World Food Programme (WFP) initiated the Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) in 2016 to promote the sustainable pro-smallholder agricultural value chain of maize and beans, intending to increase smallholder’s income and foster commercial viability for private sector actors engaged in the Alliance.
Background
Maize is one of the priority crops identified by the government for support in the strategy for agricultural transformation. Maize and Beans play a significant role in Rwanda for food security and commercial potential. Therefore, enhancing the maize and beans value chain represents an accurate and precise option for achieving farmers’ livelihoods.
RDO and RWARRI implement the Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) project in 24 districts to support 83,747 farmers grouped into 247 cooperatives to raise farmers’ production, reduce post-harvest losses and increase marketable surplus.
The project activities include:
- Training of farmers in good agriculture practices (GAP) and post-harvest handling (PHHS)
- Linking farmers’ organizations with viable markets through contract farming with six big buyers; AIF, MINIMEX, EAX, SARURA, RGCC, and Gorilla Feeds.
- Support for post-harvest equipment acquisition
- Capacity building of cooperatives in good governance and financial management
- It is linking farmers’ organizations to financial institutions for input and output loans
RWARRI is implementing the project in 10 districts countrywide, Ngoma, Rwamagana, Gasabo, Rulindo, Gakenke, Burera, Gisagara, Huye, Nyaruguru & Nyamagabe with 125 cooperatives regrouping 50,177 farmers, including 24,091 females.
