WHAT MAKES FARMER ORGANISATIONS FAIL?: FARMERS RESPONSE TO THE e3 ANCHOR FARMS MODEL TESTING, FROM KAKOMA TO MIDULE - Part 1
By George Z Goliati
e3 anchor farms model methodology: what will it involve?
The e3 anchor farms model methodology has 10 main stages, from identification of a potential or weak farmer organisation to marketing. The stages are divided into two main phases while each stage has sub-stages. The first phase would involve once off engagement and partnership development as first stage, which would end with acquisition of a solar-powered projector and tablet smartphone and other assets, while the second would involve repeated process, that is, value chain or market identification, business planning up to actual marketing or sales.
The first stage includes (i) identifying a weak or potential farmer organisations with existing underutilised warehouses, irrigation schemes, and land, and vulnerable farmers, (ii) partnership investment feasibility and market assessment (SWOT analysis), (iii) introductory meetings: awareness and sensitisation of the model, (iv) establishing, revising or maintaining the farmer organisation and finally, (v) contract agreement - memorandum of understanding.
The second stage is the "strategic planning", which includes (i) strategic plan proposal, (ii) orientation into commercial farming or agri-marketing and digital applications, (iii) strategic planning and management restructuring and (iv) identification of potential anchor farms. The third stage stage would involve presentation of the strategic plans to the authorities. Thereafter, the fourth stage would involve acquiring and/or providing solar-powered LED projector-tablet kit and operational skills, and marks the end of first phase.
The second phase would start with (i) identification and engagement of markets or customers (buyers) and business planning, (ii) identification and engagement of supporting services providers, (iii) improved production capacity building and structural improvements, (iv) inputs acquisition and disbursement, (v) production coordination (e-coordination) and (vi) marketing. This phase will be repeated, defining the function of the partnership.
The journey to the test the model
The journey to Chikwawa, in searching for a host for the test-phase of the e3 anchor farms model, destined at Kakoma trading centre and Chabwedzeka and Kamzimbi villages early July 2020, about 25km from the district administrative centre. As remote rural communities, they were found to be potential hosts for the test of the e3 anchor farms concept. Unfortunately, the communities had no collective marketing nor production structures.
However, the feasibility assessment indicated that about 120 farmers at Chabwedzeka and Kamzimbi villages were involved in irrigation farming using treadle pumps and watering canes. Most importantly, the farmers had a strong social cohesion and were involved collective approaches without some external influence like many communities. In addition, they were found to be involved in farming in the Lengwe national park, and they reported that "it will be a disaster if the national park management completely prohibits access to this land with installation of a fence around the park". As such, it was found useful and exciting to test the model with them. A warehouse and a ginnery were located a bit far at Fombe trading centre while nearest irrigation schemes were located at Kadumba, Tiyesenawo and Patalawo.
Another group of farmers was found at Kakoma trading centre early August 2020. The group had relatively educated members while the former had not. Considering the requirements of the model, it was seen appropriate to engage both groups. The two groups were invited to an introductory meeting on 10 August 2020. Surprisingly, they came in couples, taking along spouses and leaving out potential leaders as advised. Investigations indicated that they thought the meeting would end up with identifying beneficiaries for some aid. Since the introductory meeting is meant to clarify the model, they seem to have understood.
Then a next meeting, to discuss the establishment of a farmer organisation, as an association, by the two groups was arranged on 12 August 2020. Some farmers who found it unnecessary did not come. These were those that expected to register as beneficiaries, especially the "relatively educated ones" from Kakoma. However, the rest came in an impressive number, especially from Chabwedzeka and Kamzimbi villages. An interim executive committee of the association was elected the same day. Again, the model was emphasized, demistyfying any expectations for immediate benefits, rather, to build an organisation that would bring change in their farming and marketing approach. Registration process of the association was initiated. Unfortunately, some leaders had personal issues with other members, which is against the fundamental principles of the model. As such, the mission was cancelled.
From Chikwawa, it was learnt that some farmers may be self-motivated to take serious collective action but have no clues of making it. It was also learnt that it is necessary to check personalities and personal relationships during the feasibility assessment. The process was terminated before completion of the first stage, the "farmer organisation identification and engagement".
