 By increasing revenue and profit
Through the network of Associations, NASFAM facilitates the procurement, bulking and transport of member produce to the point of sale. NASFAM works to identify and secure domestic, regional and international markets for member produce
By improving crop quality and quantity
Members are provided with technical support to increase crop quality and yield, working in collaboration with external research partners on new varieties and techniques as appropriate. Much of the production capacity building work is done through NASFAM’s Farmer to Farmer training Programme, where progressive members are trained to train fellow members on successful and best-bet techniques for: • Selection of seed and use of fertilizer and chemicals • Land preparation, planting and crop husbandry techniques • Provision of crop production estimates for marketing plans • Harvest and post-harvest techniques for drying, grading etc NASFAM also promotes good practice in natural resource management, facilitating tree planting initiatives and farming techniques that are environmentally sustainable. NASFAM is also working in conjunction with other organizations to improve productivity through access to irrigation technology.
By enhancing Association Performance
As a farmer-owned and democratically run membership organization, NASFAM helps build the capacity of members to manage and own their Associations, through training in leadership. Committee strengthening and farming as a business. In addition Association staff and farmer leaders are provided with training on farming as a business so that they can support farmer efforts. NASFAM delivers this through an extension network of field-based technical assistance and support.
By expanding member livelihoods
NASFAM works with member communities’ to protect their livelihoods. Programs are run to mitigate against the impact of HIV/AIDS on the smallholder farming community, through awareness raising on prevention of infection. To care for and support those already infected, members are trained on how to improve nutrition and food security, using indigenous crops and labor saving practices such as drip irrigation and permaculture. Members are also sensitized on good individual and community practices with relation to issues of gender equality, child labor and food security. Adult literacy training is apriority to ensure that members are equipped with the necessary skills to manage their farming activities.
By expanding influence on policy
NASFAM lobbies on behalf of smallholders to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are considered. NASFAM takes part in various policy for a, representing issues raised by the smallholder members, such as trade and taxation issues, Government policy and Programme implementation.
By enhancing Systems performance
To keep members up to date, they are provided with topical information on all aspects of farming as a business and community development, from the twice-weekly NASFAM radio programme, quarterly newsletters and specialist crop bulletins. To ensure that the NASFAM system performs effectively, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme is in place to measure progress and impact on member’s lives. This is supported by a systems coordination function of financial, human resource, IT and administration services. |
