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Vol. 8. No.3 |
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NECOFA NEWSLETTER
Capacity Building International, Germany ( Established through the merger of CDG II and DSE ) InWEnt gGmbH Rural and Agricultural Development, Development Management Division Wielinger Str. 52 D-82340 Feldafing Germany Tel: ++49 8157 / 938 - 0 Fax: ++49 8157 / 938 - 777 email: feldafing@inwent.org
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International Centre North South Dialogue
P.O.Box 1361 D-37203 Witzenhausen Germany Tel: ++49 5542 / 502 - 9173 Fax: ++49 5542 / 502 - 9175 email: info@icnsd.org |
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
PARTNERSHIP IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “MARKET – LEAD ORGANIC FARMING INITIATIVE” IN SIX PILOT PROJECTS OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE
Entered into by and between
THE LIMPOPO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN ITS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(Hereinafter referred to as "THE DEPARTMENT”)
(Duly represented by Mr MBJ Maloa in his capacity as the Head of the Department)
AND
THE NETWORK FOR ECOFARMING IN AFRICA – SA HEREIN AS NECOFA - SA– (Hereinafter referred to as “NECOFA - SA”)
(Duly represented by Peter Komane in his capacity as NECOFA Co-ordinator
AND
(JOINTLY HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS ‘THE PARTIES”)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
INDEX
1. BACKGROUND
2. DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATIONS AND AGREEMENT
2.1. Definitions
2.2. Interpretations
2.3. Agreement
3. PURPOSE
4. OBJECTIVES
5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6. DURATION
7. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
8. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
9. PERFOMANCE
10. MANAGEMENT
11. CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS
12. BREACHES AND TERMINATIONS
13. PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT
14. LIENS AND CLAIMS BY A THIRD PARTY
15. INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
16. FORCE MAJEURE
17. ASSIGNMENT
18. CONFIDENTIALITY
19. GORVENING LAWS AND JURISDICTION
20. NOTICES AND DOMICILLIUM
21 SIGNATURES
1 BACKGROUND
1.1 LIMPOPO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUTURE (LDA)
Since 1998, LDA through the BASED program focused on the reorientation of services for the mobilisation and self-organisation of rural communities aimed at better articulating service demands and managing the institutional responses of public service organisations. The BASED program was implemented within the service delivery systems of LDA through the technical support of the German Development Co-operation (GTZ).
Through BASED program, a participatory extension approach (PEA) was developed to address community development issues such as; how to get the rural people organized and articulate their demand, how to make farmers innovate and explore options for change and how to coordinate provision of serves at community level.
One of the major impact areas in the use of PEA is the development of strong farmer-based local organisations. In relation to this impact area, the attainment of the following specific results is envisaged from the partnership:
• Representative smallholder farmer organisations increase income from farming and sustainably manage natural resources by establishing effective linkages with service providers
• Horizontal village organisations (Umbrella Organisations) voice their demands for the provision of services in the various developments to address developmental needs also outside agriculture
• Mechanisms for primary stakeholder consultation orient the formulation of the Department of Agriculture strategic areas
The BASED farmer organisational system:
The establishment of Umbrella Organisations (UOs) is seen as a form of social innovation for the co-ordination and reorganisation of smallholder farmers and other interest groups at community level. UOs are horizontal and non-hierarchical organisations at village level formed by representatives of the different self-help groups (including non–agricultural groups). They co-ordinate group planning processes and facilitate the establishment of linkages with service providers and modern and traditional authorities.
Since the end of 2002 networking activities of the different UOs in the different districts have let to a democratically elected and representative task team. It is mandated from the basis to establish a farmer based development association (Limpopo Smallscale farmers Organisation, LSFO) at provicial level. LSFO is supposed to mobilise other communities to disseminate self-organisational models and sustainable rural livelihood (SRL) principles and values, such as self-reliance, unity and co-operation. At the same time, LSFO is supposed to start networking initiatives at provincial level with other farmer groups to broaden its affiliated groups and to make more visible smallholder farmer organisations and demands. Moreover the LSFO should represent smallholder farmers’ interests and demands in key strategy development events organised by LDA . Currently, LSFO has just been registered as a legal entity in JuLy 2006 and is now regarded as a formal farmer-based association.
