Producer training

Technical Assistance Fund (TAF)

Fairtrade Africa aims to broadly support producer organisations in the continent and through this fund it aims to improve their access to markets. You can find more information on Round 3 here.

The aim of the TAF is to finance training or capacity building in the following areas:

The technical support provided to producer organisations through the TAF can take many forms. For example, this could involve formal training (such as attending or hosting a training course at the producer organisation), having a qualified coach work alongside the producer organisation to provide support on a specific issue over a longer period of time or working with another producer organisation in the same region to increase capacity in the same areas (in this way producer organisations can pass on their applied learning to other producer organisations).

All Fairtrade producers are invited to apply and will receive assistance with filling out the application form, sourcing service providers etc, should the need arise.

• Improving capacity of senior managers to manage more effectively, in developing business planning and financial management, supply chain management or environmental management.
• Strengthening internal systems (including database management) and institutional structures (including governance issues) of producer organisations.

Case study – Ndumberi Coffee Growers Co-op (Kenya)

Training:

• Agronomic capacity building of co-op members
• Manager trained in cupping and quality assessment – co-op is now able to pack its coffee for local market
• Governance and financial stewardship training

Results:

• Achieved highest payment rates for farmers in its district (quality and efficiency
• Increased interest from American buyers
• About to procure a modern wet mill on loan – only accessible to co-ops with promising business prospects
• Award of 2nd best managed coffee co-op in Kenya