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Table 1 SAFE Intervention four components

From: Methods and protocol of a mixed method quasi-experiment to evaluate the effects of a structural economic and food security intervention on HIV vulnerability in rural Malawi: The SAGE4Health Study

Name of component

Objective

Output (participants, and activities)

Farmer Field School (FFS)

To improve crop production, and diversify income sources.

Through FFS, program participants practice improved farming activities, using an extension model, which promotes discovery-based learning through hands-on experimentation, critical thinking, and observation-based decision-making [24, 25].

Actively demonstrating practices such as drought risk management, the improvement of seed input, and soil conservation practices, CARE extension agents planted crops in community “study fields.”

Each FFS, consisting of approximately 25 farmers who share common farming experiences, meets regularly to follow the natural progression of the crop. These meetings included group dialogue, and reflection, as well as supplemental education sessions on topics such as HIV/AIDS, and gender empowerment training. Each improved farming activity was tested, validated, and adapted to local conditions.

Village Saving and Loan Groups (VSL)

To support food security through improving investment, and income earning opportunity at the household level.

VSLs are comprised of self-selected members who set the rules for the group.

Trainers or “Village Agents” from CARE-trained, self-selected groups operate as a functional savings and loan group. Groups were to meet at regular intervals to save money by purchasing “shares” of savings.

Governance: capacity building of local governance structures, and community institutions

To support leaders at both the Traditional Authority and village levels to better affect project implementation and community development initiatives.

Leaders are trained to conduct problem analysis, planning, development, monitoring, and implementation linked to development of village action plans, using a community assessment-based scorecard process.

Leaders utilized tools to map existing structures that support the community for improved food security. Then, to build upon these institutions, CARE trained the leaders in conducing district and community problem analysis.

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS, and gender

To integrate issues of HIV and gender into all other program components.

Facilitators conduct a gender needs assessment for men and women in regard to VSL management, and crop production practices;

Field staff is then trained to integrate gender empowerment and HIV information into in VSL management, farmer field schools, and within local institutions.