Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 1

FARMER ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FOR FOOD & BUSINESS

ANNUAL PLAN 2013

Public version

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 2

Agri-ProFocus

Contact Information Postal address P.O. Box 108 6800 AC Arnhem The Netherlands

Visiting address Willemsplein 43-II 6811 KD Arnhem The Netherlands Telephone

+31 (0)26 354 2074 E-mail

info@agri-profocus.nl Website

www.agri-profocus.nl apf-benin.ning.com apf-burundi.ning.com apf-ethiopia.ning.com apf-kenia.ning.com apf-mali.ning.com

apf-mozambique.ning.com apf-niger.ning.com apf-rdcongo.ning.com

apf-rwanda.ning.com apf-tanzania.ning.com apf-uganda.ning.com apf-zambia.ning.com apf-down2earth.ning.com

apf-finance.ning.com apf-genderinvaluechains.ning.com apf-producers.ning.com

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The why, the what and the how, 2013 - 2016 ................................................. 5 1.1 The Why! .................................................................................................... 5 1.2 The What! ................................................................................................... 5 1.3 The How! .................................................................................................... 5 2. 2013, setting the stage ................................................................................ 7 2.1 Network development and coordination .......................................................... 7 2.2 Business and partnership brokering ............................................................... 9 2.3 From knowledge agenda to innovation communities and debate and learning ..... 10 3. Planning, monitoring & evaluation ................................................................ 16 4. Management partnership & network ............................................................. 17 4.1 Financial management ................................................................................ 17 Annex 1: General Budget ..................................................................................... 19 Annex 2: Members of the Core Group, Participants’ Council, Board and support office

team ............................................................................................................... 21

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 4

ABBREVIATIONS

B2B Business to Business

BBO Bureau for Policy Influencing of Development Cooperation

CBI Centre for the Promotion of Import from Developing Countries

DDE Department for Sustainable Economic Development

DG Directorate-General

DGIS Directorate-General International Cooperation

FDOV Facility for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Food Security

FDW Fund Sustainable Water

ISSD Integrated Seed Sector Development Programme

KIT Royal Tropical Institute

MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MSP Multi-sided platform

MVO Corporate Social Responsibility

NABC Netherlands-African Business Council

NCH Dutch Centre for Trade Promotion

NWO Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research

PPP Public-Private Partnership

PR Participants’ Council

PSD Private Sector Development

Q&A Questions and Answers

SANEC Southern African - Netherlands Chamber of Commerce

SME Small-Medium Enterprise

VHL Van Hall Larenstein

WUR Wageningen University and Research

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 5

Focus on Farmer Entrepreneurship for Food security

1. THE WHY, THE WHAT AND THE HOW, 2013 - 2016

1.1 The Why! Farmers worldwide are by far the major primary investors in agriculture and as such they

are critical to improving food and nutrition security for 9 billion people in 2050 and in

reducing rural poverty. That is why the Agri-ProFocus Dutch partnership and the Agri-

ProFocus international network support farmers who have the ambition and

entrepreneurial capacities to make their resources and social capital more productive and

sustainable. The mission of Agri-ProFocus is to create spaces and opportunities

for multi–stakeholder action as well as for learning to enhance sustainable

entrepreneurship among organised farmers. Three interacting groups form the

network: Dutch partnership member organisations, Agri-Hub member organisations and

individually connected professionals. The day-to-day running of the partnership and

network is assured by locally-steered Agri-Hub support teams and an overall support

team in the Netherlands. The products and services of Agri-ProFocus including the Agri-

Hubs are shared assets, from and for contributing partnership and Agri-Hub members.

1.2 The What! Agri-ProFocus has defined three focal

areas for the upcoming period:

Supporting organised farmers, Fostering

the farmer entrepreneurship support

system and Developing national and

regional markets. Two themes cut across

the above-mentioned focal areas:

Inclusiveness of services delivered and

Balancing economic growth and

sustainability.

Thematically, these focal areas can be be

categorised as follows:

Farmers as partners in agri-business

Activities that deal with farmer organisations and farmers and their business relations

(firm-farm relations).

Sustainable production

Includes activities on: food security, natural resource management, land and water

rights, inputs and technology. There is room for focus on specific commodities (potato,

oilseed, dairy, onion, etc.)

Market development and Linkages

Any topic dealing with: agri-business development services, market information, regional

trade, agro-logistics, business brokering, training and entrepreneurship, business climate

and specifically financial services.

Inclusiveness

The activities focus mainly on gender and generation (youth) in agriculture.

1.3 The How! Agri-ProFocus’ cooperation modalities and services are developed and offered in both the

Agri-Hubs and in the Netherlands. Experience shows that the networks’ current

knowledge dissemination, business/ partnership brokering and advocacy functions work

best if one level feeds the other (and vice versa) in a coordinated way.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 6

Agri-ProFocus can best be defined as

a multi-sided network. An

organisation that creates value

primarily by enabling direct

interactions between two (or more)

distinct types of affiliated customers

is called a multi-sided platform

(MSP).

