T he project will focus on a number of interrelated areas of support to address governance, production and employment challenges of rural farmers in line with the lessons of GROW-1 and consultations with the counterparts.

1. GOVERNANCE

  • Poverty-reduction driven governance in value chains
  • Community-led development process through enhanced cooperative networks and increased participation of farmers

2. PRODUCTION AND MARKET

  • Local cooperative/firms increase their productivity, diversify production and access more profitable markets (e.g. organic, premium cocoa, etc.)
  • Promoting climate-smart cocoa production through rehabilitation of farms, agroforestry and biodiversity
  • Rural and urban clustering of cooperatives to facilitate collective efficiencies

3. EMPLOYMENT

  • Increased empowerment and employability of women and youth through upskilling, networking and entrepreneurship opportunities
  • Promoting farming as a viable and profitable occupation along different parts of the value chain, e.g. production, storage, packaging, etc.

The type and depth of services will depend on the value chain, and encompass the following:

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AREAS

  • Strengthening of cooperatives and sector associations
  • Strengthening horizontal and vertical coordination among actors along the value chain (cooperatives; producer groups; MSMEs; sector associations; other alliances)
  • Strengthening common facilities (input supply; production; storage; pre-processing; processing), based on collective efficiencies and increased mechanization
  • Facilitating access to relevant technical/entrepreneurship training services
  • Facilitating access to training on environmental protection (including regenerative organic agriculture), climate-smart practices (resource efficiency), health and safety of the work environment
  • Facilitating access to quality-related services, accompanying cooperatives/producer groups/MSMEs in ensuring the quality and safety of products in view of compliance with standards, testing and certification based on market requirements
  • Strengthening linkages with investment promotion and financial service providers
  • Strengthening linkages with trade promotion services (incl. information on opportunities and market requirements and fostering alliances of producers’ groups /MSMEs with regional/international buyers).
  • Advice regarding policy and regulatory framework and eventual reform opportunities/ needs
  • Supporting dialogue on business environment and related reforms
  • Strengthening the support infrastructure, covering inter alia agriculture extension, quality infrastructure, climate resilience related services (such as promotion of organic production, resource efficiency and renewable energy), and market promotion.