Presentation of GAI’s

AGRIBUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES

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The problem : Persistent low productivity

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Crop NISR Average yield (kg/ha)

MINAGRI Average yield kg/ha

Farmers’ productivity (%)

Maize 1,871 5,000 37%

Cassava 3,088 35,000 9%

Sweet potatoes 8,474 21,500 39%

Cooking Banana 6,197 21,500 29%

Vegetables 8,374 27,500 30%

Irish potatoes 10,916 30,250 36%

Bush beans 729 2,000 36%

Climbing beans 973 3,750 26%

Mangoes 5,485 23,438 23%

WHAT IS GAI Ltd

G.A.I Ltd = Gira Agronome Iwawe (Have your Farmhouse Agronomist)

A private commercial company providing proximity agribusiness advisory services and related consultancies.

The Overall objective is to contribute to poverty eradication in Rwanda by increasing sustainable agricultural production through support to the culture of agribusiness among farmers.

Targeted customers are Individual farmers, Farmers’ cooperatives , Associations of farmers, Agricultural enterprises and Agricultural support institutions.

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A project funded by ICCO-Cooperation through Capacity Building Facility Funds.

Amount received: 9,827 Euros

Funding date: May 2015

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Background

A project that has been designed by GAI /Gira Agronome Iwawe in order :

to professionalize agricultural producers of Musanze and Burera District through empowering GAI Ltd logistically and technically

To facilitate strong partnership for future linkage with farmers

To popularize GAI’s Agribusiness model and services.

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Project objectives To sensitize the population of Musanze and Burera

Districts on the existence of GAI’s PAAS

To facilitate GAI’s customer services and monitoring by strengthening its logistic

To increase quality and quantity farm production by strengthening technical capacity of GAI’s PAAS

Provide PAAS to interested farmers (Individual, grouped or as enterprises)

To improve farmers’ services by developing useful linkages between farmers and other service providers

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Realization 1:Marketing of GAI’s services

Using publishing communiqués on Radio

Opening a website as it is named www.gailtd.com

Registering in professionalized agricultural network like Agripofocus.com

Participating in agricultural show such the agricultural show of Mulindi in June 2015, the agribusiness show of Ngoma in August 2015 with the support of Agriprofocus,

Active participation in different meetings organized by Sector and District authorities as well as the monthly community work (Umuganda)

Designing and distribute leaflets and use publishing banners

Developing documentary film for better marketing

Providing interviews on Huguka and Izuba Radios

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Realization 2: Improving GAI’s customer services

Head office which has been open in Nyarugenge District, 2 sub offices were open in Musanze District and in Burera District.

In addition, new employees were recruited and trainings were organized to employees: Young, men and women agronomists of Musanze and Burera District were invited in the training. In total, 109 agronomists attended

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Realization 3 : Customer mobilization and recruitment

District Sector Number of farmers

Musanze Muko 2

Remera 4

Nyange 21

Musanze 11

Gataraga 14

S/Total 50

Burera Rugarama 116

Bungwe 4

S/Total 116

Gasabo Ndera 1

Kicukiro Masaka 1

Bugesera Ntarama 1

Total 175 2/24/2016

Realization 4: Farmers linkage with service providers

Farmers of Nyange were facilitated to access on improved Irish potatoes seeds

A big farmer of Ndera were assisted to develop an agribusiness project which were selected to be funded

A big farmer of Ntarama were assisted to develop an agribusiness project, she is now looking for funding institution

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Others agribusiness services Poor farmers of Musanze and Burera who are not

eligible to the bank credit have been facilitated to obtain input loan from GAI Ltd

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Sector Value of input Types of inputs Commodity crops

Rugarama 1.028.500 NPK 17-17-17 Irish potatoes, Wheat

Nyange 1.503.820 NPK 17-17-17, Irish

potatoes seeds, Organic Manure, Pesticides

Irish potatoes, Tamarillo, Sorghum

Muko 79.260 Organic Manure, Pesticides

Tamarillo

Gataraga 173.340 NPK 17-17-17 Irish potatoes Total 2.784.920

Lesson learnt GAI’s Business Model has interested some partners

such authorities of Musanze, Burera Districts and MINAGRI.

The agricultural productivity was increased for farmers who respected their engagement and advices.

GAI is actually a technical supporter for young graduates who want to improve their knowledge in terms of agricultural extension.

Trained Agronomists agree that GAI will give more job opportunities.

National exhibition gave more opportunities

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challenges RELATED FARMERS

New business for Rwandan farmers: shifting from gratuity services to sold services make difficulties to convince

Partial engagement of some clients (farmers do not respect their engagement for success)

Limited access to farmers, complicated by separated registration

Limited financial capital

RELATED GAI as institution

Lack of control on climate

Insufficient skills regardless to the need of farmers: laureate agronomists were narrowed by specialization

Lack of means to retain advisors

RELATED OTHERS INSTITUTIONS

Cold support from governments’ institution such as MINAGRI, RAB, DISTRICTS or non governmental institution

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Perspectives and sustainability GAI developed easy ways and cheap prices of advisory

services. Thus, farmer choose to pay cash monthly or seasonally; he can also choose to pay in nature of productions

GAI plans to train every young laureate agronomist in order to fulfill the need of farmer

Even if GAI meets many challenges, the following strategies will allow GAI to sustain and grow:

GAI is exploring the potential to work with cooperatives of farmers, Groups of farmer in Twigire approach and big farmers living out of their farm.

GAI is replicating the business model on demand: Business started in Bugesera, Gasabo and Ngarama Districts

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THANK YOU

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