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Purchase from small farmers associations in Niger. January 201 3 – P4P annual consultation. Administrative map of Niger. General Information. Population: 16.2 Millions 20 % of national budget allocated to agriculture
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Purchase from small farmers associations in Niger January 2013 – P4P annual consultation
General Information • Population: 16.2 Millions • 20% of national budget allocated to agriculture • The 15% of Niger's land that is arable is found mainly along its southern border with Nigeria • Farming land per farmer:4,12 ha (Average) • Household size: 7 children per woman • The literacy rate of Niger is among the lowest in the world; in 2005 it was estimated to be only 28.7% (42.9% male and 15.1% female) • Niger’s economy based on subsistence agriculture that accounts for 40 % of GDP and employs 85% of the population
Conducive Environnement for Local Purchasesin Niger • WFP LP Niger in line with activities 1, 2 and 3 of PAA + 3N priorities • National school feeding programme • PTF strong commitment towards agriculture development • Involvement of Ministry of agriculture (MoA) at central and local level through inputs subsidies, diversification of agriculture, irrigation programme • Food security – national Strategic stocks-cereals banks • What is Happening now ? • Through direct negotiations and contracting of small farmers associations, WFP is purchasing 678 mt.of millet and 391 mt. of beans
How DidWe Do It? • Short listingof Small Farmers’ Associations was done using following criteria's: • Through FAO supported federations • At Unions Levels • At FO levels • Gender • Compliance to WFP Financial exigencies, such as having bank accounts • Production and Storage Capacity • Advantages: • Working closely with farmers will help measure direct impact, as well as progress over time • Ensures sustainability over long-term and creates ownership at the local level • Provides an alternative market for farmer’s surplus [and strengthens local economy] • Empowering women [small farmers]
Poor access to market information by the small farmers • Price fluctuation at the local markets, given the need for cash by small farmers immediately after harvest • Marketing strategies are largely not existent ( market information not available at farmers level) • Retention of stocks due to a dynamic environment/market competition • Methodologies for fixing prices with small farmers associations • Government plan to purchase large quantity from Farmers Associations Challenges
P4P – What did we learn from this first pilot ? • In working with small farmers : • A better understanding /momentum within WFP ( VAM, M&E, logistics, program) • Better understanding on how local markets functions • Immediate availability of commodities for the school meal programme • A better understanding of the supply chain • Connect with other strategic partners intervening in agriculture and market support programmes • It will allow development of better tools /strategy to be applied when purchasing from small holders to fit with local context for this year harvest • Great visibility of WFP
The WayForwardFor the 2013 Harvest: - Increase tonnage to be purchased from small farmers (up to 3,000 mt.)- Conduct a light baseline that will allow to measure the impact on the livelihoods- Training of WFP staff - Capacity building of farmers associations- Reinforce strategic partnerships with:Government counterparts:- High Commission of 3N- Ministry of Education (MoE)- Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)UN Agencies:- FAO- UN Women- NGOs: National or international NGOs with a strong presence and experience in agriculture production or commercialization such as CRS, WVI, AfriqueVerte