Through the joint support of LDA/BASED and NECOFA, the existing farmer organisations could have the potential to expand their membership basis and establish Organic Farming Producer Associations to strengthen and channel organic production, respective services and linkages with markets. LSFO has already nurtured the Seed Growers Service Co-op as a farmer-controlled enterprise (FCE). Similarly to this process it is envisaged that LSFO becomes the major promoter for the development of Limpopo Organic Farming “Cooperative” as FCE.
1.2 NECOFA - SA
NECOFA SA aims at acting as a forum to support local, provincial and national activities promoting organic farming and sociologically sustainable land use and management in South Africa.
The key working areas of NECOFA are the following:
• Assisting national groups and members to sensitize political and administrative decision makers regarding issues of Organic Farming and GMOs, to elaborate information and extension materials and to realize meetings, information and training workshops.
• Providing a platform of experience exchange, exchange of research results and coordination of new applied research projects to prevent unproductive repetitions.
• Providing scientific and conceptual advise to its members regarding planning and performance of small-scale participatory projects in Organic Farming.
Within these key areas the specific objectives of NECOFA are to:
• Coordinate organic farming activities within and outside South Africa
• Ensure the effective implementation of organic farming practices
• Facilitate exchange of information and achievements in organic farming research and extension at national and regional level
• Solicit internal and external resources for organic farming development in South Africa
• Promote small-scale projects on organic farming and seed security at grass root level
• Train farmers, extension agents, NGO staff, policy makers, teachers and researchers on the concept of organic farming and GMOs
• Commit members to implement Organic Farming Programmes and raise their concerns around the negative impacts of GMO program at grass root level
• Publish a quarterly news letter under the title NECOFA NEWSLETTER
NECOFA-SA has identified and co-ordinated a team of expert service providers, who will beneficiate all aspects of the organic value chain. These service providers are all NECOFA-SA members, who are contracted to provide services as defined on a project-by-project basis according to project needs, structure, budget and schedule and will be managed by NECOFA-SA. NECOFA SA is co-ordinated by Mr. Peter Komane.
1.3 BENFICIERIES OF THE MoU
The beneficiaries of this MOU are the pilot areas that have been selected after an audit on the situation analysis based on a set of criteria. The project are: Ikageng (Sekhukhune district), MTN ( Bohlabela District), Mabio 3 (Capricorn District), Nkomamonta (Mopani District), Lambani (Vhembe District) and Letlapapula (Waterberg District).
2 DEFINITIONS INTERPRETATIONS AND AGREEMENT
2.1 DEFINTIONS
In this agreement the following expressions bears the meaning assigned to them below and the cognate expressions bears corresponding meanings:
• “LDA” means the Limpopo Department of Agriculture
• “NECOFA – SA ” means Network for Ecofarning in Africa – South Africa
• “BASED” means Broadening Agricultural Services and Extension Delivery
• “FCE” means Farmer-Controlled Enterprises
• “GMO” means Genetically Modified Organisms
• “GTZ” means German Development Cooperation
• “MoU” means Memorandum of Understanding
• “NGO” means Non-Governmental Organisation
• “SRL” means Sustainable Rural Livelihood
• “UO” means Umbrella Organisation
• “LSFO” means Limpopo Smallscale Farmers Organisation
2.2 INTERPRETATIONS
2.2.1 Words referring to the singular also includes the plural and vice versa.
2.2.2 Reference to a natural person also includes juristic persons, corporations, associations, partners, government authorities and other legal entities and natural persons.
2.3 THE AGREEMENT
This document contains the entire agreement between the parties. Neither party will have any right or remedy arising from any undertaking, warranty, not included in this document.
3 PURPOSE
LDA through the BASED project established the smallholder farmer representatives organisation as a social innovation to promote coordination, self-reliance and sustainable rural livelihood in the province. In order to increase the option for production and income generation, the Department intense to explore organic farming potential for the benefit of smallholder farmers. It is therefore necessary for the Department to seek strategic partners to create awareness, to give training to extension officers and farmers, to conduct trials, to investigate markets etc. In view of NECOFA been the largest network of organisations in South Africa involved in organic farming, it will be beneficiary for LDA to collaborate with them to benefit the smallholder farmers in organic farming. Organic farming aims at conserving natural resources, biodiversity and long-term sustainable agriculture. It largely excludes pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Instead it focuses on biological processes such as composting and other measures to maintain soil fertility, natural pest control and diversifying crops and livestock.
