Applying a Person-to-Person Approach to Strengthen Value Chains in Southern Africa
Through the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program (FTF) in Southern Africa, CNFA will use targeted volunteer technical assistance to strengthen agricultural markets and improve productivity in Angola, Malawi and Mozambique. Over the life of the five-year $7.5 million program, CNFA will field over 310 volunteers to assist 100 host institutions and enterprises.
Our Farmer-to-Farmer Program is integrated with and builds on our existing agricultural development work in all three countries. To maximize volunteer impact, FTF targets specific smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives and associations hosts along key agricultural value chains chosen for their high growth potential. Each assignment builds upon previous work and complements other interventions.
We are focusing on four primary components:
- Increased agricultural sector productivity and profitability: We are using our successful value chain methodology to increase smallholder productivity and profitability. Assignments include everything from new production methods and technologies to post harvest handling, marketing and sales. Volunteers also help enterprises with business models through strategic planning and improved financial management.
- Conservation and sustainable use of environmental and natural resources: Though we aim for increased agricultural productivity, we balance our approach with responsible use of environmental and natural resources. Volunteers are providing technical assistance in water management, integrated pest management and safe use of crop protection products.
- Expanded access to financial service: We target not only traditional commercial credit, but all value chain financing opportunities including supplier credit, leasing, equity investment and commercial credit. Our expert volunteers provide guidance in development of new agricultural loan products, loan officer training, agricultural risk assessment,and business planning.
- Strong agricultural sector institutions: Healthy agribusiness and producer organizations are an essential element of developing broad-based opportunities for participation in commercially viable value chains. Frequently, they are also the most sustainable way of ensuring that farmers have access to critical services once donor projects end. Our volunteers provide technical assistance in management, processing, and marketing to such organizations along our strategic value chains.
CNFA has been successfully implementing the FTF Program since 1992 and has developed an effective model for administering the program, from recruitment of agricultural experts in the U.S. to successfully hosting volunteers in-country. Over the last 16 years, CNFA has fielded almost 1,500 volunteers in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. During the last five years of implementation in the West NIS alone, CNFA volunteers facilitated the sale of approximately $15 million in fresh and processed agricultural commodities; the extension of $20 million in rural credit; and the distribution of more than $7 million in agricultural inputs and services to farmers.
Related Links
CNFA Farmer-to-Farmer Sends First Female Volunteer to Angola
