During CSP implementation, intensive agribusiness trainings, coaching and linkage services to access markets and finance were provided to 99 agriculture cooperatives enrolled in two different cohorts. These services were aimed at strengthening capacities for the target cooperatives to make hem more professional and business competent with maximum benefits to both the market and cooperative members. A large majority of supported cooperatives were engaged in the production and distribution of food products (Maize, Beans, Irish potatoes and horticulture items). The sector becomes efficient when production and transaction costs are reduced and sustained relations ensured with potential clients. Cooperatives have received trainings on entrepreneurship and access to market (and finance) and have gotten support in the areas of market information, quality management, and contract negotiation management. Market identification and risk assessment was identified as a key challenge within target cooperatives. Coaching sessions helped cooperatives to put mechanisms in place to identify different market options at the beginning of every agricultural season and select the best one. Through regular advisory services, SPARK coaches assisted cooperatives to establish Product Regulations, which ensured that produced volumes and qualities meet market demands and standards to honour supply contracts. This will help them understand the quality they need to provide and build longer term, sustainable relations with buyers. FARM-FIRM Tool CSP was able to introduce a number of tools that connected different players in the value chain. For access to finance, those were tools which connected cooperatives and micro finance institutions and when it comes to markets, the Farm-Firm Tool played an important role. The mutual understanding between the farm and the firm was key, as does the titel suggest. Agri/SPARK Coach Cooperative Facilitation of pre-planting contract. These contracts allow farmers to loan money and invest in their production with minimum risk; they know they will sell. contract negotiations & understanding the contract Buyer Facilitation input developing (Processor/trader) to quality (from cooperatives), contracts and train cooperatives on how to meet the demand and requirements of the buyer. 23
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