Smallholder farmers would benefit from growing organic. Producing in small scale, without pesticides, using compost and manure as fertilizers, they are not able compete with well-established large commercial farmers; but they would benefit from growing for an organic niche market. Introducing Limpopo smallholder farmers organisations to organic farming and linking them to markets for organic products would improve their income potentials, increase environmental and economical sustainability of farming activities and thus strengthen farmers’ productivity and self-reliance.
Other farmer associations, like the NECOFA farmer organisations in Limpopo, have already engaged with organic farming and indigenous seeds. They can contribute with experiences in organic farming and at the same time strengthen their networking activities with six selected pilots and other farmer organisations in the province
4 OBJECTIVES
The overall goal of the collaborative work of LDA and NECOFA is to promote and support smallholder farmers in organic farming.
More specifically the objectives of the partnership are as follows:
• Promote organic farming by supporting the six selected pilot projects.
• Create awareness within six selected pilot projects about the potential of eco-farming. Introduce organic farming methods to six selected pilot projects farmers and exchange with already established organic farmers within NECOFA organisations.
• Investigate and develop the markets for organic farming products for smallholder farmers in Limpopo Province. Identify markets, connect six selected pilot projects to these markets and enable them to sell their respective produce.
• Share research information and results.
• Train farmers and EOs in organic farming.
• Support the development and registration of organic farming associations. Forster the creation of organised FCEs in the six selected pilot projects.
• Create linkages with different institutions to mobilise resources and services for training and knowledge exchange for organic smallholder farmers and farmer groups’ representatives.
• Support small-scale farmers to become self-reliant entrepreneurs, along commodity production lines.
5 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.2 LDA shall
5.2.1 Take care of the facilitation of stakeholder platforms, farmers meetings and extension support to the six pilots
5.2.2 Organise and coordinate workshops and meetings for organic farming activities that cater both farmers, extension officers, scientist, researchers and service providers
5.2.3 Fund the workshops and meetings for accommodation, catering, workshop stationary and training materials (full details, see the Appendix 1)
5.3 NECOFA – SA shall
5.3.1 Identify, contract and monitor service providers in their implementation along the value – chain
5.3.2 Raise funding for coordination and administration, facilitation, mentoring, and travelling of the service providers
5.3.3 Organise provincial, national, regional and international events for the promotion of organic farming initiative and concept
5.3.4 Facilitate exchange programmes, education and training workshops for both officers and farmers.
5.3.5 Use their network to link the LPDA with the outside world for information, market and innovations.
6 DURATION
The partnership will be effective from 01 December 2006 to 31 December 2007 with a possibility of extension to a period of one years from 01 January 2007 to 31 January 2008.
7 IMPLEMENTING TEAM COMPOSITION
Districts/ Head Office Name Designation/ responsibilities
Head office Ramaru M.J.
Lebona A.M.
Mkhari J Provincial coordinator
Assistant coordinator
Researcher
Vhembe Mphephu M.E. Ward officer for Lambani farmers
Nkhumeleni R. Crop scientist
Mamanyuha L. Soil scientist
Dlomu P. BASED coordinator
Bohlabela Mohuba M.M. Ward officer for MTN – Acornhoek
Malomane M.C. Crop scientist
Lubisi I.M. BASED coordinator
Capricorn Masola L.S. Ward officer for Mmaboi community trust
Maheya N.T. Crop scientist
Seabi F.T. Soil scientist
Mamabolo Z. BASED coordinator
Waterberg Sithole H.T. Ward officer for Letlapa Pula Farm
Murutse H.M. Crop scientist
Mahlakoane F. BASED coordinator
Sekhukhune Dikgole W.R. Ward officer for Strydkraal
Mello M.K. Crop scientist
Ntsoane S.E. Soil scientist
Sibanyoni M.E. BASED coordinator
Mopani Mayimela G.E. Ward officer for Tzaneen farms
Ntini/ Nkuna L.K. Crop scientist
Chauke L.K. Soil scientist
Mabasa M. BASED coordinator
NECOFA Peter Komane Biowatch outreach and Necofa Co-ordinator
Andrew Brook smith Organic Farm Group Limpopo Coordinator and organic farmer
Mabula Mabulane Lemathari field officer
8 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The LDA shall pay for the costs of accommodation, meals and facilitation materials for all the workshop and meetings held with the farmers, extension officers, scientist, researchers and service providers. NECOFA will pay for the services provided by the service providers towards their facilitation, training and provision of mentoring support processes. See appendix 1(activity plan for Limpopo market – lead organic farming – June 2006 – December 2007).
