Role of Farmers Organization in Building Bridges between Suppliers

& Buyers

Facilitation of FO Pitfalls

• Dependence on Leadership• Dependent Attitude• Conflict of Interest• Market Distortion

Potentialso Policy dialogue (Lobby)o Better access to funding( both public & private)

Benefits of FO• Economy of scale

• Increase Bargaining Power

• Provide forum for synergies, exchange ideas & experiences

• Social Cohesion

• Better inclusiveness into market systems(innovation)

Roles of FO

Should do Shouldn’t Do

Building capacities of the members

Dependence Attitude

Develop Business plan Cheat their members

Should be market oriented and Realistic

Political activities

Roles of Helvetas

Should do Shouldn’t Do

Facilitation not implementations

Replace existing market actors

Bring Innovations Create dependence attitude among partners

Focus on Systemic approach

Overlap with other donors

Good Practices

• Better access to Finance

• Saving Funds

• Inclusiveness (women involvement, marginalized groups)

• Policy dialogue

• Joint/collective purchase of inputs, marketing

Lesson Learnt

• Avoid market distortion

• Strong & committed leadership

• Dependency Syndrome

• Solid/Sound Business Plan

• Involvement of Private sector

• Be patience