Methodology The Land O’Lakes Farmer-to-Farmer approach concentrates on identifying areas where the program can have the greatest impact on the economies of each of the countries in which we work. The program strives to align with the goals that the local Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has established for the country. The program matches U.S. volunteers with local organizations in the countries where we work. In each country, in order to concentrate resources, we have chosen a key sector in the agriculture economy. The program covers costs related to the assignment:
international and local transportation, food, lodging, and where needed, translating. Offices in each country identify the most progressive local organizations to work with and provide support to visiting volunteers. How to Volunteer Volunteers are chosen from a database at Land O’Lakes. The skills and availability of the volunteer are matched to the request from the local organization. To be considered, please complete an application, either online or print and mail. For further details, review the information under the Get Involved menu on our website: idd.landolakes.com. Filling out an application does not commit you to traveling overseas. It allows us to contact you and determine your interest and availability when an assignment develops that fits the skill set and criteria that you have specified on the application. Southern Africa Farmer-to-Farmer This program focuses on five countries in the region: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. The programs are managed from our regional office in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, which works with offices in each of the countries. Angola -Market Linkages of High-Value Crops In Angola, transition to stability has ushered in new opportunities for producers. Volunteers through Land O’Lakes are working to strengthen the ability of farmer associations to deliver to the markets and retain a higher percentage of the profit from their produce. Land O’Lakes is doing this through cooperative development work and business skill training for associations. In addition, as markets develop, Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers are working with producers to use more modern intensive production methods for fruits and vegetables to increase production. Another approach the program is using is working to increase production by increasing the access of small producers to credit. Volunteers are working with producers on their business plans and with financial institutions on expanding their portfolio to include agriculture. Malawi - Dairy Industry In Malawi, the Farmer-to-Farmer program works to increase the capacity of the dairy commodity chain in Malawi. The demand for dairy products is higher than local supply, and this situation will remain for the foreseeable future, even after factoring in importations. The dairy industry lacks suppliers of low-cost inputs to increase production, strong dairy animal genetics and knowledge amongst producers of how to best care for their animals to maximize production. The program is founded around milk collection centers, established to organize producers to maximize their profits through improved production and to market their milk to commercial processors. Mozambique - Cashew/Oilseed Industry In Mozambique, the Land O’Lakes Farmer-to-Farmer Program is working to develop the cashew and oilseed value chain. This is a critical component of the agriculture economy, as these are crops that are raised by many small producers and also have potential for high returns. Volunteer assignments with processors and producer associations will focus on marketing, value-added processing, improving quality, and improving business skills. South Africa - Emerging Farmer Market Linkages With the end of the apartheid government in 1994, new opportunities appeared for all South Africans. For groups not of European descent, opportunities to begin businesses in agriculture were supported by a South African government loan program. These new farmers very often have years of experience as employees but little business and management experience. Land O’Lakes volunteers address this by providing business skills training. The program will focus on the following: (1) strengthen farmer associations who have the willingness and capacity to respond to market demands and then provide the necessary technical assistance to the critical links necessary for them to meet market demands; (2) locate high-value market linkages for these farmer associations, determine the requirements of these markets, and then provide the necessary technical assistance for them to meet and exceed these requirements; and (3) source critical inputs needed by farmers and farmer associations and develop out-grower schemes to source these important inputs. Zambia Dairy Industry: In Zambia, the dairy industry is very similar to Malawi, with demand for dairy products far exceeding the local supply of milk. The Farmer to Farmer Program addresses the key constraints within the Zambian dairy industry through three primary activity areas: 1) organization of producers into cooperatives or associations that will own and operate milk collection centers; 2) introduction of product and process technologies to the processing sector, including the establishment of an industry-led quality assurance campaign; and 3) an aggressive promotion and education campaign through the fledgling Zambia Dairy Processors Committee. Warehouse Receipts: The grain market suffers significant price fluctuation over the course of the year. Due to the lack of storage and a developed credit system, producers are disadvantaged by these market swings and typically have to sell their crop when the price is the lowest. The Farmer to Farmer Program will work in support of a local organization that is developing a warehouse receipts program. Volunteers will work in three primary activity areas: 1) training personnel on warehouse management, 2) futures markets, and 3) increasing participation of producers. To find out more about the Southern Africa program, please contact:
In the U.S: Maria Matlashewski Phone: 651-494-5130; :Fax: 651-494-5144 E-mail: MPMatlashewski@landolakes.com	In Southern Africa: Phil Bowes Phone: 27-0-43-7268816 E-mail: Philip.landolakes@eci.co.za