9 PERFOMANCE
Services shall be rendered in accordance with the activity - plan appearing on appendix 1 of this agreement (June 2006 – April 2007). These services are categorised as follows:
Component 1: Awareness creation and strengthening of the project groups (August – September 2006)
• Getting the feel of the pilots for reviewing the plans
• Establishing and strengthening of the committees
• Facilitating group guidelines and constitutions
Component 2: Extension officer and farmers raining in organic farming (October – November 2006)
• Training of extension officers, scientist and municipal officers as trainees
• Training of extension officers and scientists as trainers of farmers
• Orientation of farmers in all the pilots to the basics of organic farming
• Advanced training of selected farmers at the training centres
Component 3: Extension officer and farmers training in organisation development (February – March 2007)
• Training of extension officers, scientist (and municipal mangers) as trainers
• Training of farmers on organisational development with the help of the extension officers
• Facilitation of a forum of farmers in Limpopo on organic farming
• Legal registration of the pilot groups and the Limpopo forum on organic farming
• Strengthening the forum
Component 4: Certification training (April – June 2007)
• On – site training
• Start the registration process as organic producers
Component 5: Post harvest training ( July – August 2007)
• On – site, harvest time visits
Component 6: Enterprise training (September – December 2007)
• On – site enterprise skills training
• Pack house visits
• Processing plants visits
• Wholesaler and supermarket visits
Component 7 Feedback and monitoring and evaluation (On going )
10 MANAGEMENT
The management and supervision of the “Market – lead organic farming initiative”” shall be the responsibility of the project management composed by J. Ramaru, M. Lebona (LDA) and P. Komane (NECOFA). However, there steering committee composed of members from LDA and NECOFA has been established and is chaired by E. Kganyago (The senior manager of Capricorn District). This high body committee is responsible for decision making and provision of strategic direction. There will also be continuous reflection and sharing by the implementation team to feedback the lessons back into the process.
11 CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS
11.1.If a dispute of any nature arises between the parties, upon the written request of either party, parties will jointly appoint a mediator who does not have any relation with any of the parties in the contract to meet with parties for purposes of resolving the dispute. The representatives shall discuss the matter in dispute amicably. No formal proceedings may be commenced until either one or both of the designated representatives conclude in good faith that there are no prospects of solving the dispute through negotiations.
11.2. If the matter remain unresolved or if the parties do not agree to refer
dispute for arbitration, they may at the instance of either party, proceed with litigations in court.
12 BREACH AND TERMINATION
12.1 Should either party (“the defaulting party”) fail to perform any of its obligations under this agreement or commit a breach of any material provision of this agreement and:-
12.1.1 If such failure or breach is remediable, fail to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of the other party (“the non-defaulting party”) calling upon it in writing to do so, then the non-defaulting part shall be entitled (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may have in terms of this agreement or in law, including the right to claim damages) to claim specific performance or terminate this Agreement
12.2. If such failure or breach is remediable, fail to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of the other party (“the non- defaulting party”) calling upon it in writing to do so, then the non- defaulting part shall be entitled (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may have in terms of this agreement or in law, including the right to claim damages) to Claim specific performance including the right to claim damages) to claim specific performance or terminate this agreement
12.2.1. If such failure or breach is incapable of being remedied, then the defaulting party shall be entitled to either claim damages, subject to clause 11 and/ or terminate this Agreement.
12.2 In the event that the defaulting party:-
12.2.1 Passes a resolution for its voluntary winding up (whether provisional or final); or
12.2.2 is placed under provisional or final liquidation; or
12.2.3 is placed under judicial management (whether subject to a final or provisional order); or
12.3. Makes an arrangement or attempts to compromise with its creditors generally or makes an application to a court of law to protect it from its creditors, then the non-defaulting party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the defaulting party.
12.2.4. Commits any act of insolvency as defined in the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 as read with the Companies Act 61 of 1973.
13 PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT
13.1.All the materials, documents, or any property of the Department supplied to the service provider by the Department on or behalf of the Department remains the property of the Department and shall be returned to the Department on or before the completion of the project.
