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Monitoring and increasing revenue for 6000 farmers in 5 districts through mobilization, activities, awareness creation, and buying process.
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Farmers revenue monitoring • 6000 farmers (48% female) in 5 districts into 54 centres. • In groups at different stages of development for registration. • It takes time to build trust and confidence with farmers. • Volume supply steadily increased from 2004 to 2006.
Mobilization stage • Activities outlined in partners work plan • Partners move as team for mobilization, each with specific district, Unilever in all districts. • Mobilization team includes development partner, buyer (Unilever) and conservation partners. • Mobilization starts at district level- • introduce the project partnership and objectives • Seek government support • District authority accompany the team to the villages • Meeting conducted with village governments
Meetings with farmers • Villages governments fix date for calling village meetings • During village meetings • Partners introduced by village authority • Partners introduce the project (objectives & role of each partner) • Crop season is agreed. • Clerks appointed • Buying centre selected. • Questions clarified.
More awareness creation • Posters and leaflets • Frequent visit • Using loudspeakers • Training • On quality • Group formation • Leadership
Selection of clerks • NGOs and Unilever describe necessary qualifications for a good clerk. • Able to write and good in elementary mathematics • Of high integrity • Village resident etc • Farmers shortlist 3 names and vote democratically • Selected clerks undergo training conducted by NGO and Unilever. Series of exercises done to test knowledge.
Buying process • Clerks given equipment • Scales, bags, threads etc for managing stock. • Farmers registration books, bin cards and cash given at the beginning of buying season. • AB quality checked by clerk and one of the group committee member on each buying day • Agreed good quality AB nuts are: • weighed, • recorded, • Farmers paid on the same day and sign against cash receipt. • At the end of each day • Register books and bin cards updated • Cash reconciled, AB stacked. • Cash top-up is done by project staff regularly.
Transport & Crushing • Project staffs organize transport of the nuts to crushing site. • Weight measurement taken at both points (centre and factory) • Delivery notes issued to the transporters (third part) to manage the cargo. • With enough stock crushing starts. • Oil is fed directly to special tank while still warm and shipped when full.
Achievement • Good cooperation from local governments • Highly motivated farmers (photo) • Increase in volume and number of farmers. • Women participation encouraging (gender) • Responsible and committed partners, though busy! • Experienced clerks with time. • Farmers income improving with time. • Domestication well received by farmers.
Challenges • Payment system • Risk • Security of the staff • Control of stocks at the factory ?? • Partners priorities. • Transport