Strengthening farmer, CBO and private sector capacity   

 

New and/or innovative approaches to production, natural resource management, technology transfer, input supply, credit, and output marketing will be introduced and adapted in the 10 selected PLS. Key to such development is to create the capacity of the rural communities, where farmers are “producing what they can market rather than trying to sell what they produce” quote from CIAT’s ERI program. Many of these innovations have been developed by research and development partners in collaboration with the farming communities. The project will have a strategy which is aimed at mainstreaming gender and environmental concerns. A strategy will also be developed to limit the effect of HIV/AIDS on agricultural development.

Emphasis will be put on strengthening or developing farmer-based seed and seedling supply system (linked to a cooperative and/or private sector outlet), private/cooperative bull stations and AI services, private/cooperative rural shops for the supply of veterinary drugs, farm equipment/implements and fertilizers and other innovative arrangements. This approach is in line with the Ethiopian government’s privatization strategy.

The IPMS project will focus on grouping individual farmers to increase their negotiating power, agro-processing possibilities, and access to market information thereby increasing their potential for earning high income. The project will also assist in improving product quality, storage and processing. Linking of producer groups and small scale local traders with wholesale, agro-processing and export marketing parties through various forums will be part of the strategy.