14 LIENS AND CLAIMS BY A THIRD PARTY
14.1 NECOFA waives all liens and rights of possession relating to the service:
14.2. If a third party makes a claim against the Department for anything connected with the service, NECOFA shall:
14.2.1. After notification by the department deal with such a claim in such a manner as to avoid all prejudice to the Department;
14.2.2 And keep the Department fully informed or;
14.2.3 Alternatively the Department may deal with such a claim at its own discretion in which event NECOFA will render to the Department all the necessary assistance.
15 INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
15.1. The parties’ total liability shall not exceed the payment of/or
claim for the excess payable towards each other’s insurer.
15.2. The parties shall be solely responsible for and hereby indemnify
each other and hold each other free and harmless from any and all
claims of a special indirect or consequential nature, except where
specifically stipulated otherwise in this agreement for specific
classes of claims and damages, and provided that such loss,
damages, or claims are not a direct result of the willful acts or
omission/ and or negligence of any event which could reasonable
have foreseen on the part of the DEPARTMENT, NECOFA, their
agents, assignees and employees.
16 FORCE MAJEURE
16.1 For purposes of this clause 13, "force majeure" shall mean any act, omission or circumstance relied on by one of the parties to this agreement as an event over which that party could not reasonably have exercised control which shall, without limitation, include inability to secure labour, materials, pass supply, or by reason of an act of God, or civil disturbances, riot, state of emergency, strike, lock-out or other labour disputes, fire, flood, drought, legislation, burglary or theft.
16.2 Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to
perform its obligations pursuant to this agreement if such delay is due to force majeure.
16.3. The party incapable of performing its obligations in terms of this agreement due to an event of force majeure shall immediately notify the other party in writing of the reasons and cause of its inability to perform and shall submit an estimated duration of such inability to perform.
16.4. The party incapable of performing shall, at no cost to the other party, take reasonable steps, if any, available to it, to shorten the duration and to avoid the cause of the inability to perform and shall keep the other party informed of all steps taken to enable performance under this agreement. If a delay or failure to perform a party's obligations due to force majeure exceeds 60 (sixty) days, either party may immediately terminate the agreement upon providing notice to the other party.
16.5. If this agreement is terminated pursuant to clause 13.4 above:-
16.5.1. The Parties shall not be obliged to release further monies to the other party in respect of project affected by the event of other party in respect of project affected by the event of force majeure; and
16.5.2. The parties shall not be obliged to refund money previously paid to it pursuant to this agreement in respect of research projects it pursuant to this agreement in respect of research projects which;-
16.5.2.1 has already been utilised in the execution of the research project concerned; or
16.5.2.2. is legally payable to a third party in connection with the execution of the relevant research project/s.
17 ASSIGNMENT
Neither party to this agreement shall have the right to cede any right or delegate any obligation in terms of this agreement to any third party without the prior written approval of the other party
18 CONFIDENTIALITY
18.1 The parties agrees to hold each other’s confidential information in the strictest confidence, not to make use of thereof other than for the performance of the obligations under the agreement and release such material and information only if the other party has waived the right to confidentiality in respect of such material or information or if required by the operation of law;
18.2 Neither party will use the name of the other party or of any other party to the agreement in publicity release or advertising, nor for other promotional purposes, without securing the prior written approval of the party concerned;
18.3 Both parties, obligations in terms of this clause shall survive the completion of the agreement.
19 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
19.1 The laws of the Republic of South Africa shall govern the Agreement.
The parties agrees to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of South Africa All parties shall choose a domicillium citandi et executandi In the Republic of South Africa
“CUT AND TAKEN AWAY IS THE PLOUGH, FROM A FOOLISH MAN’S GATE”
Asfaw Tihune
NECOFA-Ethiopia
It is a paradox seeing “The Son of the River Nile dying of thirst”. The River Nile, the longest river in the world, traveling a distance of more than 3000 kms could have quenched the thirst of millions. Yet, the Amhara saying goes on “the Son of River Nile is suffering of thirst”. A synonym of this paradoxical saying is made the title of this article, “Cut and Taken Away is the Plough from A foolish man’s Gate”.
