Agribusiness & Forestry

Agribusiness Leadership Program

Photo: Agribusiness Leadership Program training session in progress

Food security, jobs, sustainability, global trade – to meet these challenges and more, farming must change. Farmer organizations in emerging markets must become more professional and more productive. A well-managed farmer organization can attract finance and customers, which means it can sell more and do more for its members and for farming communities.

The IFC Agribusiness Leadership Program prepares farmer organizations to do exactly that. It integrates SCOPEinsight assessments for capacity and creditworthiness, classroom training, and coaching in a 6- to 24-month program designed to measurably improve the management skills and professionalism of farmer organizations.

The program is delivered in the local language and is customized for farmer organizations of varying sizes, crop sectors, and education levels. These organizations can range from small, informal producer groups to large, registered farmer cooperatives. The program will expand to include businesses that work with smallholder farmers, including collection agents and input retailers.

Agribusiness Leadership Program is implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Rwanda

620	farmer organizations involved
150,000	farmers reached
576	farmer organization leaders trained

HOW IT WORKS

A farmer organization enrolled in the program goes through the following steps:

Assessment: A trained assessor uses SCOPEinsight diagnostic tools to score the organization in eight management areas, including financial management, operations, and sustainability. The training provider creates a customized training strategy and curriculum based on the results.
Training: The organization’s leaders participate in training tied to an assessment of their organization. Training is practical and interactive. Leaders create a tailored development plan that addresses the performance gaps identified during assessment.
Coaching: The organization is paired with a trained coach, who supports the leaders as they set priorities, establish timelines, and begin the work of building a stronger, more professional organization.
Linking to Markets: The organization uses its development plan to achieve improved commercial results, such as obtaining contracts with customers and suppliers, securing finance, or meeting quality standards for produce.