About Farm concern international
Farm Concern International: Empowering Smallholder Farmers in Africa
Farm Concern International (FCI) is a non-profit organization that aims to empower smallholder farmers in Africa by providing them with access to markets, finance, and technology. Founded in 1985, FCI has been working tirelessly to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the continent.
FCI was recognized for its innovation and creativity in reaching smallholder farmers among African banks, micro‐finance institutions and other service providers by the African and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) in 2013. This was during the AFRACA's “Value chain finance – lessons learnt/exhibition” forum held in Dakar Senegal in November, 2013.
FCI's mission is to create sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers through market-driven agricultural interventions. The organization believes that empowering smallholder farmers is key to reducing poverty and hunger on the continent.
One of FCI's core programs is Market-led Agriculture Program (MAP), which focuses on creating market linkages between smallholder farmers and buyers. Through MAP, FCI works with various stakeholders along the value chain including input suppliers, traders, processors, exporters as well as financial institutions such as banks and microfinance institutions.
Another program that FCI runs is Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Program (AEDP), which aims at promoting entrepreneurship among young people interested in agriculture. The program provides training on business development skills such as record keeping, marketing strategies as well as access to finance.
In addition to these programs, FCI also provides technical assistance on crop production techniques such as soil fertility management practices; post-harvest handling; storage technologies; value addition; quality control systems among others.
Over the years since its inception over three decades ago Farm Concern International has made significant strides towards achieving its mission of empowering small holder farmer communities across Africa through innovative solutions aimed at improving their productivity levels while also enhancing their access to markets, finance and technology.
FCI has worked with over 1.5 million smallholder farmers across Africa, helping them to increase their yields and incomes. The organization has also facilitated the creation of over 100,000 jobs in the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, Farm Concern International is a leading non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers in Africa. Through its various programs and initiatives, FCI has been able to create sustainable livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers across the continent. With its innovative approach to agriculture development, FCI is well-positioned to continue making a positive impact on the lives of smallholder farmers in Africa for many years to come.
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