Smallholder Needs Assessment
Involvement of smallholder farmers in production for export markets can lead to poverty alleviation in Africa. This potential though is threatened by increased traceability regulations and other measures imposed by importer countries, including the European protocols. Africa Now was actively involved in developing the Ethical Trading Initiative(ETI) guidelines on smallholders for applying ethical sourcing principles to these farmers.
Assessments involve a team interviewing a target group of smallholders to determine their constraints and needs. Africa Now has experience working in Kenya and Zambia, and has worked with a UK based coffee importer in Rwanda, helping producers to access the UK market and overcome the challenges they face after the 2004 genocide.
As an observer role at the Horticultural Ethical Business Initiative (HEBI), Africa Now, together with the British Government and The Royal Netherlands Embassy, seeks to promote better ethical practices in Kenyan horticulture.
Our methodology
Following the ETI smallholder guidelines, Africa Now's smallholder assessments draw on a variety of participatory methods including focus group discussions of homogenous smallholder groups and individual interviews. Africa Now uses visual representations such as mapping, role play, and problem ranking exercises that can be facilitated during the focus group discussions.
Africa Now helps marginalised smallholders with:
- Knowledge of higher value products
- Techniques and equipment to process their crops to add value to them when they are sold
- Training in small business skills such as planning, budgeting, financial and legal knowledge
- Market knowledge: when and how to get the best prices for their products, what standards are required for the export market, and how to meet them
- Links to financial services: not only loans, but also secure deposits, savings, leasing arrangements, mortgages and insurance
Clients include: Taylors of Harrogate, Diageo and Union Coffee Roasters