Ethiopia, a country known for its wealth of biodiversity, is equally bestowed with the diversity –in- unity of nations and nationalities. The sayings mentioned in the paragraph foregone are common in Ethiopia, though originated from one of the Ethiopian nationalities, the Amhara. The popularity of the sayings emanates from the century long political domination of the Amhara nationality over the other nationalities of the Country. Whatever so, the saying holds true not only in Ethiopia, but for the whole South World who are either directly or indirectly denied to use their resources for their own benefit. Of course, this article is not intended to popularize the sayings of the Amhara nationality. As another saying of these people goes,” An issue raises another issue”, the article is meant to bring an issue that best satisfies the sayings to bring to light through the publication of NECOFA- NEWS.
The Ethiopian media, both government owned and the private press, have been reporting the controversy over the brand naming of the prototype coffee of Yirgachaffee, the Ethiopian globally known as one of the varieties with the best flavor. The effort of the responsible Ethiopian Institution to obtain patent right by labeling this specific coffee variety, met a fierce challenge by a world famous US roasting company, the Starbucks. The media also reported that the sole owners and producers of the coffee, the poor Ethiopian farmers are disadvantaged by losing an estimated USD 80 million annually by not having the patent right of the commodity. The opposite side of the coin necessarily reads who gains from the loss of the Ethiopian farmers. It simply implies that some inappropriate body reaps millions at the cost of the sufferings and impoverishment of the poor Ethiopian farmers. “ The Son of River Nile Suffering of Thirst” or “A Plough Being Cut and Taken Away from a Foolish Man’s Gate”.
But how the farmer is made foolish, or by whom he is made foolish, is so wide a topic not to be made the point of analysis of this article. Yet, it is definitely true that the farmers of the developing world, Ethiopian farmers included, are not bestowed with foolishness from the Heavens.
Oromiyaa is one of the Regional National Governments of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Regional National Government is known for its largest area and population in Ethiopia. In addition, it is the richest region regarding natural resource wealth. The most often spoken fact about the origin of Arabic coffee in Ethiopia is truly based in the current Oromiyaa Regional National Government. Not only Oromiyaa is the original home of coffee, but more than 60% the country’s production and coffee plantations are based in this Region. It is quite obligatory that whenever coffee is mentioned, Oromiyaa and small farmer producers are the direct concern. Analyzed in relation to the topic of this article, it is the Oromoo small coffee producers from whose gate the plough is cut and taken away, and it is the Oromoo small coffee producers who are living by the side of River Nile but dying of thirst.
It is an unambiguous fact that small farmers in the South do not have any control over their agricultural commodities. This is truer in consuming countries, where the ultimate products of the farmers are under the monopolized control of giant roaster companies and retailer super markets. The global coffee market, as it is the industry where power relations operates the most, has often led small farmers of poor countries in a vicious circle of crisis. A document published by Oxfam International (2002) exposed that small coffee producers from the original homeland of coffee obtain only 27% of the export price from their commodity. Another recent research out-put published by UNCTD and iisd (2004) shows that the share of coffee farmers from the price of their commodity is only 13%. So is the “Son of River Nile” being thirsty.
THE ALTERNATIVE INITIATIVE
It is compulsory that this era of coffee crisis should be reverted as it was done to the colonial era. Injustice to the poor farmers of coffee has become a focal concern for the general public of the developed world. The final consumers of the West are showing keen interest not only about the origin of the commodities they are consuming, but also about the livelihood of the producers. Consumer preferences in Europe, the USA and Japan have created a demand led approach to agricultural production in developing countries. Environmental and social concerns are giving impetus to search for alternatives to meet the demand for obtaining a place in the global market. This trend of the global coffee market is well recognized to be of great advantage to small farmers at all levels from producers up to policy making level. Donors and NGO’s, professional associations and other relevant stakeholders have been advocating the need for the reversal of the era of coffee crisis. NECOFA- Ethiopia has played a significant role in this regards.
The last three months experienced a marked paradigm in searching an alternative initiative for coffee producers of Limmuu Koossaa District of Oromiyaa Regional National Government. The district is found in the heart of the original homeland of Arabica coffee and it is the source of the most popular coffee known as “Limmuu Special”. With the partnership of Oromiyaa Agricultural Out-put Marketing Agency, NECOFA-Ethiopia conducted a field survey of three months in the district to assess the attitude of small producers towards converting their mode of production to organics. A total of about 11000 hectares of land possessed by about 8500 households was covered by the survey. Amazingly, all cooperatives surveyed (25 cooperatives) established their willingness to organic conversion and made a call to all concerned bodies to assist the conversion. Even more, the farmers openly complain that the coffee they produce is organic and they are not fairly paid for it. Their commitment is so strong that it dictated to think for an alternative initiative.
