Grow Africa: Support Farmers’ Engagement

Project completed

Grow Africa, a partnership agreement co-convened by the African Union Commission, NEPAD Agency and World Economic Forum (WEF) has supported since 2011 the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) to accelerate responsible investment into agriculture. SDC’s contribution will be targeted to increasing smallholders’ integration into commercial value chains of staple crops for domestic and regional markets to contribute to poverty eradication and improved food security.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Africa
Agriculture & food security
Governance
Agricultural policy
Agriculture value-chain development (til 2016)
Rural infrastructure (till 2016)
Investment regimes (til 2016)
01.10.2013 - 31.12.2016
CHF 1'200'000
Background

In 2003, African governments committed to attract domestic and international investment into agriculture and food systems through CAADP. Grow Africa actively brokers collaboration between governments (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina-Faso, Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia), private sector (global, regional and domestic) and farmers, including smallholders, to lower the cost and risk of investing into agriculture in Africa.

Objectives

Increased income and productivity by smallholder farmers, contributing to poverty reduction and improved food security.

Target groups

Primary target groups: Government representatives, domestic and international private companies, business associations and farmers’ organisations.

Secondary target groups: Small-scale farmers (in Grow Africa countries) with commercial potential.  

Medium-term outcomes
  • Increased adoption of business models that integrate smallholders into commercial value chains, especially for crops that are consumed in domestic and regional markets.
  • Effective participation of smallholder farmers through their representative organisations (Farmers’ Organisations and Regional FOs) in these value chains.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Investments and value chain partnerships linked to Grow Africa innovate, adopt or expand business models that increase profitability of smallholders.
  • National and Regional Farmers‘ Organisations increase collaboration with private sector partners.
  • Knowledge increased on business models that increase profitability of both smallholders and companies.


Results from previous phases:  

  • "Smallholder Working Group" and “Cassava Working Group” established as knowledge, non-competitive spaces for structuring and coordinating inclusive business models.
  • Preparation and piloting "Gap-Analysis Tool for Agriculture" on Maize Value Chain in Kenya.
  • Assistance in the development of WFP’s Patient Procurement Platform, launched at WEF Davos 2015 with pre-studies in Malawi and Tanzania.
  • Mobilization of private sector companies to participate in ROPPA‘s first-ever "Business Forum" in Abidjan (November 2013).


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Other Swiss Non-profit Organisation


Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Support to Farmers’ Organisation in Africa Programme (SFOAP): co-financed by EU, AfD and IFAD (7F-08107.01).
  • Implementation of ECOWAP (DAO).
  • Farmers’ Organisation Facility: implemented by AgriCord (7F-09106.01).
  • Grow Africa’s knowledge partner IDH (Sustainability Trade Initiative) also benefits from 4-year contribution from SECO of CHF 30'000'000. 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   1'200'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   899'113 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF  2'800'000
Project phases

Phase 1 01.10.2013 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)