Developing Community Driven Value Chain for Agricultural Products
Start date: 8/05 - Completion date: 2/07

Field activities will include:

• Activity 1: Provide farmers with quality planting material by 1) introducing quality
  plant cuttings/seeds; 2) organizing seed fairs and distributing improved planting materials; 3) purchasing foundation seeds or planting materials; 4) rehabilitate
  two seed multiplication centers.
• Activity 2: provide technical assistance and introduce Best Management Practices
  by 1) training technical staff from partnering institutions to conduct baseline surveys;
  2) setting up outgrower schemes and demonstration fields; 3) introducing new post harvest technologies; 4) providing technical and management training to participating NGOs; 4) organizing and train community based NGOs in outgrowing scheme concepts.
• Activity 3: improve access to inputs and technology and develop multisectoral partnerships by 1) demonstrating how quality relates to pricing and consumer preferences; 2) establishing cooperative structures and outgrower schemes; 3) improving existing post-harvest and transformation technologies; 4) developing partnerships between economic operators and stakeholders.
• Activity 4: improve access to markets and set up a market information system by:
  1) promoting community involvement in the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure; 2) introducing communities to the outgrower schemes concept; 3) design and promote a better distribution system for agricultural products; 4) generating market information systems; 5) providing incentives to merchants who promote and market improved quality products.