The Agri-ProFocus method consists

of sharing knowledge and co-

creation. Our results, which we call

‘market triggers’, are effectively

aimed at improving the support

system for farmer entrepreneurship.

Those improvements we call the ‘market uptake’; in other words, “How is the market of

stakeholders responding?” and “Have the results of the network actually been put to

good use?” This can be measured in terms of business deals, innovation and policy

changes. Further down the line, the improved support system should contribute to strong

farmer entrepreneurs who are able to make better informed choices for farming as a

business.

Within its direct sphere of control ‘knowledge sharing & co-creation’, Agri-ProFocus,

within its four years’ Strategic Plan, formulated four intervention modalities:

Four intervention modalities

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 7

2. 2013, SETTING THE STAGE

2.1 Network development and coordination 2013 is the year to set a solid stage and a strong reference point for the four years of our

Strategic Plan, 2013-2016. The renewed commitment of the Dutch members to the

partnership forms a strong backbone. The Agri-ProFocus partnership counts 33 members

at present. Signing up to the partnership agreement in the first place means a

commitment to the mission and reciprocal delivery of resources, information and

knowledge; this is in order to develop and strengthen the totality of the network assets.

For the Dutch partnership, increasing membership numbers as such is not a target.

However, the quality of the membership is. Based on experience, we therefore encourage

interested parties to participate in a number of activities and Agri-Hubs, before they

apply for membership.

Private sector companies regularly approach the support team and especially the Agri-

Hubs for information and ad-hoc advice and in the Agri-Hubs involvement and

participation of local SMEs is steadily growing. Through business and partnership

interventions, we expect to get more leverage amongst the national and Dutch private

sector in de Agri & Food sector. Concrete opportunities from the Agri-Hubs will provide

the foundation for building stronger relations with other private sector networks and

organisations such as SANEC, NL Agency, Partos MKB Desk, NABC, NCH, the Base of the

Pyramid Inc., and the top-sectors ‘Agri&Food’ and ‘Horticulture and Propagation

Materials’. In conclusion, the key word for private sector involvement is ‘collaborative

action’ on an activity- and partnership-base, rather than on a membership-base.

There is an identified need from Dutch partnership professionals to strengthen the

interaction, other than through the bi-annual PR (Participants’ Council) meetings and the

more general modalities of the bi-monthly newsletter, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

It is expected that the coordination and network development in the Netherlands will

result in the recognition of Agri-ProFocus, at the end of 2016, as the Dutch Platform for

Farmer Entrepreneurship and Food Security. In 2013, the following concrete steps will be

taken:

Reconfirmation of financial and moral commitment from current partnership members

to the Agri-ProFocus vision, mission and ToC; 2 additional members in 2013;

Close cooperation with DGIS/DDE and EZ around their Food Security Policy

Framework;

Increasing private sector involvement (engagement by Dutch agri-business

companies, link to private sector umbrellas) and active linking of partnership and

network potential through online portals;

Increasing individual membership in the Netherlands in terms of free participation on

the online platforms and in expert meetings (on invitation).

New activities defined so far include:

Organising two-monthly “Burning food & business issues” network meetings for

members and enterprises working on food security issues;

Revitalising bilateral annual account management sessions with PR members;

Facilitating efficient, division of task and information sharing of outcomes regarding

relevant seminars, meetings, political moments etc. Anchor point through the policy

group and knowledge institutions. Closed Yammer or LinkedIn groups will facilitate

the interaction;

In 2013, a minimum of 4 expert meetings will be held, based on member demand;

Over the course of 2013, the options of integrating our website and the online

communities will be explored and developed further into a realistic project.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 8

Over the past two years, the Agri-ProFocus network has expanded from 7 to 12 Agri-

Hubs. So within three years the number of Agri-Hubs will have doubled. The current 12

operational Agri-Hubs are in different phases of development. We distinguish start-ups,

medium and mature Agri-Hubs. Each Agri-Hub is steered by a local team, administered

by the lead organisation and coached/ supported by a network facilitator from the

Arnhem support office. The maximum number of Agri-Hubs foreseen in 2016 is 16.

Lead per country + no. of professionals

Country Lead Number of professionals*

Benin SNV 420

Burundi ICCO 129

Ethiopia ICCO/ Fair & Sustainable 523

Indonesia Hivos n.a.

