Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The programme aims at changing the performance and behaviour of existing system actors (public and private) in order to make the market system more advantageous for the beneficiaries. Using a facilitative approach, the project activities target systemic changes along three dimensions: agro-ecological, socio-political and economical. More sustainable and inclusive market systems contribute to poverty reduction and to empowerment, especially among rural women and marginalized people.

Expected results

Outcome 1: Producers and other actors strengthened their position in the selected market systems and have increased their income and profitability.

Outcome 2: Growing cross-border trade and export opportunities enable a more diversified and profitable market access for diverse producers and other market actors.

Outcome 3: System changes improve sustainably women’s access, agency and growth in the selected market systems.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries include at least 1,000 small-holder farmers (producers), among them 20% of persons belonging to ethnic minority groups; overall 50% of direct beneficiaries are women.

Indirect beneficiaries are at least 5,000 persons, including children and other family members of the direct beneficiaries.

Activities

Programme activities include, among others:

- Facilitating the cooperation between national associations and input suppliers;

- Provide trainings, e.g. on cultivation methods, business plan development, etc.;

- Facilitate the interaction between market actors with producer associations, women groups and the private sector;

- Strengthening of market actors (e.g. producer organizations) through skills development programmes and training on best agriculture practices;

- Support different platforms that facilitate information exchange between farmers, associations, and private sector actors;

- Facilitate market actors to develop business models that aim to support rural producers and women groups;

- Support national associations to carry out advocacy on issues relevant to Farmers;

- Provide legal advice (e.g. on issues of property rights on land and decision making) for women or marginalised groups, or facilitate the link to existing legal services at municipal level;

- Develop guidelines for market actors on gender equality and social inclusion in the respective value chains;

- Carry out an awareness-raising campaign on issues around gender equality, property rights in agriculture and rural economic development;

- Facilitate the access to finance and development of finance mechanisms;

Context

The agriculture sector is characterized by limited production and organizational capacity, lack of access to know how and skills as well as environmental risks. This programme contributes to more sustainable and inclusive market systems through increasing participations of producers and market actors and enhancing their income and productivity, thus contributing to poverty reduction for rural populations, particularly women and marginalized groups.