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1903E Ayalitas IGA 36-Month Evaluation Report (Form. 10-24-23)

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1903E Ayalitas Planned Community Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) 36-Month Evaluation ReportProject SnapshotData CollectionProject Participants' CharacteristicsIn-Country Partner54 families Timeline2022 - 2023San Esteban Catarina municipality,San Vicente departmentProject participants have an average of about 2.99 acres (1.76 manzanas) of landavailable for their use. Of this land, however, they only own about 1.65 acres (0.97manzanas), with the remaining leased. An average of about 2.13 acres (1.25manzanas) is dedicated to agricultural production. 1. In El Salvador, Food For The Poor (FFTP) works with the New Horizons for the Poor Foundation (FUNHOPO by its Spanish name).2. The number of respondents has decreased since the last evaluation, possibly due to migration.1IGAs contribute to achieving the SCD goal of improving the quality and stability of projectparticipants’ livelihoods through the following activities:Animal Farms Basic Grains Macro-Tunnels BocashiThe visit focused on planting seasons and animal rearing during 2022 and early2023. On this visit, six surveyors gathered information from 46 respondents.Approximately 83% of household income is derived from agricultural activities. 12

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Findings per IGA Animal Farms This project includes IGAs involving the rearing of two animals pigs and laying hens While the pig IGA continues to have the highest number of participants 3 the number of participants who own pigs has decreased since the 24 month evaluation Twenty six families currently own an average of four pigs and 34 of families purchased pigs in the last six months Sixty six percent of families sold an average of five pigs in the last six months earning 276 67 This represents a 12 decrease in the number of families who were able to sell pigs in the 24 month evaluation The sales revenue also showed a 37 decrease The ages of the pigs sold varied from one month to two years with a continued lack of standardized pricing For example the price for a two month old pig varied from 40 to 200 Consumption of pigs among families remains low with only 13 consuming the meat However compared to the 24 month evaluation this percentage has slightly increased by approximately 3 to 4 This woman and her family participate in the pig IGA In the laying hens IGA 22 families participated However only 18 reported purchasing new laying hens in the last six months This number decreased from the 12 month evaluation where all families reported recent purchases All but one family currently owns laying hens with an average of 21 hens Families collect an average of 16 eggs per day Seventy seven percent of families allocate an average of 80 eggs for monthly household consumption In April 2023 16 families sold eggs mainly in 30 egg cartons and earned an average of 54 54 This chicken coop holds a family s laying hens 3 Currently 34 participants are engaged in the pig IGA however only the 32 participants who responded to the 24month evaluation were used for a comparison 2

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All 18 farmers also planted corn during thiscultivation season. They used an average of about2.38 acres (1.4 manzanas) of land and harvestedabout 3,876 pounds (38.22 quintals) of corn.Of this total, they devoted about 1,460.35 pounds(14.4 quintals) of beans to household consumption.They sold the remainder on the open market, used itto pay for land or stored it for later consumption. Allbut one farmer sold their corn, earning an average ofabout $0.42 per pound ($42.20 per quintal) and$492.63 for the season.When compared to the previous evaluation, landusage and production quantities only presentedslight differences. For example, farmers had a similarproduction as the previous season, but the amount 3There are 28 participants involved in the basic grainsIGAs. However, for this evaluation, only the 18participants who responded to the 24-monthevaluation were used for a comparison.All 18 farmers planted beans during the October2022 to January 2023 cultivation season. They usedan average of about 1.36 acres (0.8 manzanas) ofland and harvested about 801.16 pounds (7.9quintals) of beans.Of this total, they devoted about 233.25 pounds (2.3quintals) of beans to household consumption. Theysold the remainder on the open market, used them topay for land or stored them for later consumption.Thirteen farmers sold their beans, earning an averageof about $0.84 per pound ($85.38 per quintal) and$376.15 for the season.Basic GrainsThis project also includes IGAs involving two basic grains: beans and corn. This bean season saw a 55% increase in production from the 24-month evaluation, which alsoresulted in a higher portion of production devoted to household consumption. Additionally, morefavorable market prices resulted in an increase of over $200.00 in earnings. 24M 36M Change 7.9 Q Harvested6.3 Q Harvested1.88 Q Consumed$376.15Season'searnings2.3 Q Consumed$147.42Season'searnings24M 36M Change 38.05 Q Harvested38.22 Q Harvested17 Q Consumed14.4 Q Consumed$474.75Season'sEarnings$492.63Season'sEarningsdevoted to household consumption decreased by 14%. On the other hand, more favorable marketprices resulted in a 3.79% increase in earnings.

