December 20, 2011
A Win-Win Strategy for Farmers and Humanitarian Aid
ACDI/VOCA Presents on Successful Training Module at WFP Meeting in Rome
Buy local: In Rwanda, the World Food Program (WFP) is taking this suggestion to heart. The humanitarian agency is addressing food insecurity and, at the same time, encouraging local agriculture by sourcing maize from Rwandan farmer-based organizations under its Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative.
To meet the high standards of WFP, the farmer groups are learning better post-harvest handling and marketing skills through the Sell More For More (SMFM) training module, which was developed by ACDI/VOCA under the USAID-funded, and Carana-led, Rwanda–Post-Harvest Handling and Storage Project.
Best Practices Shared at WFP Event
William Sparks, ACDI/VOCA’s vice president for program services, participated at the Third Annual Review of P4P in Rome, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. The event provides a forum for P4P stakeholders to share experiences and lessons learned.
To highlight the challenges faced by farmers, Sparks moderated a panel of farmer organization leaders from Guatemala, El Salvador and Kenya. Despite being from different countries, they all shared a common story of the reduced risk and increased benefits for farmers who form associations and cooperatives to pursue better market opportunities.
At a working meeting with representatives from the 21 P4P countries, Sparks presented several SMFM innovations. One is a tool called STICKS (Scalable Tracker for Imparting Certified Knowledge and Skills), a durable, double-sided document that serves as a training certificate as well as a teaching tool and monitoring device. Handling and storage information is presented on the document in a design appropriate for low-literate audiences. FBO members who receive training print and sign their names on STICKS to affirm their intent to adopt the new skills.
Another innovation is the “clicker,” a handheld audience-response device that facilitates effective focus groups in rural areas to measure training effectiveness (see article in Learning Solutions magazine).
These tools help trainers and farm organization leaders teach the SMFM practices that are leading to better produce for buyers and higher incomes for farm communities.
SMFM is a Sign of Good Quality
SMFM works through farmer-based organizations (FBOs), ranging from informal groups to formal cooperatives. The name of the training program describes its outcomes: Farmers sell more product by increasing quantity, and they sell it for more revenue by increasing quality.
SMFM improves the ability of farmer organizations to meet the quality and quantity specifications of the most demanding buyers. In Rwanda, FBOs that completed SMFM training met 100 percent of WFP’s quality standards for maize purchases. This is no small accomplishment: The standards of the WFP are among the most stringent,so selling to WFP sends a strong signal to other buyers of the product’s quality.
Both individual farmers and farmer groups benefit from SMFM training. Farmers strengthen their post-harvest handling skills and their ability to meet buyer product specifications, while FBO management teams s learn how to create and execute market-oriented business plans. This dual approach reduces individual and collective risk to farmers by empowering them to pursue specific market opportunities and fulfill buyer requirements.
Comprehensive Training Builds Co-op Capacity
SMFM uses a cascade training approach. ACDI/VOCA provides training on a series of topics ranging from farming practices to business operations to so-called lead farmers, who then teach what they have learned to other FBO members.
Post-harvest handling and storage sessions demonstrate proper cleaning, sorting and storage techniques to ensure high quality and minimize loss. Participatory workshops teach leadership, marketing, recordkeeping and operations skills to current and emerging cooperative leaders. And cooperatives receive one-on-one consultations on credit to address financial needs.
FBOs completing the SMFM program are encouraged to form a chamber or association to pursue shared services, strengthen marketing activities, instruct nascent farmer organizations and advocate on behalf of their members.
ACDI/VOCA sees SMFM as a powerful tool to strengthen the ability of farmer organizations to meet market demand, earn more money—and contribute to greater food security.
Learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s work in Rwanda, and about our work with farmer organizations.
Pictured at left: ACDI/VOCA’s William Sparks speaks at the World Food Program meeting in Rome on the innovative “Sell More for More” training module to fight food insecurity and encourage local agriculture.
