Project 08fk-5114 - agro-info

08fk-5114 Farmer organizations networks working for sustainable development of family agriculture

budget	€ 160.377,55	status	finished
start date	01-01-2008	date end	31-12-2008
location		country	cambodia
financer	Agriterra
executor	Farmer and Nature Net	intervention level	national
Programmes	\| work area 05: Grass-roots Participation \| IFAP 02: Focus development efforts on people and their organisations \|
description	The proposed project will focus on supporting the institutional reinforcement of FNN as well as the expansion of the network of FNN so that it can better serve and protect small farmers’ interest at local, national and international level. Main focus is on the further growth (10.000 new members in (...more...)
description	The proposed project will focus on supporting the institutional reinforcement of FNN as well as the expansion of the network of FNN so that it can better serve and protect small farmers’ interest at local, national and international level. Main focus is on the further growth (10.000 new members in 2008) and strengthening of FNN at its various levels, and to establish more specialized networks. The activities and services will focus on: 1.putting in place an effective structure of FNN at provincial and national level. 2. To strengthen and capacitate the leaders of the FNN at different levels to provide effective information, marketing, financial and other supporting services to their members 3. To participate in policy and strategy discussions with government and other stakeholders at local, national level and international level (...less...)
results & observations	FNN organized the General Assembly early 2008 in a revised structure, in which 78 representatives of 14 provinces participated. The participants represented the provincial specialized networks (organic rice, rural youth, rural women and cooperative shops networks) and elected provincial representatives. During the GA the new members of FNN Board of (...more...)
final results & observations	FNN organized the General Assembly early 2008 in a revised structure, in which 78 representatives of 14 provinces participated. The participants represented the provincial specialized networks (organic rice, rural youth, rural women and cooperative shops networks) and elected provincial representatives. During the GA the new members of FNN Board of Directors and Executive Committee were elected. It appeared that this complex structure created problems concerning roles and responsibilities and therefore, during the GA in December 20o8 it was decided to keep only the Board of Directors of FNN and eradicate the EC. At provincial level: A total of 15 provincial general assemblies meetings were organized in order to elect the provincial committees, review and reflect upon FNN activities and discuss the long term strategy to support members. The provincial representatives and specialized network representatives met in between the two General Assemblies, to discuss more about the mandate and role of FNN, review internal policies, operational and budget plan and start the preparation of the strategic planning 2009-2011. Meetings and Trainings: meeting and trainings were held monthly for FNN national committee members in order to built their capacity in planning; strategic thinking; better manage the new structure and explain about FNN to other FNN members. FNN elected representatives and leaders were trained on agri-trade issues, women empowerment, strategic planning, youth education and how to establish an independent farmers organization. Strategic plan: FNN initiated the preparation of strategic planning 2009-2011 with its members in a participatory way, actively involving the provincial representatives and specialized network representatives. Agriterra, AFA and AFDI provided advisory support (by sending consultants) to FNN in elaborating a strategic plan. The plan will be finalized in the first quarter of 2009. For six specialized networks (organic rice, rural youth, rural women, vegetable producer group, chicken producer group and cooperative shops networks) individual network meetings were organized at national level. The rural women network organized further training for 45 key rural women, focussing on women leadership. At grass root level, 419 village level meetings were organized by the provincial committees in order to explain more about FNN to Village Farmer Associations representatives. Especially rural women (74% of all participants) joined these meetings. The meetings were also used to convince members to pay membership fee and several Village Farmers Associations indeed paid. The total membership base of FNN was slightly reduced from 1140 VFA to 1120 VFA, representing a total of 1114 villages (14 new villages) and 34.360 individual farmers, of which 20.036 (58% women). This means an increase of 4.360 farmers, of which 3.229 women. Conclusions by FNN: - FNN has realised an effective organizational structure with a president and most of the national committee members having a good record of leadership at local level. - The FNN provincial committees are playing important roles in supporting and coordinating the activities in their own provinces. They are also able to realize payment of membership fees from some of their members - Around 6,000 individual members benefited directly from FNN through participating in capacity building meeting and workshops organized. This has resulted in an enhanced understanding about the background, activities and mission of FNN among the members - The local members of the FNN gain more understanding on concept of community business and they got engaged into marketing activities. Farmers sold their products for higher prices, especially organic rice. Part of the profit has been invested in rural development. - About 10 community shops were developed as “model shops” for other farmers to learn about cooperatives functioning. - The capacity of rural women leaders is improving, and the rural women network was reinforced. The women leaders develop skills to analyze women issues as well as to come up with creative ideas and solutions. This core group of rural women leaders is potential motor for the development of women groups and expanding women network so that the more women farmers can benefits from the FNN services and activities. Conclusion of projects officer FNN has transformed its organisational structure into a workable structure and has worked hard towards a better understanding about the mission, vision, roles and responsibilities of FNN among its members at various level. The provincial level has been reinforced and is taking its tasks seriously now. Membership fees are gradually being paid, which is an important initial step towards financial sustainability. The process of preparing a strategic plan by FNN itself (with assistance from Agriterra, AFDI and AFA) has strengthened the capacities of FNN staff and committee members and increased the ownership feeling of members. FNN is on the right track of becoming a national and provincial level farmers organisation, which can act as a lobby and advocacy institution as well as a service provider to farmers. The 6 networks are gradually taking shape and getting a stronger voice. Issues like marketing, business and credit cooperatives will need more attention in the future. It has been worthwhile to support FNN and based on the strategic plan 2009-2011 it is expected to continue the support to FNN. (...less...)
specialisms	\| Grass-roots participation \| Internal organisational strengthening \|

