Farmforce - Digitalisation for Farmers
Farmforce's objective is to remove trade barriers for smallholding farmers and to use the power of technology to revolutionize how market-linkage and value chain projects are managed. It provides real-time management information to all stakeholders in the value chain, simplifies the monitoring of sustainability standards as well as the traceability of a product and it reduces transaction costs within the whole process.
It is expected that more farmers can be included in market linkage initiatives and that farmers achieve better agronomy practices which lead to higher productivity and quality.
| Country/region | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|
|
Switzerland Global |
05.10.2012
- 31.12.2016 |
CHF 2’250’000
|
-
Project number UR00612
| Background |
Linking smallholders in emerging and developing countries to international markets is an important market-based mechanism to promote sustainable development. Yet, experience shows that linking a large number of primarily low-educated smallholding farmers scattered in rural areas to sophisticated professional markets poses a number of challenges that can seriously undermine feasibility and sustainability of market-linkages projects. Farmforce addresses this gap. |
| Objectives |
The overall goal is to increase access for smallholding farmers and producers to global markets. Furthermore, the project shall increase acceptance of food and sustainability standards in smallholder farming. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
The project intends to increase income of smallholder farmers using Farmforce. It shall also support the establishment of new market linkages for producers and SMEs. Furthermore, Farmforce helps to reduce transaction costs in providing services to smallholder farmers and also supports that food and sustainability standards are well know and accepted by farmers. |
| Results |
Expected results: Increased annual productivity through Farmforce crop calender. Replacement of paper-based processes of contract farming arrangements. Availability of a real-time Management Information System. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SECO |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’250’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 2’000’000 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 05.10.2012 - 31.12.2016 (Completed) |
