ha (1,334 km2) in four wards: Mabama, Usagari, Ibiri and Ilolangulu. Villages covered:16 administrative villages (40,000 people), of which: (i) research villages (MV1): Mbola, Mpenge & Isila (ii) up-scaling villages (MV2):Ngokolo, Isenga Ilolangulu and Ulimakafu; Mabama, Ideka, Mbiti, Msiliembe; Ibiri, Inonelwa; Msimba and Migungumalo. Definition: 1 MV = 1,000 HHs; Mbola has 6 MVs  6,000 HHs (5.6 members/HH).
14. Location of Mbola Millennium Villages Cluster within Uyui District, Tabora Tanzania
15. Development Challenges in Mbola MVP Mbola was launched in mid 2006; Baseline surveys conducted in 2006/2007; Following development challenges were identified: High poverty levels (over 60 living under 1USD/capita/day) Poor agricultural management practices Unreliable rainfall, leading to declining crop yields Shortage of basic infrastructure Poor education facilities and infrastructure Domination of tobacco as cash crop High rate of environmental degradation Unsustainable use of the Miombo woodlands Poor access to markets. Therefore Mbola is a typical Tanzanian rural village cluster with all the poverty trap characteristics.
16. MVP Management Structure National Level: MoF/PEED; UNDP/MP Regional and District level: RC/RAS Tabora, DC/DED Uyui Community + Village Level: MVP Council/Baraza, Village Sector Committees Project Level : Country Coordinator/MDG Advisor Team Leader & Science Coordinator Finance & Administration Manager Sector Coordinators Community Facilitators (seconded LGA staff) Local Level support staff: i.e. field enumerators, data entry clerks, community health workers, etc
17. MVP Mbola Key Achievements We know that no single intervention is enough. In order to effect lasting change in any one area, we must improve them all.

18. PROGRESS AGAINST TARGETS

19. Key Achievements in Community Development Community sensitization and training on participatory approaches in planning and implementation; Village sector committees strengthened - comprising of 523 members (45% are women); 35 member MVP Council/Baraza (including women and youths) was formed as a project oversight body – representing each of the 16 villages; Community Innovation Centre at Ilolangulu was built: useful for capacity building, social events, income generation, establishment of a community library, community radio, etc.
20. Key Achievements Agriculture and Business (MDG 1) Goal: Increase food production and incomes Activities: Supporting farmers with fertilizer from partners Agrium and Mosaic, along with improved seeds (maize, cassava, orange fleshed sweet potatoes), first as subsidy and gradually shifting to credit. Providing training to farmers in agronomic techniques Diversifying production with nutritious, high-value crops (sunflower, groundnuts and horticultural crops) and livestock to increase in household income. Building grain warehouses for better storage. 15 agriculture sector committees ( 92 members : 50% women) were revived and empowered through training and provided with bicycles and other extension gears; Results: Maize yields have doubled and in some years quadrupled contributing to a one-third reduction in levels of chronic malnutrition among children under two. Farm productivity has improved significantly: from 0.97 tons per ha (in 2006/07) to 5.79 tons per ha (in 2007/08) and maintained at 4 tons/ha for three consecutive years; Efficiency and sustainability of farming practices have been improved. Opportunities for commercial sales have expanded. Crop losses have reduced, income improved, and access for buyers facilitated. Surplus maize production for sale and contribution to the school meal programme (SMP): 9,554 bags (994 tons) of maize were collected in 2007/98 season as community contribution towards SMP.
21. AGRICULTURE SECTOR Increased crop diversity and food production <0.97t/ha in 2006 to 5.76 t/ha Farmers were supported with farm inputs (fertilizers & improved seeds) coupled with extension services on agronomic practices such as ridging, timely planting, proper spacing, weeding, appropriate fertilizer application, etc. Introduction of new cash crops like sunflower.
22. BUMPER HARVEST
23. Income and Farming Diversification Introduction of early maturing cassava cultivars and resistant to cassava mosaic, sweet potatoes rich in vitamin A (orange fleshed sweet potatoes), and quality protein maize. Train farmers on good agriculture practices for groundnuts production Introduction of improved cockerels and chicken vaccination against New Castle disease. 18 diary cows introduced: 12 in the cluster and 6 outside the cluster.