	APPLICATION
	APPLICATION

	DEFINITION
	DEFINITION

	EXECUTION
	EXECUTION

	RESULTS
	RESULTS

	PROGRESS
	PROGRESS

	RELATIONS
	RELATIONS

PROPOSAL

Agri-agency	Own contribution executor	Other parties	Total requested budget
Agriterra	FNN
€ 0,00 + € 0,00	€ 0,00	€ 0,00	€ 85.000,00

(1) Farmer and Nature network (FNN) was established in 2003 and has grown into a network of 1.140 village based farmers organizations, representing about 30.000 members of which 56% women from 11 provinces in Cambodia. Several specialized networks exists under the FNN umbrella like: organic rice producers network; community based cooperative workshops; young farmers network and rural women network.
FNN has a 4 level structure and operates at village, cluster, provincial and national level. FNN works in close partnership with CEDAC (Centre d'Etude et de développement Agricole Cambodgien) and jointly they want to expands their activities to 5000 villages by 2010.

(2) The specific objectives are:
• Reinforcement of FNN at local and provincial level
• Reinforcing and expanding specialized networks under the umbrella of FNN
• Reinforcement the capacity of FNN in providing services to its members as well as in working for the interest of small farmers

Expected results:
• FNN provincial assembly and committees in 10 provinces are established and they are functioning effectively
• The FNN National Assembly and National Committee are formed and they are functioning effectively
• Creating 3 new national specialized networks of FNN: chicken producer networks, pig producer networks, saving for self-reliance networks and strengthening the 4 existing networks: organic rice producer networks,cooperative shop networks, rural women networks and young farmers networks
•FNN representatives at each level participate actively in policy and strategies discussion with government and other stakeholders
•Increased confidence of FNN existing members in the national network and the expansion and integration of new members in the FNN structure from around 500 villages by the end of 2008, with around 10,000 new members. In addition, 600 farmers groups in existing villages are set up under the umbrella of VFA/VBO
• 40,000 individual members at village level are able to improve their living conditions through improved access to technical information, access to market and financial services

Main activities are the organisation of: 1. FNN Assembly meetings at national and provincial level and for specialised networks; 2. FNN provincial and national committee meeting; 3. coordination meeting among FNN representatives from provincial and national level and specialized networks;
4. Organizing meeting and training for members of the committee of specialized networks
5. Training of FNN committees on leadership and management and role of FNN in promoting family agriculture agenda
6. Supporting the expansion of FNN networks
7. Field supporting mission undertaken by FNN provincial, national committee, FNN secretariat and FNN advisor
8) Participating in meeting and exchange with partners and stakeholders

(3) tentative budget and funding, sources of funding
total project budget: € 125.223
requested to Agriterra: € 67.804 (55 %) which means about € 85.000 incl.
own contribution : € 6.887 (5 %)
third parties: € 50.532 (40 %) FNS, AFDI, MFR, AFA, CEDAC

(4) monitoring and evaluation: Logframe has been developed by FNN with indicators and clearly described activities and results.

(5) on sustainability and cost efficiency: FNN is much depending upon external funding. Own funding is about 5% (foreseen). With the targeted increased membership they should explore posibilities to increase income through membership fees. The preparation of a multiple years strategic planning is not included in the current proposal, but would allow for better planning of future interventions and strategies,inlcuding financial projections.

GOALS

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