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Macrotunnels For the macrotunnel IGA 17 participants planted tomatoes and peppers However only the 15 participants who responded to the 24 month evaluation were used for a comparison For the October 2022 to December 2022 cultivation season 10 farmers planted tomatoes The remaining five farmers either lost their tomato harvests due to soil and pest issues or they chose to plant other crops such as cucumbers this season The farmers who planted used an average of about 0 01 acres 47 square meters of land and harvested 818 pounds 16 36 javas of tomatoes Of this total they devoted 70 pounds 1 4 javas to household consumption and sold 565 pounds 11 3 javas They used the remainder to pay for land or stored them for later consumption This farmer grew his peppers in this macrotunnel More farmers engaged in pepper production this season with 14 farmers planting Only one farmer could not plant due to soil and pest issues The farmers who planted used an average of about 0 01 acres 48 square meters of land and harvested 18 64 bags with 100 peppers each Of this total they devoted 1 18 bags to household consumption and sold 17 21 bags They used the remainder to pay for land or stored them for later consumption Here is an exterior view of a macrotunnel 24M 36M Change 20 1 Javas 16 36 Javas Harvested Harvested 1 4 Javas 1 4 Javas Consumed Consumed 216 60 Season s Earnings 173 55 Season s Earnings 24M 36M Change 33 7 Bags 18 64 Bags Harvested Harvested 1 12 Q 1 18 Bags Consumed Consumed 460 73 Season s Earnings 248 57 Season s Earnings 4

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5BokashiFor the bokashi IGA, farmers recentlycompleted their fifth production cycle.Production for this cycle decreasedfrom about 30,728.14 to 26,367.38pounds (303 to 260 quintals). Sales for this cycle decreased from$1,393.80 to $1,196.00. Even thoughproduction costs slightly decreased aswell, the net profit for this cycle wasstill lower than the previous cycle.24M 36M Change 4th Cycle5th CycleProductionSalesProduction Expenses260 Q303 Q$1,393.80 $1,196.00$1,139.53 $1,009.10Conclusion and RecommendationsThe IGAs continue to play a dual role in foodavailability and some income generation.However, activity within the IGAs — as well asproduction in most cases — decreased whencompared to the 24-month evaluation.For the pig IGA, some families engaged ingood breeding practices, feeding and generalcare, resulting in sustained growth inproduction. On the other hand, some penswere neglected or will require additionalreinforcement, which could account for thedrop in production in some families. Additionally, some families mentioned thattheir Rajerro pigs were not yielding the resultsthat they expected.44. Rajerro refers to non-castrated pigs.Many families are caring for their pigs well, ensuring thatnew generations of piglets are raised properly.

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6Bean farmers pointed out that this cycleyielded low production, prompting many toconsider making changing their crops.Regarding the macrotunnels, some farmershave diversified their crops. Instead of plantingtomatoes and peppers, they opted to plantcucumbers, green beans, cabbage and otherfruits and vegetables. Additionally, pest-related challenges haveaffected the growth of tomatoes and peppers,leading to decreased production.Furthermore, there is still a systematic lack ofregularly recording production and sales data. Conduct a market study focusing on trades or services that are in demand in the area toexplore alternative employment opportunities for participants. Enhance participants’ administrative skills, particularly in the area of record-keeping. Explore environmentally friendly and pest-resistant agricultural inputs.Therefore, recommendations include the following initiatives:1.2.3.Even though some of these recommendations were already included in the 24-monthevaluation report, it is crucial to revisit and reinforce them.This farmer stands in front of his macrotunnel.