24. Income and Farming diversification Agricultural Extension support is crucial to ensure productivity Dry season farming
25. Agriculture Challenges
26. BUSINESS AND COOPERATIVE SECTORS Financial Institution
27. Key Achievements in Agriculture and Business ... Goal: Transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture to ensure sustainability of the project gains. Activities: Forming cooperatives and providing access to financial services Identifying new revenue streams, producing business plans, providing skills and management training, and developing value chains. Forging links with regional buyers Fostering entrepreneurship and business development addressed to spur rural economic transformation: 109 groups (96 business + 13 social) identified; 209 members trained in business management; Mbola Millennium SACCOS was established in 2009. By Oct 2013 – it has 862 members: 515 male, 267 female and 80 groups. Multi-functional Rural Industry (MFRI) established --- 35 members of MEMBO (Mbola Sustainable Development Group) trained in agro-processing and value addition, including indigenous fruits; Farm input credit scheme initiated in line with SACCOS.
28. Key Achievements in Education (MDG 2) Goal: Increase the quality of education and ensure universal primary education Activities: Building and renovating classrooms; equipping with desks and text books. Launching the school meals program in partnership with communities, the Table For Two Foundation to boost student attendance, nutrition, and performance. Providing teacher training, computers, and internet access to schools Equipping schools with water points, improved latrines and electricity. Results All 17 primary schools with over 10,200 pupils have been rehabilitated and refurbished Infrastructure improvement: newly built 16 classrooms + 540 desks, 6 teachers’ houses, 17 school kitchens + improved energy stoves, 8 teachers’ offices; renovated 10 classrooms and three schools installed with solar power and provided with computers; two schools connected to national grid electricity; Improvement of learning environment: 148 school committee members trained in management, including SMP; 128 school teachers received refresher training on participatory teaching methodologies (child-centred approach); adolescent girls (class 4-7) provided with sanitary towels; 19 gender-based VIP latrines (with 106 drop holes); 34 pairs of game facilities provided for sports. Four community secondary schools built and Scholarships given to 159 secondary students (105 girls and 54 boys) from poor families (2007-2014). For details visit Connect To Learn program (www.connecttolearn.org) Computers and laptops have been distributed to schools, including those donated by Lenovo for on- and off-grid and ICT kiosks. School Meal Programmecovering over 10,200 pupils in all 17 primary schools – using food (maize) contributions from the community and from partners e.g. Table For Two Foundation. Has established Community Education Workers to influence students enrolment and attendance to schools.
29. Key achievements cont’d ….. Those facts from community members show that community has started changing their mind sets towards valuing education as the first and foremost pivot to keep them free from the wretched poverty.
30. Achievements in education delivery in the cluster Increased attendance rate: 60% (2006) to 82.2% (2012). Enrolment rate raised from 70% (2006) to 98% (2012). Girls to boys’ enrolment ratio rose from 90% over 100% in 2012 (1.03:1 ratio). Introduction of school meals in all 17 primary schools covering over 10,000 pupils now (from 7,400 in 2006). Improved school infrastructure i.e. classrooms, teachers houses, kitchens, latrines, etc; Improved performance: MVP schools being among the top ten in academic performance and sends students to government special schools. Girls scholarships (49) through Connect To Learn Program Challenges
31. School Meal Programme Cooking using three stones fire Improved cook stoves
32. Gender Equality (MDG 3) Goal: Improve gender equality and empower women. Emphasizing to parents the importance of education for girls Installing gender-separate latrines in schools Facilitating girls clubs and other girl-focused services Prioritizing maternal and reproductive health Supporting women’s participation in all levels of the project. Results Girls’ enrollment and attendance in primary and secondary and school has increased. The gender parity index for Mbola site increased to 1:03 indicating that the number of girls enrolled in school exceeds the number of enrolled boys. Number of women-run businesses, women’s cooperatives, and women in leadership roles has increased through the Millennium villages.
33. Health and Nutrition (MDGs 4, 5 and 6) Goal: Decrease rates of HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and improve maternal and child health. Activities: Training community health workers, constructing and equipping clinics, and improving nutritional security with support from partners. Distributing free bed nets, immunizations, and supplements Prioritizing maternal and newborn health through antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric care. Results: Initials interventions: Malaria Control + Treatment: WHO recommended anti-malaria drugs (ALU/coartem) used; Indoor residual spraying (IRS) conducted; Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Testing (mRDT) introduced at both the health facility and at the household level; Bed Nets (LLITNs) to all sleeping sites/universal coverage (total of 33,000 were distributed in 2007 and new 35,000 LLITNs have been distributed in 2012 to all sleeping sites in the cluster and all surrounding villages).
34. HEALTH Improved Delivery of Health Services A newly constricted dispensary at Mbola Constructed 3 new dispensaries and renovated 3 other existing health facilities. Recruited well trained & motivated staff. Introduced 60 Community Health Workers (CHWs) equipped with the necessary working tools. Regular provision of additional drugs and equipment. HIV/AIDS Control: VCT and PMCT services introduced in all 6 dispensaries. Number of adults taking an HIV test increased - many people are tested; patients receiving care + treatment; Five HIV/AIDS clubs formed; MVP/UNAIDS Collaboration with formalized since 2010; antenatal HIV testing rates are at 90%. Family planning utilization increased. Increased delivery in health facilities from 38.5 in 2007 to 99% in 2012.
