Farmer Meeting - Development vs. Dependency

Some people have sent me messages asking what I am doing over here and I thought that I would explain my project as simply as possible and also what my small part is in the larger picture.

The project is to move farmers and farmer based organisations (FBOs) from dependency based aid to development based aid.  We are working with FBOs to teach them good farmer practices (i.e.. planting in straight lines, using certified seeds, using one seed per hole, proper weeding, using fertilizer, etc), providing grants, which they have to pay a portion of, for ploughing and harrowing their fields and also for seeds.  This is different from what other organizations do here which is to just hand out cash and not  do any follow up to see if the money was used for the intended purpose.  Our goal is to encourage behavior change and to provide the skills they need to be successful.

We work with the FBOs to provide sound foundation in addition to working with them to see if to see if they will be able to form co-ops.  If they are interested in forming co-ops we work with them to complete the process and develop business plans and become successful co-ops.

Here farming is not necessarily seen as a business but as a way to sustain their lives.  The government understands that improving the farming sector will help make the country food secure and increase the income for the farmers and the entire value chain.

The missing links here are numerous (lack of tractors, unwillingness to use fertilizers, lack of certified seeds, transportation, etc) but education and the feeling that traders are trying to take advantage of the farmers and the lack of market is the largest problem.

The marketing and education on how to cost your product is my main farmer focused project.  The farmers do not currently understand why the traders who buy their products have to make a profit, the farmers think that they should be able to sell their product for what they buy it for in the market.  They have not heard the phrase we use in America "Farmers sell at wholesale and buy at retail."

In addition to working with the farmers I am in charge of the office for the state of East Equatorial South Sudan.  I get to attend all of the meetings with the state and county government relating to food security and agriculture.  I also have direct report of 5 people in my office and 27 people in the 3 counties.  A lot  of what I do is coordination of projects and people.  It is challenging and fun and exciting when I get to work with the farmers.