AgriProFocus Zambia

Annual Report 2014

AgriProFocus Zambia

1 AgriProFocus Zambia Annual Report 2014

Colophon Report compiled by: Claire van der Kleij

Contact Information AgriProFocus Zambia

AgriProFocus Netherlands

Claire van der Kleij Network coordinator Zambia Visiting & Postal address SNV Office 7 Nkanchibaya Road, Rhodes Park P.O. Box 31171 Lusaka, Zambia T: +260 211 255174/5 M: +260 967 992 182 E : [email protected] Website http://agriprofocus.com/zambia

Wim Goris AgriProFocus network facilitator Visiting & Postal address AgriProFocus Jansbuitensingel 7 6811 AA Arnhem The Netherlands T: +31 (0)26 7600 397 M: +31 (0)6 539 646 70 E: [email protected] Website http://agriprofocus.com

http://agriprofocus.com/zambia

http://agriprofocus.com/


CONTENT List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 4 1. Sharing knowledge and co-creation ............................................................................................. 5

1.1 General overview ................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Network development and coordination ............................................................................. 6 1.3 Business and partnership brokering ..................................................................................... 7 1.4 Innovation communities ..................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Platform for debate and learning ....................................................................................... 10 1.6 Appreciation ..................................................................................................................... 10

2. Market uptake .......................................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Improved support systems ................................................................................................ 12 2.2 Farm - Firm deals .............................................................................................................. 13 2.3 Farm – Financial institution deals ...................................................................................... 13 2.4 Partnerships and investments ........................................................................................... 13 2.5 Policy improvements ........................................................................................................ 14

3. Management ............................................................................................................................ 15 4. Financial management .............................................................................................................. 16 5. Analysis and conclusions ........................................................................................................... 17


List of Acronyms DAZ Dairy Association of Zambia GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit IDE International Development Enterprise SNV Netherlands Development Organisation


Executive Summary This annual report 2014 summarises the results of AgriProFocus Zambia, the multi-actor network that AgriProFocus co-created in 2009. AgriProFocus Zambia is part of the global AgriProFocus network.

As a network we believe that primary producers are key to local economic growth, sustainable agri-food systems, and food security for all. AgriProFocus convenes stakeholders from the private and public sector and civil society that are committed to work with entrepreneurial farmers. We work through sharing and co-creating in order to improve the support system for farmer entrepreneurship.

This report provides an overview of what the network has delivered in 2014 under its four service areas (planned and unplanned): a. Network development and coordination. b. Business and partnership brokering. c. Innovation communities. d. Platform for debate and learning. In 2014, AgriProFocus Zambia has grown its network to 519 registered professionals and created new partnerships with HIVOS, MUSIKA, Cargill, NWK, IDE, GIZ and Alliance Ginneries. In 2014, 13 events were co-organised with an average participation of 61 persons. The network also expanded its focus by starting a new innovation community on gender in value chains. For the third consecutive year AgriProFocus organised an internet survey to all people in our network (registered online and all mailing lists). In total about 10% or 1625 people responded; among which 87 from Zambia. This is 5,3% of the total response and 16,7% of the 519 Zambian online members. In short, AgriProFocus Zambia received a very high appreciation of 3,47 on a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (good). The appreciation for the support team even higher with 3.5. As such Zambia scores higher than average across all AgriProFocus countries. The feedback from this internet survey and from mobile surveys during key events is used in this annual report. The comments, insights, lessons, knowledge, contacts, business opportunities mean a wealth of information for further improving network relevance to its members. One key demand from several members is about the outreach of services and events to regions outside the capital, Lusaka. The total value of deals made during AgriProFocus events, as reported by members, is estimated at max USD 35,000. The value of partnerships sealed within our partnership is max USD 285,000. Overall, the network has reached most of its targets set for 2014. It aimed to redesign itself as a service oriented network focusing on services towards Business Brokering and Access to Finance which are the two key priorities of the membership. The network has a high demand for brokering services and partnerships. Through extensive marketing and networking, AgriProFocus Zambia has been recognised as network to improve access to finance through its Agri-Business Finance Fair and. Also the presence of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock at the fair recognised the network and the fair as “a first of its kind in Zambia” showing the continued relevance of AgriProFocus.