Kenya SNV 790

Mali ICCO/ Fair & Sustainable 215

Mozambique SNV 228

Niger Oxfam Novib 149

RD Congo ICCO 104

Rwanda ICCO 358

Tanzania SNV 176

Uganda SNV 1644

Zambia SNV 238

In 2013, one additional Agri-Hub – probably Indonesia – will be launched. The inception

has started in 2012 and it is expected that this Hub will be launched in May. We do note

that inception of new Agri-Hubs is always on demand by a sufficient number of members

willing to put up resources. Identification for another start-up in 2014 is planned for the

second half of 2013.

Priorities across all Agri-Hubs in 2013, as defined in the country Annual Plans, include:

Growing Agri-Hub network membership in quantity and quality for all stakeholder

groups, particularly activating the private sector (local and international companies,

producer organisations and farmers);

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 9

Cooperating with local Dutch Embassies on their Food Security Policy Framework and

promotion of Dutch business linkages;

Strengthening regional clusters of members to facilitate outreach to and expand

membership of (organised) farmers and agri-businesses across the country;

Increasing resource-sharing for activities by local members, as well as continued

commitment of Dutch members;

Consolidating local governance through steering committees and member

subscription to a Code of Conduct;

Adequate monitoring and evaluation of network progress by appreciation surveys

(yearly) and on-going tracking and collecting of quotes and deals made.

To facilitate the growth in numbers and

coordination dynamics, the support of Agri-

ProFocus Office in Arnhem acts as a

sparring partner. This with particular

attention to getting the basics right:

facilitating the Agri-Hubs in getting the

local networks organised in terms of their

governance, the furnishing of online

platforms and the agreement upon and

implementation of the procedures for

planning, monitoring and evaluation.

In the upcoming period, attention will be

on activities, tools and products that can

make the Agri-Hubs work together

effectively and efficiently. In 2013, we will start with training Agri-Hub staff in online

platform moderation and effective network facilitation. Furthermore, there will be the

annual Core Group Meeting for all Agri-Hubs.

2.2 Business and partnership brokering More and better support to

entrepreneurial farmers is at the heart

of Agri-ProFocus. With the Agri-Hubs

maturing into networks that are

attractive for different types and levels

of agri-business, there is both a need

and demand for up-to-date market

intelligence and brokering, to foster a

pre-competitive environment for deal-

making.

In 2013, Agri-ProFocus will develop

specialised face-to-face and online

services. This needs to result in more

effective business linkages between

organised farmers on one side and firms, banks and traders along the chain on the other

side. This can include the local private sector as well as Dutch traders and investors. In

2013, Agri-ProFocus will develop the following capacities, services and products to

deliver:

Market Intelligence on Food & Business

The support office will systematically provide the Agri-Hubs with information on the

availability of Dutch Private Sector Development instruments that are available (e.g.

Match-Making Facility, CBI Export Coaching programmes, PUM advisory services)

The support office will assist Dutch members to systematically articulate their offer

and demand within the network. Dutch members can share this information on online

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 10

platforms, in Agri-ProFocus newsletters and on the Agri-ProFocus website, as well as

during joint events in the Netherlands and abroad;

All Agri-Hubs will develop online directories of agri-businesses. These will function as

‘Yellow Pages’ – a virtual who-is-who. This will be complemented by further

developing the online market places for offers and demands.

Each Agri-Hub will develop its capacity to offer – both pro-actively and on demand –

quick-scans into promising sectors by using the collective intelligence of the network.

Business & partnership brokering

Sustainable Match: Agri-ProFocus partners with MVO Nederland, Oxfam Novib and

BBO to develop a methodology for realising sustainable matchmaking between

entrepreneurs (small & medium) in developing countries and the Netherlands. This

will result in two Dutch SMEs missions in the first semester (Bangladesh and Uganda)

and possibly a third to another Agri-Hub in the second semester. Facilitation of partnership development among (Dutch) members, based on

opportunities arising (example PPP Facility Food Security (FDOV) in 2012 where Agri-

ProFocus supported several initiatives in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania) Developing the Q&A function for deals and partnerships for the whole network (50–80

annually at Netherlands level, 25 – 100 through each Agri-Hub).

Business brokering activities in each Agri-Hub can be found in each annual Agri-Hub

plan and will include B2B cocktails, as well as dissemination events for investment

opportunities.

Roll-out of the “Agri-business finance fair” concept (farmers meet banks) and tools

will be continued and extended to include also other business interactions (traders,

buyers, service providers).

In 2012 the Agri-Hub Ethiopia brokered a Food Security and Rural Entrepreneurship

Fund through the Dutch Embassy. This Fund, which is to be administered through

ICCO, will use the Agri-Hub to develop a pipeline for propositions. In 2013, a similar

Fund is to be developed with the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda.

