|
|
|
We focus on how to generate cash and get it into the hands of the poor.
We lead with a market based approach-> We find out what the global
marketplace wants and then we organise the farmers to produce it. At the
same time we negotiate with the players in the marketplace to ensure
that the farmers produce is bought at fair and competitive prices.
The four cornerstones of our programme are:
|
| Strength in Numbers |
| Large scale participation of farmers is necessary if we are to
make a dent on poverty. Inidividual farmers have little
bargaining power with large companies who buy their crops, but
when grouped together they become stronger and can negotiate
higher prices.
To ensure this Farmers Own organises farmers to form voluntary Self
Help Groups (SHGs) containing fifteen to thirty households.
These SHGs then join with other SHGs to form a Farmers Action
Association (FAA).
Each FAA will have a maximum of 500 households and will then
transition into independent trading companies.
However, they will receive technical and financial support from
Farmers Own until they are completely self-managing and profitable.
|
 |
| Government Support |
| Farmers Own is in partnership with the Kenyan Government.
The Minister for Planning and National Development sees the Farmers Own
approach as innovative, using local resources to increase
production and create jobs.
The Poverty Eradication Commission is making Farmers Own a key
partner in the fight against poverty. We were the leader in
establishing the Make Poverty History in Kenya campaign, with
full Government backing.
In addition the Provincial Commissioner (Western Province)
hosted the Stakeholder Meeting in Dec 2004 where 112 delegates
endorsed the programme and committed to supporting it.
|
| Guaranteed Prices |
| A contract for specific crops between a Farmers Action Association (FAA)
and Farmers Own is agreed guaranteeing a fair trade price on delivery. The products are sold by Farmers Own in domestic
and international markets with up to 82.5% of the total sale price going to farmers.
Farmers Own only takes 15% to cover costs and re-invest in training and equipment.
The (FAA) distributes all payments to the farmers.
|
| Independence and Control |
| The Farmers Action Association will employ local staff and purchase equipment whilst managing
its own bank account. Farmers Own will be monitoring and providing assistance, but we want FAAs
to become self-reliant and profitable within 5 years.
Farmers Own will continue to set up new Farmers Action Associations and help lift even more
families out of poverty.
|
|
