Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

➔
Nevertheless, except for few cases where the community itself did not identify the
proper kit (incomplete fishing nets instead of complete ones) the responsibilities for
the problems are coming from ACF. The beneficiaries have been well targeted, the
programme of assistance and activities identified were relevant but some items distributed
did not allow the beneficiaries to work in good conditions.
• Recommendations
Concerning the IGA kits
• To give raw materials needed (flour, sugar, petrol…) at least for the first two or
three months of the activity. This is particularly important for the food meals
process, which requires at the beginning a lot of basic ingredients (possible to
distribute at the same time as the kit). Providing small capital used only for the
activity setting up is also an idea to be considered.
• To increase the global price of the kits to a minimum of 100 USD.
• The farming kit: fewer types of seed but more specified quantity will be more
efficient. Possibilities to develop long-term crops (cocoa, coffee, rice) and especially
rice could be considered (Maluku province is not self sufficient in terms
of rice).
Concerning the follow-up
• In order to evaluate the impact of an IGA programme a regular follow-up of some
“test” families is compulsory. Those families are in possession of a weekly in
and out book. Therefore, the families should be trained and checked on a regular
basis. This monitoring is time consuming but is the best way to observe the
real work of a family and to check motivation, improvement and possible problems.
• Training should be provided to the families who have decided to launch a new
activity.
• Action contre la Faim has ordered the construction of canoes to local contractors
but the canoes received and distributed are of very bad quality despite an
adequate budget allocated to obtain good canoes. It is the responsibility of the
logistic department to find qualitative items, to negotiate good contacts and to
follow up the process of construction thereafter.
Concerning the targeting process and the results expected
• In order to avoid misunderstanding on the items and activities identified by the
selected families, the methodology of identification of the kits should be improved:
samples of items, brand and quality requested…
• More explanations about the expected results should be discussed with the families
(hypothesis of income, places of implementation, problems to be anticipated…).
210
INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY