Applying a Person-to-Person Approach to Strengthen Value Chains in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia

Through the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program (FTF), CNFA will use targeted volunteer technical assistance to strengthen markets and foster sustained and broad-based economic growth in the agricultural sectors in Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the life of the five-year $7.5 million program, CNFA will field nearly 400 volunteers to assist 130 host institutions and enterprises.

In Georgia and Moldova, our Farmer-to-Farmer Program is integrated with and builds on our existing economic development and trade promotion activities. In Georgia, which has tremendous trade potential, we are increasing competitiveness and exports by working in commercial market chains, improving agricultural credit and working with smallholders to improve productivity. In Moldova, where the agricultural sector has lagged behind the rest of the country, we are increasing private sector competitiveness and promoting enterprise growth. In Central Asia, where most of the population depends on agriculture, CNFA will use FTF to complement USAID’s strategic objectives of developing value chain linkages to provide greater economic opportunities for rural people in this fragile and strategically important region. This work will begin with the fielding of volunteers in Tajikistan and is expected to expand into additional countries in the region in the future.

To maximize volunteer impact, FTF targets specific smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives and associations along key agricultural value chains chosen for their high growth potential. Each assignment builds upon previous work and complements other interventions.

We are focusing on four primary components:

• Increased agricultural sector productivity and profitability: We are using our successful value chain methodology to increase smallholder productivity and profitability. Assignments include everything from new production methods and technologies to post-harvest handling, marketing and sales. Volunteers also help enterprises with their business model through planning and improved financial management.

• Conservation and sustainable use of environmental and natural resources: Although we aim for increased agricultural productivity, we balance our approach with responsible use of environmental and natural resources. Volunteers are providing technical assistance in water management, integrated pest management and safe use and handling of crop protection products.

• Expanded access to financial services: Through FTF, we target not only traditional commercial credit, but all value chain financing opportunities, including supplier credit, leasing, equity investment, agricultural insurance and commercial credit. Our expert volunteers provide guidance in development of new agricultural loan products, loan officer training, agricultural enterprise risk assessment and business planning. Volunteers have also assisted with the development of crop insurance systems.

• Strong agricultural sector institutions: Healthy agribusiness and producer organizations are an essential element of developing broad-based opportunities for participation in commercially viable value chains—and frequently, the most sustainable way of ensuring that farmers have access to critical services once donor projects end. Our volunteers provide technical assistance in management, processing and marketing to such organizations along our strategic value chains.

CNFA has been successfully implementing the FTF program since 1992 and has developed an effective model for administration, from recruitment of agricultural experts in the U.S. to successfully hosting volunteers in country. Over the last 16 years, CNFA has fielded almost 1,500 volunteers in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. During the last five years of implementation in the West NIS region alone, CNFA volunteers have facilitated the sale of approximately $15 million in fresh and processed agricultural commodities; the extension of $20 million in rural credit; and the distribution of more than $7 million in agricultural inputs and services to farmers.

Related Links

With CNFA Volunteers, Moldovan Cooperative Flourishes

Volunteer Brings HR Experience to Moldova

Volunteer Assistance Increases Sales and Opens New Markets

Program Overview: Global Farmer-to-Farmer Program