Taking the commitment of the farmers as a bench mark, the Oromiyaa Agricultural out put Marketing Agency, in collaboration with NECOFA-Ethiopia has finalized a proposal on “Alternative Coffee Initiative Project” for fund raising. The project, though proposed on the commitment and initiative of farmers of Limmuu Kossa, is meant to be replicated in other districts of high potential and alternative coffee producing areas of Oromiyaa.
The ultimate goal of the proposal is to check cutting the plough from the gate of the so called foolish but needy man. It is meant to assist the son of River Nile quench his thirst from the longest river flowing at his gate.
Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA- Ethiopia) is a professional association of African farmers. It is also a Network for promoting sustainable agricultural development.
As an advocate of ecological farming, NECOFA,-Ethiopia calls upon all friends and promoters of ecological/organic farming to give due concern and responsible participation in realizing the initiative of small coffee producers of Limmuu Koossaa District. The families of the Global Organic movement have the best chance to work with self-initiated farmers with so large a number for the first time since the 1930’s, the time when organic farming started.
A movement to convert a whole district to organics with a single move is not a chance to be missed!
Initiative NECOFA BENIN, Maisons Nourricières
Le Réseau des Communautés des TOUT-PETITS PLANTEURS de MAISON regroupe les Producteurs d’Aliments Complémentaires Sains et Nutritifs issus des fruitiers et légumes frais entretenus au domicile.
Depuis 2003, NECOFA BENIN fait la promotion des échanges séculaires de plantes utiles entre les membres de ses Communautés en zone urbaine, en zone péri urbaine, en zone rurale.
NECOFA BENIN s’est inspiré et s’appuie sur les actions du genre que développe un de ces membres, pionnier dans le domaine depuis 1985. L’initiative est partie de l’histoire de cette famille où la perception du SPIRITUEL ou RELIGIEUX de l’arbre est vécu chaque jour sans ostentation, ni singularité. Il y est devenu une habitude pour chaque membre de cette famille (enfant, femme et homme) qui mange un fruit, d’en recueillir consciemment les meilleures graines qui seront, soit mises à germer en pépinières, soit distribuées à d’autres familles pour être plantées dans leur propre maison. Pour cette famille c’est une certaine manière de rendre grâce à DIEU pour sa générosité. Car, il y autant de temples religieux que de déserts spirituels dans les cœurs des hommes, quand à chaque carême des millions de fruits sont consommés par les fidèles sans qu’aucune de leurs graines soit sauvée de manière consciente pour ensemencer au moins les places de prières.
Des actes concrets posés par ce pionnier, membre de NECOFA BENIN, ont des effets très perceptibles aujourd’hui dans les différentes Communes d’intervention telles que Cotonou, Copargo, Natitingou, Calavi, Zê, Ouidah, etc. En voici quelques témoignages :
Il est rapporté que l’on évoque souvent le nom de l’acteur principal de cette initiative chaque fois que les fruits arrivent à maturité dans les maisons où il a fait dons de plantules ou graines à certaine époque.
En 2002 le Roi de Pabégou, feu ANDORO, lui a offert un litre d’huile rouge de palme en reconnaissance d’un don de semences pre germées de palmier à huile sélectionnés reçues 14 ans plus tôt.
Les plantules de divers fruitiers mis à la disposition de quelques propriétaires de maison et jeunes jardiniers à Natitingou entre 1992 et 2000 sont en fructification aujourd’hui.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOOD COMMUNITY
MOROGORO, TANZANIA
By Idd Saleh Mdanku, Coordinator
Facts for presentation:
• Fruits and vegetables have become the subject of an increasing globalized market that knows no bounds and recognizes no seasons. As a result of the chain of intermediaries the percentage of the final prices that reaches the farmers is extremely low. What strategies can be implemented in order to make room for small scale production? When can quality processed products be integrated as valid sources of revenue
Background
• Morogoro Food Community has been working on three major areas: production, processing and marketing.
