Publications

La présente note thématique est basée sur les expériences de la SNV en matière d’appui aux pasteurs en Afrique, en vue d’améliorer leurs moyens d’existence. Elle se fonde sur une large gamme d’études de cas qui, à travers le continent, mettent en évidence un certain nombre de traits communs aux
pratiques des pasteurs. La collaboration avec les pasteurs nous a appris qu’ils ne sont pas les traditionalistes que l’on décrit souvent. Ils s’adaptent au changement rapide comme tout autre groupe en Afrique. La présente note met en exergue l’éventail de stratégies d’adaptation, d’options de commercialisation et de mécanismes institutionnels qui ont cours à l’heure actuelle au sein de ces communautés. Ces expériences démontrent que le travail de la SNV a permis d’apporter des améliorations  tangibles aux moyens d’existence des éleveurs, tout en augmentant leur contribution au développement écon omique dans certains des milieux les plus difficiles en Afrique aujourd’hui.

Legislation and policies governing NTFP collection and commercialisation do not favour small actors, as it is difficult to become ‘legal’ operators. Consequently their trade remains marginal in spite of the huge potential for poverty reduction. SNV developed and offers the ‘Leadership for Change Programme (LCP), which helps leaders of organisations to develop their skills and build their organisations through effective lobbying and advocacy. This case study describes the context and change in a leader of a non-timber forest products traders’ association during the LCP program.

For technical and professional services to be delivered, producers, buyers, providers and financiers of services need to connect with each other. This case describes the outcomes of a one-day market event organised by the Local Capacity Development Fund (LCDF) with support from SNV. Participants displayed what they had on offer and were encouraged to interact and exchange ideas, knowledge, innovations and solutions.

This case study describes how a local market fair for services helped to bring about transparency and connections for actors in the segmented value chains of non-timber forest products. The case describes how and why the fair was organised and presents statistics highlighting its success.

Les produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL) sont une source importante de nourriture et de revenus des peuples de la zone forestière. Entre 2010 et 2011, l’exploitation des amendes de la mangue sauvage a considérablement contribué à l’amélioration des revenus de deux associations du peuple minoritaire et autochtone Baka dans la région du Sud Cameroun.

Le travail de la SNV dans le secteur Agriculture est basé sur une approche à trois volets : un positionnement renforcé des paysans  dans la chaîne de valeur, la promotion d’une agriculture favorable au climat et la facilitation pour un meilleur accès à l’alimentation. Les interventions ciblant l’atteinte du troisième objectif tentent d’apporter des solutions pour garantir les 4 dimensions principales de la sécurité alimentaire que sont la disponibilité, l’accès, l’utilisation et la stabilité alimentaire tels que défini par la FAO. La situation alimentaire en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre demeure fragile bien que le potentiel agro-écologique de la région soit suffisamment important pour satisfaire la demande croissante, avec un recours aux importations pour un nombre limité de produits. Cette déclaration de capacité de la SNV sur la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre présente différents axes d’intervention et résultats contribuant à garantir la sécurité alimentaire des populations vulnérables de la sous-région.

SNV’s work in the agricultural sector is based on a three-pronged approach: enhanced positioning of (smallholder) farmers within value chains, promotion of climate friendly agriculture and facilitating increased access to food. Intervention related to the third objective aim to provide solutions that guaranty the four main dimensions of food security which are food availability, access, utilization and stability as defined by FAO. The food situation in West and Central Africa remains fragile though the region’s agro-ecological potential is high enough to satisfy rising demands, with recourse to imports for a limited number of products. This SNV capability statement on food security in West and Central Africa presents the different interventions axes and some results contributing to guaranty food security of vulnerable population in the sub-region.

Summary of a desk and field study done by IRAM, with as main objective “to assess the SNV positioning choices in relation to its contribution to food security and -sovereignty in West and Central Africa countries”. Results were: Definition of key issues in food security for vulnerable actors; Establishment of relation between SNV position choices and food security strategies for vulnerable actors; Mapping of both successful household and community strategies as well as government policies securing access to food, which are relevant for SNV; Development of an analytical tool that can be used to measure the contribution/impacts on food security and food sovereignty. 

This practice brief shares SNV's experiences in supporting pastoralists in Africa to improve their livelihoods. It bringstogether a wide variety of cases from across the continent that draw out a number of commonalities in pastoralist practices, for instance their management of water resources in Tanzania and Niger. But it highlights as well the diversity of the contexts within which pastoralism operates, as seen in the contrasting scales of dairy processing in Kenya, Niger and Burkina Faso, or the different roles played by local brokers in the livestock markets of Southern Sudan and Benin. Working with pastoralists has taught us that they are not the traditionalists they are often depicted to be. They are adapting to rapid change as much as any other group in Africa. This Practice Brief highlights a variety of adaptation strategies, commercialisation options and institutional arrangements that are currently in use. These diverse experiences demonstrate that SNV support has helped bring about tangible improvements in pastoralist livelihoods, whilst increasing their contribution to economic  development in some of the most challenging environments in Africa today.

This case study describes how the value chain development approach was applied and pro-poor choices made in the selection of maize as a focus area for SNV activities. The case highlights integration of governance aspects to ensure increased influence, equity and empowerment of the poorest actors.

This fact sheet gives a short impression of Cameroons Local Capacity Development Fund facility.

This case study describes the importance of organisation for smallholder producers. By becoming organised milk producers, they were able to access veterinary services and produce improved animal feed, thereby introducing important innovations in the traditional animal production system. The innovations resulted in women pastoralists raising milk production from 2 to 3.5 litres/cow during the dry season. Part of the milk was used for home consumption, thereby improving food security while the rest was marketed to assure a steady household income.     

SNV Cameroon developed the ‘Leadership for Change Programme’, to help small farmers make their voices heard in policy formulation and review processes. The LCP helps leaders of organisations to develop their leadership skills to build their organisation improving development results. This case gives an example of how the LCP works.

Over 95% of pastoralist women in the North West Region of Cameroon depend exclusively on milk production for their income. The overall decline in pastoral resources in the past decades has affected milk productivity, drawing attention and technical support from public and non-governmental partners. However, this did not lead to significant increase in income for more than 100 female members of the cooperative, primarily due to poor market access.  SNV sought to address this problem by enhancing linkage between Cameroon Dairy Industry (CDI). Among the key interventions were institutional strengthening of SDC, initiating contact between the two organisations and improving milk collection and supply. SDC has upgraded into a successful small cottage dairy processor with value added of above 40%. Two similar cooperative dairy enterprises have also emerged in other parts of the region supported by SNV.  There is growing opportunity in the local market for dairy products and where linkage is inefficient, dairy cooperatives and their partners should invest in upgrading within alternative value chains. This case study thus describes experiences linking smallholder milk producers with industry. It highlights the vastly differing contexts of milk producers on the one hand and a milk processing industry on the other hand. The case study shows that in order for market linkage to be successful both parties have to commit to seeking and sutaining win-win situations.

A short fact sheet explaining how the Local Capacity Development Fund (LCDF) in Cameroon works and what services it offers.

This paper concerning market access of honey producers in Cameroon was written for the international conference on ‘the role of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation’. The conference was held in Vietnam.