2.3 From knowledge agenda to innovation communities and debate and learning

The development from organisational support (facilitation of multi-stakeholder

workshops) to a jointly formulated knowledge agenda with the Dutch knowledge partners

has been part of the previous strategic period. Over time, the Agri-Hubs have developed

into larger and more active networks. With this maturation, a need arose for a different

form of support by knowledge professionals, which led to the formulation of a cross-

country knowledge agenda. At the basis of this were emerging issues identified across

the Agri-Hubs. Five major cross-country themes were selected, as depicted below, with

‘monitoring and evaluation’ as a supporting theme.

The focus in this Annual Plan is on smart connections: between knowledge programmes

of all member organisations, and the interests and knowledge demands of the Agri-Hubs.

These are shaped in so-called innovation communities and platforms for debate and

learning. With the innovation communities, Agri-ProFocus offers an organising principle,

with a focus on specific topics, a long-term vision on improvement and change.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 11

With this focus, Agri-ProFocus aims to:

Bring existing knowledge and research results to the (professionals working with)

farmers so that it will be used to increase their production and income;

Improve the process of how farmers communicate with knowledge partners in order

to induce research activities with high practical value (improving the learning cycle);

Thus, increasing the impact of existing knowledge programmes of partner

organisations, both within and outside the Agri-Hubs.

To do so, in 2013 Agri-ProFocus will start to:

Form a pool of professionals of Dutch knowledge and education institutes who are

committed to the network;

Get these professionals to act as sparring partners in our innovation communities to

lift ‘the debate’ to a higher plan (induce knowledge questions and possible research

activities);

Offer the services of our knowledge partners to the Agri-Hub networks in a

transparent way and offer opportunities for agri-professionals to articulate their

knowledge questions (market development for knowledge);

Involve local knowledge institutes in the innovation and learning communities of the

Agri-Hubs;

Attract (new) funding sources for joint knowledge programmes.

Last but not least, the Food & Business Knowledge Forum, initiated by MoFA and

functional by mid-2013, will offer a unique opportunity for Agri-ProFocus. Connected to

this forum are the WOTRO-managed Applied Research Fund and the Global Challenge

Programme for Food & Business. A secretariat will be appointed to facilitate the intended

communities of practice. Agri-ProFocus, with its multi-sided platform concept, its capacity

and enormous network, is well positioned to take up this function. In any case, Agri-

ProFocus will be actively involved in the forum to:

Connect network practitioners;

Identify burning issues through the Agri-Hubs and facilitate research and

practitioners’ coalitions around these issues.

Innovation communities Agri-ProFocus fosters the development of strong communities of practice, particularly

around identified key thematic areas. These communities are to expand across Agri-Hub

countries and in the Netherlands as far as possible. Agri-ProFocus will facilitate and build

the capacity of members to take lead positions in these communities.

Innovation Communities want to improve the functioning of agricultural value

chains by promoting certain innovations or improvements in either

1. Agricultural value chains, chain actors and their relations

2. Support systems and actors for agricultural value chains

3. Context and environment of agricultural value chains

In an innovation community, partners are working together on a joint problem (or

opportunity!) to come to innovative solutions which lead to an improved

development practice. The problem is an essential issue for farmer

entrepreneurship.

Innovation: an invention put to use.

Community: professionals connected to resolve a particular issue.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 12

Based on the Annual Plans of the Agri-Hubs for

2013, interesting topics and activities came up

which have the ambition and the opportunity to

become cross-country innovation communities.

This would be the case when either:

1. The topic is put forward by several Agri-

Hubs, or

2. There is a good basis from the

Knowledge Agenda which we want to

develop further, or

3. It is a hot topic in the international

debate.

These are so far:1

Innovation Community Agri-Hub countries

Farmers as partners in agri-business

Farm-firm relations (1,2)

Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali,

Niger, Rwanda, Uganda

Sustainable production

Dairy value chain (2)

Potato value chain (2)

Inputs and technology (seed,

others…) (2)

Kenya, Uganda, Niger

Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Niger,

Uganda

Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger,

Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda

Market development and Linkages

Agri-business development services

(1,2)

Access to finance (1,2)

Regional markets and trade (3)

Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Niger,

Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia

All Agri-Hubs

All Agri-Hubs

Inclusiveness

Gender in value chains (1,2)

Young farmer entrepreneurs (2)

Benin, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia,

Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Niger,

Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

It is essential to connect and strengthen the demands identified to on-going and/ or

planned knowledge and research programmes of Agri-ProFocus members. As in the past

we need dedicated lead professionals to team up with the Agri-ProFocus support team

innovation topic leader. For each community, process steps will be defined in the first

quarter of 2013 in close collaboration with the Agri-Hubs and the topic co-leader from a

member organisation adopting the topic.

On the other hand, existing and planned knowledge and research initiatives of members

outside the above scope can be scaled up and reinforced by connecting them through the

broader Agri-ProFocus network. This was done for instance in the case of the ISSD

programme of WUR/CDI and in several FDOV proposals (Rumptstad, RijkZwaan/Hivos,

WUR). This is an on-going process that requires members to consider the shared asset of

the Agri-Hubs and the Agri-ProFocus support team.

1 The numbers behind each innovation community refer to the three reasons mentioned above.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 13

Platform for debate Looking at history, at moments when it was opportune, the partnership has been able to

have a voice in policy documents (e.g. Koenders, Verburg, Food Security Support

Programme, Knowledge Forum Food & Business). There is an opportunity now to further

develop this role.

As a platform for debate the Dutch partnership intends to influence policy in two ways:

a. Agri-ProFocus acts as a platform for policy influence for its Dutch members, in the

field of food security and sustainable food production.

b. Agri-ProFocus’ experiences with Agri-Hubs are taken into account in the

implementation of the Dutch agricultural development policy.

In the Netherlands, an Agri-ProFocus Policy Group Food Security has been established in

2012. Its secretariat falls under the Director, who is technically supported and updated

by BBO. The group meets about six times a year and acts together on emerging policy

issues. This group is open for members to join and/or they can be agenda members

and/or updated upon request.

In 2013, this policy group in the Netherlands will focus on:

delivering input for the revolving fund modalities;

the food & business chapter of the policy brief of MoFA;

global food waste;

regional and national market policies;

the instruments of the Food & Business Knowledge Forum;

FDOV procedure feedback;

other issues brought forward by actuality and/or members’ demand.

Through members, the link with the European development cooperation policies will be

high on the agenda.

From a community facilitation perspective and in times of scarcity of human resources in

the sector, the added value of Agri-ProFocus is in the smooth and timely transfer of

information. In 2013, the policy group will develop a shared representation and reporting

system. Participants can volunteer to share their information and insights, gathered from

relevant platforms, meetings and committees attended. This will result in a two- monthly

Food & Business Update Flash for and by members only and facilitated by Agri-ProFocus.

Several Agri-Hubs also have policy groups and issues related to farmer entrepreneurship

development and food security are discussed regularly face-to-face or online. In 2013,

Agri-Hubs will:

Support local members to carry out

joint policy research to support the

review, analysis and translation of

policies into understandable materials

and specific situations for farmers;

Facilitate members to co-organise

dialogue platforms for farmers, policy-

makers and other relevant

stakeholders.

The experience so far is that it is not easy

to develop a match between opportune

issues in the Agri-Hubs and the content of the policy debate in the Netherlands. At the

same time, there is a growing concern that local issues and voices are not sufficiently

‘heard’ in the Netherlands. While the online Agri-Hub platforms potentially are a source of

many voices and opinions, just launching discussions is not enough. In 2013, Agri-

ProFocus will look into an attractive an appropriate way of moderating this policy

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 14

interaction more systematically. It is expected that the planned knowledge forum and

attached instruments such as the secretariat and the applied research modalities will give

an enormous boost to this challenge.

The Agri-ProFocus Director will continue to participate in the steering group of the Food

and Business Forum and the PSD (Private Sector Development) platform. She will also

maintain close links with the top-sectors “Agro&Food” and “Horticulture and Propagation

Materials”. In addition, Dutch policymakers and MPs will be asked to participate in events

and meetings, organised by Agri-ProFocus.

Platform for learning

Agri-ProFocus and the Agri-Hubs in their totality function as a platform for learning. Open

data, free and efficient flow of information and knowledge are our trademarks. More

specifically, results from the innovation communities, the partnership brokering or

burning issues from the policy groups can be shared and communicated in open expert

meetings. Furthermore, members are encouraged to suggest relevant topics and take the

lead in co-organising learning trajectories and expert meetings.

Last year’s evaluation learned that the Dutch constituency is requesting Agri-ProFocus to

co-organise topic-focused expert meetings. It has become common practice in our sector

to ask practitioners in the field to provide input for action research, publications and high

level meetings. However, feedback on the results and outcomes is rarely given at country

or regional level. The 2012 cross-country knowledge agenda was already a good example

of a more reciprocal approach. In

2013, each Agri-Hub has planned a

number of expert meetings and

maintains enough flexibility to respond

to members’ demand, policy groups,

innovation communities and

partnership brokering trajectories.

Specifically for the applied universities

in the Agri-ProFocus network, the

learning platform is a unique

opportunity. The universities are often

looking to arrange thesis and

internship positions for their students,

as well as shorter-term assignments and case studies. The opportunity to attend Agri-

ProFocus expert meetings is also highly appreciated by their students, as is the practice

of using Agri-ProFocus/ member publications in their curricula. In addition, it is quite

likely that once back home, international alumni will remain involved and active in the

Agri-Hubs.