1. Sharing knowledge and co-creation AgriProFocus Zambia is a result-oriented network for knowledge sharing and co-creation. It is aimed at improved service delivery by its members contributing to promotion of stronger farmer organisations and farmer entrepreneurship. The concept of AgriProFocus is the creation of a platform where Zambian, Dutch and international members forge mutually beneficial alliances. The alliances may take the form of direct investment, marketing arrangements, skills and competency exchanges, training and capacity building, exchange programs, ICT development programs, information exchanges, technology development and other beneficial relationships. In support of this network, the AgriProFocus Zambia coordination addresses cross cutting issues for joint action and innovation.

1.1 General overview In 2014, AgriProFocus Zambia increased its membership and events during the year. In the composition graph below, the membership increased amongst all types of stakeholders. The professionals include 26% women and 74% are men. We are happy to see more members taking the lead in activities and events, as shown by the events listed in the previous paragraph. In the co-organisation of events, the network secretariat focused on support, quality control, logistics at the venue and administrative support. AgriProFocus Zambia also signed contracts for joint activities (studies, trainings) with members and stakeholders: the Dutch consulate, DAZ, HIVOS, MUSIKA, SNV, Cargill, NWK, IDE, GIZ, and Alliance Ginneries. The collaboration with Wageningen University, Dutch consulate and PUM have resulted in new collaborations with local partners such as the Cross Border Traders Associations, Mulungushi University and University of Zambia. In 2014, AgriProFocus organised established several platforms for sharing and co-creation focusing on agro-processing, dairy, cross border trade, microfinance, gender and other network coordination events. See the list below.

Date Event Name Partici-

pants Co-organisers

14 May Validation Agro-processing Study 37 Dutch consulate

08 June Teaser Gender track workshop 21

17-18 Jul

PUM Strategic planning trainings I 30 PUM, CBTA

22 July PUM Strategic planning trainings II 21 PUM, CBTA

20 Aug Validation Business Viability Dairy study

32 DAZ, WUR

10 Sept Network Event Financial Fair 25

04 Oct Dairy investment study validation 25 DAZ

04 Oct Finance Fair 502 Ministry of Agric & Liv; FSDP; Amiran, SNV

15 Oct Kick off Gender track workshop 10 Nutri Aid

11 Nov Validation MFI study 21 C4M

11 Dec AgriProFocus Review and Planning 2014

22

10-21 Dc

Artificial insemination trainings 21 DAZ, SNV, HIVOS

Total 12 events 757


In 2014, the overall participation in our events is dominated by companies. See graphs below, companies make up 56% of participants. Companies were underrepresented at the biggest event, the financial fair, where we welcomed 250+ farmers.

Compared to the previous year, all stakeholder groups increased their participation, but private sector increased much harder. In 2013, we had only 2 events with 33 participants, as it was a year of redesigning the network with very minimal activities. The gender balance is 38% women participation in events, higher than the average of 24% in all country networks in 2014. Our explanation is that events in the dairy sector attract more women, as this sector has many women farmers and farmer organisations represented by women.

1.2 Network development and coordination

Online Platform The number of professionals that registered online has grown steadily from 162 in 2011 to 519 in 2014. This is higher than the targeted 500. The increase of 55% in the last year is also above the 41% growth rate of all country networks together. The number 519 is exactly the median of all country networks, the average number of professionals per country is 860.

Gender online Among the 519 Zambian professionals now registered online, females are 135 or 26%, which is the same % as in 2013 and close to the 24% average for all countries. But it is much lower than the 38% participation in the live events (295 females in total).