35. Health cont’d ……. Malaria prevalence has dropped by 72%. Improved transport and communications: one ambulance procured. Over 160 android phones donated by Ericsson with airtime topped up by Airtel Company are used by the CHWs and project health personnel and sector coordinators. Ericsson also built three mobile phones transmission towers in the cluster and commissioned to Airtel Company. Average out patients attendance per dispensary doubled: between 2006 and 2009, mostly from neighboring villages and more people now seek medical advise and check up. E-health program (e.g. ChildCount+, CommCare) established.
36. A newly constricted dispensary at Ibiri Improved health services from additional staff
37. Health Challenges
38. Environment (MDG 7) Goal: Ensure environmental sustainability Activities and Results: Planting trees to provide fuel wood and to reforest depleted areas. Training farmers in integrated soil fertility management practices to sustainably improve harvests. Building erosion control structures to protect farmland and promote restoration of degraded lands. Most trees planted are N-Fixing and for firewood – woodlots. However, deforestation is still a main challenge in the area.
39. Environment continue…. Community and schools tree nurseries. More than 285,000 N-fixing plants distributed to selected farmers, schools and dispensaries. On average 35,250 seedlings raised in community nurseries every year. Other tree seedlings planted on farms and around schools and fields. Beekeeping:8,567 bee-keepers identified and 32 were trained (ToTs) on modern beekeeping and honey processing; 86 modern beehives + protective gear provided on credit. Number of farmers practicing compositing, inter planting, and proper fertilizer application has increased, bringing sustainable support of higher crop yields.
40. Key Achievements in Water and Sanitation (MDG 7) AFTER BEFORE BEFORE AFTER
41. Key Achievements in Water and Sanitation (MDG 7) Goal: Increase access to safer water and adequate sanitation Activities: Making improved water available closer to homes by drilling and rehabilitating wells and boreholes, installing improved new pumps, and protecting watershed areas. Installing piped water systems Building ventilated improved pit latrines Results Access to improved drinking water has increased from 13% at baseline (2006) to 66% (2013). More than 42km of water pipe have been installed in three villages of Mbola Millennium Villages cluster donated by project partner JM Eagle. Access to improved sanitation has increased from less than 2% to 40% in research villages and to only.
42. Key Achievements in Communication and Information Mobile phones (donated by Ericsson and powered by Airtel) have enhanced communications; Donated computers and laptops have improved computer literacy in the area; Media houses have visited the site - BBC, CNN, TBC, Channel Ten, Star TV, ITV, etc. have covered MVP activities on regular basis; numerous features articles in local newspapers and international papers; MVIS (Millennium Villages Information System) inaugurated in early 2010 (for details: www.millenniumvillages.org).
43. Use of improved cooking stoves in 17 primary schools and individual households. Two schools and two dispensaries in two villages connected to grid electricity. Four dispensaries installed with off-grid (solar power). Life Innovation Container donated by Panasonic Corporation. Some classrooms rehabilitated and connected with solar power. Improved communication services by provision of cell phones and three transmission towers in the cluster supported by Ericsson and Airtel companies and ambulance for referral cases. Challenges: Poor roads network: Road works is costly & high risk leading to slow implementation INFRASTRUCTURE
44. ICT SECTOR ICT training at Ibiri SS using CTL laptops Students are sharing ideas during School to School Connection
45. Late evening training sessions using Life Innovation Container at Mbola Primary School
46. Global Partnerships MVP-ERICSON & Airtel has improved connectivity MVP-Panasonic Corporation MVP-KOICA MVP-IITA MVP-UNAIDS Various international and local visitors/missions Including Vital Signs Group today
47. Major Challenges Inadequate community participation (seasonal), mainly due to weak commitment by some local leaders; Dependency syndrome by local community, which undermines self help spirit; Inadequate professional staff in all sectors at local level (health, education, agriculture, etc) - leading to slow implementation of planned activities; remoteness of Uyui/Tabora not attractive to professionals; Influx of outside patients to MVP Mbola health facilities (due to quality) thereby constraining health delivery; Dependency of ground water (boreholes, shallow wells), leading to piping at high costs; decreasing sharply of ground water levels; School meal programme constrained by inadequate community food contributions during lean years and lack of dining halls.