As a pilot in 2012, ten Van Hall Larenstein students successfully centred their theses

around the farm-firm trajectory, including practical country-based research work. In

2013, we want to professionalise and extend this service to all applied university

members. An efficient and timely way of bringing offer and demand together will be

crucial. The applied universities are also eager to use the Agri-ProFocus publications and

those of network partners in their curricula, as they are reflecting the reality of today.

Most knowledge members are competing in NUFFIC tenders and NWO-type applied and

fundamental research calls. However, all emphasise that they could benefit from sharing

intermediary and final project and programme results. They share a challenge: How to

go from knowledge to skilled farmers. In 2013, the start of a coalition “Knowledge for

skills development” is planned within the network, beginning with an expert meeting in

the Netherlands.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 15

The long list of topics identified for expert meetings in the Netherlands consists of:

Farm – Firm relations (WUR, KIT, VHL)

From knowledge to skilled farmers (ICRA, MDF)

How to connect smallholders to the growing demand of the dairy industry (DG-

Agro, WUR, Agriterra, Heifer)

Intensified agriculture without scaling (Hivos, Oxfam Novib, KIT)

Role of financial institutions in innovations – access to capital (KIT)

Agricultural extension anno 2013 (KIT)

Local Food systems (regional/ domestic markets) (ETC, DDE)

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 16

3. PLANNING, MONITORING & EVALUATION

As part of the strategic planning process, 2012 has seen an intense exercise of

appreciating, validating and planning for results. The Agri-ProFocus Theory of Change

has been further developed to make it more communicable and clear what we deliver.

This Annual Plan is an expression of that.

While we are good at planning and monitoring our direct results in the first circle, the

proof of the pudding is in the market uptake. Are the results of the network being put to

good use? And further down the line – are we making a difference (for farmer

entrepreneurs)?

In 2013, the first two levels of M&E (Market Trigger and Market Uptake) will receive

systematic attention as follows:

On-going collection of results by monitoring event uptake and use and feedback of

online marketplace/platforms;

Quarterly and annual reporting (financial and narrative) per Agri-Hub, based on a

standardised format and financial management system;

Standardised annual member appreciation survey methodology among Agri-Hubs;

Developing approach for outcome assessment through client surveys;

Experiment with farmer panelling, using video, internet/mobile technology and face-

to-face interviews.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 17

4. MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP & NETWORK

4.1 Financial management The total 2013 budget for the Agri-ProFocus network amounts to € 3.790.474 of which €

976.537 for the partnership activities and € 2.813.937 for the Agri-Hubs and cross-country

activities. The requested subsidy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2013 is €

2.482.474. Revenues from members for the Dutch partnership will add up to at least €

205.000.

For the Agri-Hubs at the start of 2013, total confirmed contributions from members and

local partners already add up to € 765.600. Anticipated matching from the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs amounts to € 1.007.000. In the first quarter of 2013, negotiations for

The Agri-ProFocus Participants’ Council

All partnership members have a vote/seat in the Participants’ Council and preferably assign a member of their management team to this function. Participants’ Council members have the task of operating as linking pins and are strong Agri-ProFocus ambassadors both in their respective organisations and externally. The Participants’ Council meets twice a year, elects the Board and advises the Board on member applications, programming, planning and all relevant developments.

The Agri-ProFocus Board A total of 7 Board members are elected for a maximum of 2 x 3 year-periods. Partnership members can propose candidates from their Board of Directors. Agri-ProFocus has an independent Chair who is also elected for 2 periods of 3 years. In addition, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economic Affairs participate in Board meetings as observers. Main criterion for the Board functions is a good mix of actor groups and Agri-Hub lead organisations. Board members are called upon as Agri-ProFocus ambassadors within their own

organisations and towards external contacts. The Agri-ProFocus support office A small and dedicated professional support office, consisting of a team of network facilitators, with competencies in agriculture, economics, process management and communication.

The Agri-Hub Core Group The Core Group consists of Agri-Hub coordinators, the Agri-ProFocus support team, lead organisation representatives and lead thematic innovation groups representatives. The Core Group meets face-to-face once a year to exchange experiences, to evaluate and to discuss strategic Agri-Hub management proposals.

The Agri-Hub lead organisation

Each Agri-Hub has been adopted by a so-called ‘lead organisation’, which takes full responsibility for the local institutional embedding of the Agri-Hub initiative. This includes taking charge of the administrative procedures and housing of the Agri-Hub coordinator and his or her team. Costs are covered by the general Agri-Hub budget and therefore shared by all those participating.

The Agri-Hub coordination team Each Agri-Hub has an Agri-Hub coordinator with one or two (part-time) staff members. As the Agri-Hubs are becoming increasingly professionalised, there is more need for procedures and rules as far as financial administration and management of activities is concerned.

