Table 2 Description of cost centers and data sources

Community sensitization

Time dedicated to sensitizing community, including local authorities, at beginning of program, by ACF staff and Agritex Extension Officers.

Review of financial documents, time allocation interviews with program and supervisory staff, interviews with Agritex and MDM staff.

Time dedicated by MDM staff (supervisory staff, field staff and community volunteers) in sensitizing Support Groups.

Garden set-up

Costs involved in the first months of garden set-up, including costs for constructing gardens and water points, and time dedicated by ACF staff, beneficiaries, and Agritex staff when setting up the gardens.

Review of financial documents, time allocation interviews with LIG beneficiaries, shadow value of garden land as determined by local authorities, time allocation interviews with program and supervisory staff, and interviews with Agritex staff.

Training and capacity building

Costs involved in training both staff and beneficiaries. Cost of beneficiary time in Agritex training sessions on general agricultural techniques (beyond those specifically related to LIGs), time spent by Agritex Extension officers in LIG training sessions and other general agricultural trainings conducted in these communities. Costs of training sessions and refresher training for MDM's CBCs.

Review of financial documents, time allocation interviews with program and supervisory staff, and LIG beneficiaries, and interviews with Agritex and MDM staff.

Garden upkeep and monitoring

Costs involved in upkeep and monitoring of gardens. All beneficiary time spent tending gardens, and an estimate of income from vegetable sales. Agritex Extension Officer time spent monitoring gardens. MDM staff time spent monitoring support groups with gardens (supervisory staff, field staff and community volunteers).

Review of financial documents, time allocation interviews with program and supervisory staff, and LIG beneficiaries, and interviews with Agritex and MDM staff. Focus group discussions with LIG beneficiaries.

Conservation farming

ACF costs to implement and monitor CF activities implemented as a pilot project within the broader LIG program.

Review of financial documents, time allocation interviews with program and supervisory staff.