ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND VULNERABLE FARMER Empowerment

the next level: – making farming a business

THE CHALLENGE

IN AFRICA THERE ARE MANY OBSTACLES TO EARNING A LIVEABLE INCOME – ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, WHERE THERE ARE FEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES. 80% OF THE POPULATION DEPENDS ON FARMING FOR THEIR LIVELYHOOD.

MANY WELL-MEANT EFFORTS TO START AN AGRIBUSINESS FAIL DUE TO LACK OF CAPITAL AND BASIC BUSINESS SKILLS. FARMERS GROUPS, ALTHOUGH THEY MIGHT BE ENTHUSIASITIC IN THE BEGINNING, USUALLY ALSO AREN’T COHERENT ENOUGH TO SUCCEED.


OUR APPROACH

ONCE OUR FARMERS HAVE OVERCOME THEIR PERSISTENT LOW AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND FOOD INSECURITY, WE SUPPORT THEM IN PROGRESSING TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN ORDER TO GET ACCESS TO CASH TO MEET OTHER FAMILY NEEDS SUCH AS HEALTH, EDUCATION, CLOTHING, HOUSING AND ENTERTAINMENT.

WE ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE THOSE FARMERS GROUPS WITH WHOM WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR SOME TIME AND WHO HAVE SHOWN CERTAIN CAPACITIES TO ENGAGE IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES.

BUILDING ON THEIR ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN AGRICULTURE, WE ASSIST THEM IN SETTING UP AGRIBUSINESSES SUCH AS CROP PRODUCTION, PRODUCTION OF HIGH-QUALITY SEEDS, ADDING VALUE TO VARIOUS CROPS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (DAIRY GOATS, POULTRY, ETC.).

WE THEN PROVIDE FARMERS WITH

  • BUSINESS SKILLS
  • LINKEAGES TO INSTITUTIONS AND COUNTY MINISTRIES
  • ADVOCACY
  • ACCESS TO MARKET
  • AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, INTEREST-FREE MICRO CREDIT

WE ASSIST GROUPS BY KEEPING IN CLOSE CONTACT TO PROVIDE FURTHER ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

We also support schools in setting up agribusinesses to enable them to assist poor parents with school fees/expenses.

EXAMPLES OF SMALL FARMERS GROUP ENTERPRISES SUPPORTED INCLUDE:

  • ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOYA COOPERATIVE
  • A SOYA PROCESSING PLANT/Cottage Industry
  • FARMERS TRAINED IN PRODUCTION OF MARKETABLE SOYA PRODUCTS
  • SOYA BEAN PRODUCTION
  • HIGH QUALITY SOYA SEED PRODUCTION
  • TOMATO PRODUCTION
  • POULTRY REARING
  • RABBIT BREEDING
  • DAIRY GOAT BREEDING
  • SOLAR DRYING OF VARIOUS VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
  • PRODUCTION OF HIGH-QUALITY SEEDS
  • PASSION FRUIT PRODUCTION
  • HARDENING OF TISSUE-CULTURED BANANAS
  • ALV (AFRICAN LEAFY VEGETABLE) PRODUCTION

Our experience has taught us that success is only guaranteed when we work with farmers whom we have known for some time and who have already shown a very strong commitment. We have also realized that only teaching managerial skills to smallholders but not providing them with seed money doesn’t work.

We are proud of giving interest-free micro credit facilities to our farmers.

SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS – giving a helping hand out of extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition


"HELPING FARMING FAMILIES INCREASE PRODUCTION IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY, AND SELL MORE CROPS, IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE HUNGER AND POVERTY OVER THE LONG TERM"

(Bill Gates)

"GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH. IT NEEDS SELF-SUSTAINING SOLUTIONS"

(40 CHANCES, HOWARD G. BUFFET)

"IT IS THE MOST VULNERABLE WHO BEAR THE BIGGEST BURDEN"

(Brigitte Frey)

Impressions

Founder with Young Entrepreneur
Soya seed production
Seed producer
Propagation of Passion fruit agri business
Girl in her parents commercial tree nursery
After harvest
Producing soya seeds for SOFDI to pass on to other farmers