The Agri-Hub advisory/steering committee This committee is composed of active Agri-Hub members who have taken up the lead for an Agri-Hub programme/activity. The committee advises the Agri-Hub coordinator and the assigned network facilitator (from the support office) on programmatic financial and management issues. Agri-ProFocus innovation, debate and learning communities These refer to specific knowledge and action groups, both in-country and across the network.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 18

securing this amount will take place at Agri-Hub level. With the Dutch embassies,

negotiations for activity- & service-based contributions are also underway. Unfortunately,

the 50% - 50% arrangement with knowledge institutes (KIT, WUR) will be discontinued

as their core subsidy will not be prolonged. However, they will further contribute by

offering a considerable discount in consultancy and other requests from the partnership

and Agri-Hubs.

Starting in 2013, new financing models for the Agri-Hubs are being explored. Agri-

ProFocus is a shared asset, delivering services to its members and contributors. Agri-

ProFocus will not participate in tender procedures as a signing partner. However,

members are encouraged and advised to include the shared asset of the Agri-Hubs in the

project proposal and allocate the necessary budget accordingly.

The context in which the Agri-Hubs operate has changed, since the start of the first

initiatives in early 2009.

Over the past years, the Agri-Hubs have become bigger and more complex networks.

This has a number of consequences and features:

There is an increase in money flows surrounding the Agri-Hubs;

There are other sources of financing;

The Agri-Hubs have increasing responsibilities, looking at the number of staff involved

and the investments made in terms of activities.

This requires solid financial management:

For Agri-ProFocus to be accountable for the money flows around the Agri-Hubs;

To create financial transparency between the partners that are active in the Agri-Hub

and external sponsors;

To harmonise our financial management activities in all Agri-Hubs.

Accountability is an increasingly important issue in the financial management of the Agri-

Hubs. The Agri-ProFocus support office plays a fundamental role in this process by

reporting to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) and within the network to its

member organisations that are co-funding the activities.

Our individual member organisations, such as SNV, ICCO and Oxfam Novib, all have

excellent accounting systems. These systems all differ, however, and that is why we

have developed a uniform, simple but good, financial reporting tool for the Agri-Hubs, to

report back to the main donors of the Agri-Hubs. This tool is backed up by the accounting

systems in place at our members, and based upon the Finovion bookkeeping system that

is used at the Agri-ProFocus support office.

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 19

ANNEX 1: GENERAL BUDGET

2013

Partnership

A. Personnel 531.737

B. General costs 79.800

C. Activity costs 365.000

Total Partnership 976.537

Estimated receipts

Membership fee (€3.000) 100.000

Extra contributions members 105.000

Interest 3.000

Funding DGIS/DDE 768.537

Total receipts 976.537

Agri-Hubs 2013

Personnel 288.937

Activity costs 325.000

Agri-Hub coordination & implementation 2.200.000

Total Agri-Hubs 2.813.937

Estimated receipts

Funding DGIS/DDE 1.713.937

Investments Agri-Hub members 1.100.000

Total receipts 2.813.937

Grand Total 3.790.474

Grand Total Funding DGIS/DDE 2.482.474

Grand Total Funding members 1.305.000

Interest 3.000

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 20

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 21

ANNEX 2: MEMBERS OF THE CORE GROUP,

PARTICIPANTS’ COUNCIL, BOARD AND SUPPORT OFFICE TEAM Agri-ProFocus Core Group (January 2013)

Country Name Organisation

Benin

Network facilitator Jan Willem Eggink Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Marcel Djihoun SNV

Agri-Hub assistant Moussabihatou Saloufou SNV

Burundi

Network facilitator Jan Willem Eggink Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Christophe Bizimungu ICCO

Agri-Hub assistant Pascal Murasira ICCO

Ethiopia

Network facilitator Wim Goris Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Gerrit Holtland ICCO/ Fair & Sustainable

Agri-Hub assistant Amarech Haile Berehe ICCO/ Fair & Sustainable

Indonesia

Network facilitator vacant

Kenya

Network facilitator Marjolein de Bruin Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Tito Arunga SNV

Agri-Hub assistant Amos Thiongo SNV

Mali

Network facilitator Marjolein de Bruin Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Mamadou Diarrah ICCO

Agri-Hub assistant Victor van der Linden ICCO/ Fair & Sustainable

Mozambique

Network facilitator Wim Goris Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Cintia Portraite SNV

Agri-Hub assistant Leonardo Buchili SNV

Niger

Network facilitator Marjolein de Bruin Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Rakiatou Gazibo Oxfam Novib

Agri-Hub assistant Ibrahim Oumarou Hamidou Oxfam Novib

RD Congo

Network facilitator Jan Willem Eggink Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Emmanuel Bahati Cimanuka ICCO

Agri-Hub assistant Daniël Steinmann ICCO

Rwanda

Network facilitator Jan Willem Eggink Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Espérance Mukarugwiza ICCO

