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July  2021
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many farmers and forest producers have suffered because they could not access markets and funding. Here we report on how grassroots organizations are helping these producers to get back on their feet by accessing those services, with Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) support.


New marketing options in Kenya
The lockdowns in Kenya hit the farmers belonging to the Nakuru Smallholder Fruits Producers Association (NASFPA) rather hard. NASFPA responded by doing inventories on their members' farms to figure out what they might sell and how.
That opened the door for NASFPA to make deals to bundle and sell their members' [cid:image008.jpg@01D777EB.CE14AB80] products, allowing them to sell forty tons of avocados for USD 30 000 and 50 tons of tree tomatoes for USD 48 000.
Now, NASFPA is negotiating with additional companies to diversify its clients and get better prices and more favorable terms of payment and conditions. The Association also plans to convert itself into a limited liability fruit tree marketing cooperative. That will enable their members to do business freely, access funds, negotiate prices, acquire assets, enter into contracts, and develop other businesses.




Setting-up an online sales system in Madagascar
Lockdowns and restrictions in transporting and marketing products heavily affected farmer incomes in Madagascar; and many of their sales contracts with restaurants and fast-food companies were cancelled.
[cid:image009.jpg@01D777EB.CE14AB80]In response, the Association pour le progrès des paysans (FIFATA) in the Vakinankaratra region, established a targeted online sales system to support farmers in four cooperatives (Miaramandroso, Fiombonantsoa, Fiombonantsoa II, and Avotra Soa Miaradia). The system allows producers to identify consumer needs and market opportunities and substitute for traditional local markets that have closed. The online system allows faster sales, creates closer relations between producers and consumers, and increases revenues, by reducing the need for intermediaries. The new revenues from online sales have allowed producers to set up a village savings loan (VSL) scheme to support needy community members.



Zambia's rural women create mobile banking and saving schemes
A second and third wave of COVID-19 have hit Zambia hard this year. To fight the pandemic they closed schools, markets, restaurants, and public transport. Many farmers have lost livelihood options and income as a result, especially women. While demand for their products has fallen, the price of agricultural inputs has jumped.
[cid:image012.png@01D777EB.CE14AB80]The Tubeleke Women's Group in the southern province of Zambia has supported its members by creating a saving and lending scheme, which has improved financial literature, strengthened the culture of savings, and provided much needed cash in times of need. The funds have also helped vulnerable community members to obtain food, transportation, and health care.
In addition, the group opened ZANACO mobile banking booths, which provide financial services for rural communities with no other banking services. The group receives a commission for each transaction in these booths.




From partner countries
Video sur les succès de l'agriculture de conservation à Madagascar
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L'agriculture de conservation se révèle efficace pour aider à améliorer les moyens de subsistance des Malagasy face au changement climatique. Des visites d'échange et une plateforme nationale permettent de vulgariser les résultats de ces techniques afin de les promouvoir dans tout le pays.
Watch the video.<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS_ws5FBAjg>

Production massive de plants pour restaurer le couvert végétal au Togo
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La coopérative des producteurs des plants et semences forestières d'Amakpapé (PPSFA) a élargi sa production de plants forestiers et agroforestiers de 30 000 à 100 000 plants avec la mise en place des systèmes de production à travers les cloisons. Entre 40 et 60 personnes travaillent à la tâche au sein de la coopérative.

Read the article.<https://agridigitale.net/art-production_massive_de_plants_pour_restaurer_le_couvert_vgtal_.html>



Events
Global Forum on Forest Governance, Monday 12 July, Session 2<https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/global-forum-forest-governance-2021>
[cid:image013.jpg@01D777EB.CE14AB80]What role does forest governance play in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss? Hear FFF's David Kaimowitz explain his vision for 2030 for the future of sustainable forest management and how it can be achieved when he speaks at Chatham House's annual forest governance event. @CH_Forests<https://twitter.com/CH_Forests>

More on the event<https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/>.


With support of

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