48. Major Challenges cont’d….. Hand hoe agriculture, erratic rainfall patterns, lack of cash/credit for farm inputs, outdated agric + animal husbandry practices and post-harvest loses; Local contributions to project activities (USD 10), mainly in kind (collection of water, stones), is constrained by gender roles, with women burdened by many HH chores; High cost of infrastructure projects (e.g. rural roads, electricity supply, etc); funding from Government and donors limited; High expectation on MVP support (both community and local leaders); Up-scaling of good lessons from MVP - doubts on integrated rural development approaches; Inadequate support from LGA - in terms of adequate provision of professional staff and other resources to ensure the MVP as proof of concept succeeds – MVP perceived as another development project.
49. The MV Scale up strategy Package Lessons from ‘What works’ Establish a National Level Collaborative framework Knowledge Development and sharing The Scaling up Strategy Develop Ambitious Government-led Strategies for Scaling up MDG Sectors Continuous Policy Reforms to Secure Sustained Government support and Funding Programme Implementation, M&E. Resource Mobilization Capacity building based on needs in the public sector
50. Sectors with good up-scaling lessons Community sensitization + engagement Integrated rural development, involving the communities themselves. Agriculture: aspects of Green Revolution/Kilimo Kwanza; smart farm input subsidies, private sector participation, value addition/processing, market access, etc. Business development and group formation/SACCOs Education: Gender parity enforcement, school meal programme, education committees; Health: functional basic health system; effective village health committees; community health workers (combined with ICT), malaria control (LLITNs, universal coverage, mRTDs, IRS), etc.; Environment: environment restoration; energy saving technologies.
51. Scalability and Integration to National Strategies Bottom line: rural communities can only achieve MDGs and escape from extreme (abject) poverty, if and when there functioning clinics, schools, safe water points and sanitation, agricultural upgrading, and roads and power - lessons from MVP seem to point out that it is feasibleto eradicate abject poverty. Some examples: (1)Expansion of existing MV clusters to larger administrative scales, such as Millennium Districts - following the minimum package approach (agriculture, health, education, water + sanitation, business development). (2) Expansion to new MV sites: Nigerian strategy to expand MVs to cover 20 million people across 36 states using own resources (HPIC relief).
52. Scalability cont’d………. (3) Targeted support to the poorest communities:  Mali has identified the 166 poorest communes (with a total population of approx. 2 million people) that require targeted cross-sectoral support, following on the MV lessons from MV Tiby; (4) National expansion of specific successful interventions:  Malawi advanced the nation- wide agricultural input support programme based on the MV Mwandama achievements;  Kenya and Tanzania used the MV experience in the distribution of LLITNs;  Tanzania (through Prime Minister’s Office) documented MVP Mbola lessons for nationwide dissemination using the minimum package approach.
53. Scalability cont’d………. (5) Rounding out service delivery among existing community development programs to “MDG-ize” them: Most community development programmes (Government or NGO - led) focus on a limited number of sectors e.g. education projects are located in different villages than water projects, which are in turn usually disconnected from income-generation projects or women’s empowerment projects and therefore the MV concept can be used (minimum package) and help other organizations identify opportunities for sectoral expansion in their initiatives, and to partner with complementary organizations. The UN’s “delivering as one,” can use the MV model for coordinating the substantive support from different development partners around a cohesive and common set of objectivese.g. UNAIDSand UNFPA are currently working closely with MVP.
54. Moving the strategies forward… Stronger country level push; stronger partnerships between MDG Centre and others a must. Serious attention to resource mobilization for district, regional and country level strategies. Stepping up the MDG ‘knowledge hub’ Linking knowledge to policy dialogue for greater impact of scaling up strategies. E.g. Parliamentarian seminar on MVP
55. Going beyond one:Millennium Villages in Tanzania: now and future Mbola MV1 & MV2 Micheweni, Pemba (MV2), Zanzibar Mserekia (MV3), Tanganyika Plantation Company (TPC) Moshi Geita Ashanti Gold Mine (MV3) Grumeti Fund (MV3), Serengeti MCI Tabora Seven agro-ecological zones of Tanzania Proposal to Government: one MV per zone (with minimum package) - strategize with PMO, MoF and other key Ministerial Departments. District Development Plans (DDP) as entry point, starting with all districts in Tabora Region, where MV Mbola is being implemented.
56. The Process: Community mobilization Heavy investments – MVP Empowerment/training Support for business development Gradual hand over management to community Community groups/cooperatives take charge Project Management/cost sharing Community and government Time The strategy now and tomorrow
57. Concluding Remarks The results after eight years of MVP implementation in Mbola (and elsewhere) have clearly demonstrated the value and feasibility of integrated community-based investments to eradicate abject poverty, compared with the conventional one-by-one investment strategies too often deployed in rural areas. Todate, the project has shown that simple interventions applied through an integrated approach can bring substantial change. The minimum package approach (agriculture, health, education, water + sanitation, business development plus community involvement) is among the lessons to speed eradication of abject poverty.
58. END Thank You for Listening