Publications

A capability statement concerning our work on Agriculture in Africa which focuses on equity and growth for smallholders.

The document presents the summaries of the 12 case studies used to illustrate SNV practices which contributed to the writing of the practice brief N° 4 focusing on Gender and Agriculture (see: www.snvworld.org/en/sectors/agriculture/publications/gender-and-agriculture-practice-brief). The summaries provide an insight of the gender issue and what practices SNV implemented to address to this specific constraint. The document also offers you hyperlinks at the end of each summary to enable you read the full intervention.

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.

It has been established that the climatic conditions in the Volta region are very favourable for horticulture, particularly pineapple and mangoes production, but these sectors are not being given the needed impetus to promote the industry. Based on that, an inventory of the capabilities and capacities of the actors in the agricultural sector was done and it revealed, among others, the non-availability of relevant information on production figures of the selected chains, absence of market intelligence, production costs and poor record keeping on farm practice to mention a few. SNV’s initiated an intervention to support and build the capacities of government offices and other key stakeholders in the two value chains on a pilot basis by designing and implementing an effective value chain information system in six districts.

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.

This practice brief explores women and gender issues in SNV Netherlands Development Organisation’s support to agricultural value chains in Africa and Asia. Across the two regions there are wide disparities in women’s access to and control over productive resources, service delivery and market opportunities. Drawing on a wide variety of case studies, the Brief describes various ways in which the underlying gender constraints are identified and addressed, through an explicit focus on women’s economic and social empowerment.

La présente note thématique porte sur les questions relatives aux femmes et à l’équité du genre du genre dans l’appui apporté par la SNV -Organisation Néerlandaise de Développement-, aux chaînes de valeur agricoles en Afrique et en Asie. Il existe à travers ces deux régions d’importantes disparités en matière d’accès des femmes aux ressources et aux moyens  de production, aux services ainsi que de leur contrôle et aux possibilités d’accès aux marchés. Se fondant sur une large gamme d’études de cas, cette note décrit différentes façons dont les contraintes de genre sous-jacentes sont identifiées et abordées, en mettant explicitement l’accent sur l’autonomisation économique et l’inclusion  sociale des femmes...

This manual has been prepared to document the internal accounting procedures for the Ghana School Feeding Programme (National Secretariat). Its purpose is to ensure that assets are safeguarded, financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and that finances are managed with responsible stewardship.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) commenced in 2005 with the intermediate objective of reducing hunger and malnutrition; increasing school enrollment, retention and attendance and to boost local food production. The GSFP is an initiative under the comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Pillar 3 seeks to enhance food security and reduce hunger in line with the UN-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The collaboration between ECASARD/SNV as a local capacity builder necessitated this survey to identify ways of linking the farmers through FBOs to the GSFP as a means of achieving the third objective of the programme i.e.to boost local food production. The objective of the study to establish the level of FBOs /farmers’ engagement in boosting local food production through the GSFP in the Greater Accra Region; this is in accordance with the third objectives of the programme. The study was examined under the following headings; Effectiveness of FBOs in the study area, Farmers’ willingness to market their farm produce to the GSFP, Commonly cultivated crops in the study area and the quantities that farmers are willing to supply to the GSFP and benefit of the GSFP to the farmers.

The findings show that; about 66% of the FBOs are registered, and 81% of them meet at least once every month. This shows that they are effective and efficient. The main purpose of cultivation by the farmers was income oriented. 21% of the farmers have benefited from the GSFP nevertheless, the only source of benefit was the fact that their children are fed. Further studies that would capture all the actors in the implementation of the GSFP is required. Their views should be collated and used to review the implementation of the programme so far to ensure participation and benefits for all stakeholders.

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 study examines two interventions in Ghana’s Upper West Region to consider the extent to which they have been successful in increasing women’s participation in the development of the shea value chain. In addition, the report uses the responses of the nut pickers and butter processors surveyed to explore the constraints facing women’s participation at different points in the shea value chain. The study highlights two important mechanisms that promote participation in shea value chains: 1) Well organised and registered groups which help overcome issues of small scale and quality control; 2) value chain development by external agencies linking producer groups to buyers. These relationships may be subsequently strengthened by buyers’ investments in productive and social infrastructure, pre-finance arguments, end of season premiums, and simple transparent contracts.

Brochure which describes the partnership between SNV and FLO (Fairtrade International). In 2006, a unique partnership was born. Responding to the need for an integrated, market-based approach to the challenge of persistent poverty, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Fairtrade International (FLO) teamed up to help producers in the World South reach consumers worldwide via Fairtrade. As a result of the partnership, numerous farming communities in eleven African countries now benefit from expanded market access, increased production, employment and income, as well as broader social progress and greater control over their future.

This is the story of the partnership, the people involved and the progress made.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) represented a practical impact approach by the government to attain the MDGs, and had the potential to change hunger, education and ultimately food security and poverty levels in Ghana. Despite huge political support and massive increase in enrolment figures, the programme did not live up to it’s expectations, being weight down by major administrative challenges. The case describes how SNV worked through the use of accountability mechanisms and procedure manuals, thereby improving management and impact of the program.

SNV West and Central Africa is presenting through the 2011 case study anthology, a selection of its regional interventions. The different cases present the various contexts in which we operate, our approaches and their sustainability, who we work with and our results.

This document sought to analyse our work in the view of getting out the lessons learned from our experiences with regards to what has work and what has not. Besides, the anthology is a tool for knowledge sharing and learning for other organisations or individuals who may wish to scale up the work initiated. 

Wild collection of Allanblackia (AB) has not yielded the required volumes to meet market demands over the years and does not provide a dependable supply base needed to operate a viable supply chain for AB seeds. Establishing a sustainable supply chain for AB seeds thus holds potential to provide economic and social benefits for poor people and communities. This study was commissioned by SNV Ghana and Novel to determine the socio-economic feasibility of AB cultivation by local people. Data collected indicate that farmers are generally willing to domesticate AB and are ready to pay for one or more services associated with its cultivation if safeguards such as guaranteed markets for seeds are made to secure anticipated investments. The study reveals that current wild collection of AB is mainly a female based activity, the compelling reason for involvement being the need for supplementary income for basic household needs. It was noted that men, especially farm labourers and those involved in cocoa and oil palm farming, consider the opportunity costs of collecting AB too high. It was also observed that, though AB domestication is well intentioned, issues on rights and ownership of land has the potential to exclude vulnerable groups especially women and migrant farmers.

It can be concluded from the study that AB in the immediate and short term is not expected to be cultivated as a mono crop. There are still knowledge gaps, on the expected yields, market value of the crop etc. However, it has potential as a combination crop that can be included on already established farms or degraded lands.