• Its performance is very well based in national economic principles and support of the nation with a population of 35 million people whose major trade language is Kiswahili that is spoken by majority of the people
• Morogoro Food Community contributes 10% of the sub-sectors’ supplies in Tanzania
BACKGROUND - CONT
• The Tanzanian economy is based mainly on agriculture and livestock, tourism, mining and fisheries and its climate mainly tropical and partly temperate where fruits and vegetables are widely grown together with maize, beans and potatoes. Some of the people in the region are nomads and they live on the semi arid lands (Maasai people)
BACKGROUND - CONT
• Tanzania therefore enjoys a favorable climatic condition that allows the development of a prosperous temperate horticultural sector with humid tropical climate conditions that allows the development of tropical agriculture.
• Banana is the most prosperous cash crop accessible to most producers and providing a regular income. Other cash crops are more seasonal such as pineapples and spices
Comparative advantage
• Morogoro food community is a food cluster with better comparative advantages compared to other areas in the country due to:
• Its proximity with big consumers pole (Dares Salaam and its over 4.5 million people and only at 2.30 – 3 hours drive and other cities like Dodoma, Singida and Mwanza)
• Dynamic small scale farmers skilled in horticultural production
• Indignity life of Waluguru people in fruits and vegetables trading channel in Dares Salaam
• Dynamic mountainous agriculture based on banana and pineapple productions famous for their specific qualities
• Skilled traders in banana processing (traditional maturation]
• There are Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOS and Banks) which play a crucial role to Access to Finance.
Marketing
• More than 6,700 tons of bananas, pineapples, mangoes and oranges and over 3,000 tons of other fruits and vegetables are marketed monthly through big rural markets (Tandai, Nyandira and Tawa). The production is very much linked to the road accessibility during rain season (January – June).
• Every morning producers bring to the market site by carrying on their heads, along the main paths of the villages. Some of the fruits are being traditionally ripened by traders taking 5 to 7 days. Once they are ready they are normally transported towards consumers markets in 24 hours before they become too soft and fragile
MARKETING - CONT
• Green regimes are weighed in specific centres before going out to the big markets. There are a few weighing bridges for the lorries to avoid overloading as the way to control the road damages. For instance over 3,000 tons of fruits and vegetables are marketed through Nyandira market, of which 80% of the production is sold in Dar es Salaam and 20% in Morogoro and Dodoma cities.
• Most transactions are facilitated by brokers who have a very good knowledge of the local availability of the products while traders know the evolution of the needs of the urban markets. Through an experience recorded so far, banana income is complemented by citrus production rather than pineapples, though the later has the higher production Gross Margin.
MARKETING - CONT
• Existing citrus, pineapples and banana fields show that the area under cultivation is naturally fertile and productive. There is a good roads networks and good water availability within rivers basins of Ruvu, Mvuha, Mbezi and Wami which provides opportunity for traditional irrigation practices.
• Some institutions like TCCIA, MVIWATA, SUA and other programmes like UMADEP, DAI PESA, support the rural community on Research, Capacity Building on Business Management and Entrepreneurship Development, Market Information and Linkage and Access to Finance.
Main constraints
C1: Generic constraints
• Farmers have inadequate information about the existence of Business Development Service providers of tailor made services such as Financial Services providers, Input suppliers for improved seeds varieties etc,
C2: production constraints
• Low efficient technology,
• Dependence on rain fed agriculture
• Unawareness of proper agronomic practices
• Lack of information about Manufacturers and distributors of the agricultural equipments and spares
C3/4/5: Marketing, Processing and Organizational constraints
• Limited storage facilities at village level
• Lack of bulking
• Underdeveloped local markets
• Low efficient technology
• Lack of value addition
• High certification costs of products(organic produce)
• Weak leadership and bargaining power
Strategies to improve Production
• To increase the outlets for fruits and Vegetable produce in the region towards improving the rural livelihood of the community.
• The principle is for people to own their development through self reliance, empowerment and sustainable use of resources.
• To enhance support from the local government agencies (Public-Private-Partnership)
STRATEGIES - CONT
• Encourage natural and fair trade shops
• Allow majority of producers to attend trade fairs and exchange experiences and learn new technologies on production, processing (like solar drying] and marketing
• Formation of clusters to capitalize on shared knowledge and allow competitiveness
• Strengthening of Business Development Service providers and mechanisms to collect and disseminate market informations to the community.
• Conduct Business Management Skills and Agricultural Practices to fruits and Vegetable growers and traders
• Emphasize on equal participation of all genders in production processing and marketing
• Local production of fruits and vegetables is aimed to be executed within the framework of MDGs, MKUKUTA and TDV 2O25