Agri-Hub assistant Pascal Murasira ICCO

Tanzania

Network facilitator Wim Goris Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Apollo Muyanja Mbazzira SNV

Agri-Hub assistant Katarina Mungure SNV

Uganda

Network facilitator Inger Janssen Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Marieke van Schie SNV

Agri-Hub assistant Lucy Asiimwe SNV

Agri-Hub Agri-business linkage facilitator

Sylvia Natukunda SNV

Zambia

Network facilitator Christel Schiphorst Agri-ProFocus

Agri-Hub coordinator Claire van der Kleij SNV

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 22

Agri-ProFocus Participants’ Council (2013)

Name Member organisation

Klaas Steur Aeres Group

Sylvia van Buchem Agentschap NL

Kees Blokland Agriterra

Nathalie van Haren Both ENDS

Patrick Gouka CBI

Roldan Muradian CIDIN

Edith Boekraad Cordaid

Jos Dusseljee ETC Foundation

Toon Keijsers HAS Den Bosch

Rian Fokker Heifer Nederland

Paul Kemp Heineken International

Carol Gribnau Hivos

Evelijne Bruning The Hunger Project

Jeroen de Vries ICCO

Richard Hawkins ICRA

Rob Groot IFDC

Caroline Figuères IICD

Edith van Walsum ILEIA

Bertus Wennink KIT

Marcel Vernooij Ministry of Economic Affairs

Aaltje de Roos Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ingrid Plag MDF

Kees van den Burg Oikocredit

Sabina Voogd Oxfam Novib

Alex Meerkerk PUM

Pierre van Hedel Rabobank Foundation

Heleen Bos RijkZwaan

Lucas Simons SCOPEinsight

Eelco Baan SNV

Aart van den Bos Soil & More

Jan Maarten Dros Solidaridad

Denise Lapoutre TASTE

Robert Baars Van Hall Larenstein

Jennie van der Mheen Wageningen UR

Jos Bijman Wageningen UR

Maarten van Middelkoop Woord en Daad

Leendert Bos ZOA

Agri-ProFocus Board (2013)

Name Position

Kees Wantenaar Independent chair

Willemijn Lammers (ICCO) Secretary, Vice Chair

Thijs van Praag (PUM) Treasurer

Bart de Steenhuijsen Piters (KIT) Member

Lucas Simons (SCOPEinsight) Member

Caroline Figuères (IICD) Member

Vacant position Member

Aaltje de Roos (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Observer

Marcel Vernooij (Ministry of Economic Affairs) Observer

Agri-ProFocus Annual Plan 2013 23

Agri-ProFocus support office team (2013)

Name Position

Hedwig Bruggeman Director

Roel Snelder Programme Manager Agri-Hubs

Wim Goris Network facilitator Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania/ Innovation community leader Dairy, Seed

Jan Willem Eggink Network facilitator Benin, Burundi, RD Congo, Rwanda/ Innovation community leader Potatoes, Network development

Marjolein de Bruin Network facilitator Kenya, Mali, Niger/

Innovation community leader Inputs & technology, Students

Inger Janssen Network facilitator Uganda/ Innovation community leader Farm-firm relationships

Christel Schiphorst Support Facilitator Agri-Hubs

Marja Hennemann Management Assistant

Vera Hendriks Communication Assistant

Agri-ProFocus Partnership

www.agri-profocus.nl

http://apf-benin.ning.com/, http://apf-burundi.ning.com, http://apf-ethiopia.ning.com/, http://apf-kenya.ning.com/, http://apf-mali.ning.com/, http://apf-mozambique.ning.com/, http://apf-

niger.ning.com/, http://apf-rdcongo.ning.com/, http://apf-rwanda.ning.com/, http://www.tanzania.ning.com/, http://apf-uganda.ning.com/, http://apf-zambia.ning.com/, http://apf-finance.ning.com/, http://genderinvaluechains.ning.com/, http://apf-down2earth.ning.com/, http://apf-

producers.ning.com

Members:

www.aeresinternational.nl www.agriterra.org www.bothends.org www.cbi.eu www.ru.nl/cidin

www.cordaid.nl www.etc-international.org www.hasinternational.nl www.heifer.nl www.heineken.com

www.hivos.nl www.thehungerproject.nl www.icco.nl www.icra-edu.nl www.ifdc.org

www.iicd.org www.ileia.org www.kit.nl www.mdf.nl www.oikocredit.org

www.oxfamnovib.nl www.pum.nl www.rabobankfoundation.nl www.rijkzwaan.com www.scopeinsight.com

www.snvworld.nl www.soilandmore.nl www.solidaridad.nl www.fairtaste.nl www.vanhall-larenstein.nl

www.wur.nl www.woordendaad.nl www.zoa-international.com

Supported by:

www.minbuza.nl www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ez www.agentschapnl.nl