On December 15, 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Malawi Learn to Perform team presented the initial results of a final performance evaluation of the Feed the Future Agricultural Diversity Activity (AgDiv), implemented by the Palladium Group from 2016-2023.

The preliminary performance evaluation findings were presented to a small group that included staff from the USAID/Malawi Sustainable Economic Growth (SEG) office. The Mission had commissioned the evaluation to assess the extent to which the AgDiv Activity achieved its five objectives:

1. inclusive growth of agricultural incomes and employment,
2. strengthening the resiliency of smallholder farming systems,
3. improving nutritional status of women and children,
4. empowering women, and
5. advancing the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) priorities for integration.

The evaluation report (forthcoming) will provide evidence and information related to the Mission’s learning priorities, specifically in understanding how and if market-based, private sector engagement approaches contribute to sustainable economic growth, and understanding how partnerships with local, non-traditional partners contribute to sustainable development objectives. The Program Development and Analysis office will use this information in the Mission’s mid-course stocktaking, as well as in overall monitoring of the Mission’s learning agenda.