Organisational representation online As shown in the graph, the stakeholder composition of our online members is following the trend seen in the attendance at our events. In 2014, 184 professionals newly subscribed, 35% of them represent companies. The overall composition is 43% companies, NGO professionals come second with 25%. In addition to the online platform, AgriProFocus Zambia manages a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/AgriProFocus-Zambia/ to market the information on the platform more widely. It has 196 likes and helps us reach a wider audience including farmer entrepreneurs. Also, extensive marketing has been done this year to promote activities such as the Agri-Business Finance Fair on radio, television, newspapers. All efforts have enabled the network to double its online membership.

1.3 Business and partnership brokering AgriProFocus Zambia provides two key services for business: market intelligence on agriculture and agribusiness and business brokering support.

Market intelligence

The services include quick scans/studies, our directory and the overview of calls. AgriProFocus Zambia and members have undertaken 4 studies in 2014:

A study on agro-processing aimed to showcase the investment opportunities in this sector to Dutch private sector. The study was commissioned by the Dutch consulate and network members were invited to participate in the process. Some links with businesses have been established, for example between Mueller (milk cooling equipment) and SNV.

A study on dairy investment opportunities was conducted as a first step towards developing a database of investment opportunities along the value chain. An initial database in excel format has been completed, which next year will be transferred into an online database on the online platform.

The Dairy Innovation Community lead by Wageningen University (Alterra) conducted a study on the dairy business viability. More details about this study can be found in the case study below. This innovation community also discussed this with farmers and cooperatives at a workshop at the Agri-Business Finance Fair on how they can make their business more viable.

A scan of the microfinance sector in Zambia which provided an overview of intervention areas for members to improve the access to microfinance in the country. The study highlighted there is a need for two interventions: 1) innovative strategic partnerships between microfinance institution, farmers and/or agribusiness and 2) an organisation that works directly with the farmers through technical assistance or extension.

All four studies have been discussed in network events and are available on the online platform. The members involved in these studies were Dairy Association of Zambia, Alterra Wageningen University, SNV, MUSIKA, Centre for MicroFinance, and the Dutch consulate.

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

Composition professionals in %

2012

2013

2014

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Agri-ProFocus-Zambia/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Agri-ProFocus-Zambia/


The online directory on http://agriprofocus.com/zambia now contains profiles of 57 companies and organisations. In November 2014 all profiles under this directory were migrated to the new online platform, allowing for connecting to members in neighbouring countries. A third service the network provides is that we provide regular overviews of relevant calls and opportunities, info on promising sub-sectors, investors, investments and donors, for farmer entrepreneurship programmes and calls both, at the national and international level. On the old Zambia platform, there were 3 calls shared in 2014.

Business brokering support The business events AgriProFocus Zambia co-organized in 2014 are already listed in the overview above. The flagship operation was the Agri-Business Finance Fair in Choma which had 13 exhibitors and over 500 visitors (63% farmers). The main exhibitors included The Financial Sector Development Plan; SNV; DAZ; COMACO; Indo-Zambia Bank; FINCA; Zambian Fertilizers; Amiran; Stanbic Bank; African Grey Insurance; ZSIC Life Company; Investrust Bank and Frontier Development. More than half of the exhibitors indicated they were satisfied with the outcome of the event and almost 100% went home with new business contacts. The official opening of the fair was done by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Hon. Luxon Kazabu and accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Minister, the District Commissioner of Choma, and other senior government officials. During the event members also organised workshops and business fora where topics such as business planning, benefits of saving, farmer friendly agricultural packages, and practical investment opportunties in the dairy sector were discussed. During the event, a survey with smartphones was conducted among 135 visitors. 78 visitors indicated 120 new business contacts especially with financial institutions and farmer organisations. We also learned that members like a better preparation and sensitation of farmers prior to the event. The innovation community on access to finance decided to work on this through business plan training and development. Visitors and Exhibitors also encouraged to have matchmaking sessions between farmers-banks/insurers/others. Apart from the big fair, we brokered a link between the Cross Border Traders Association and PUM, with funding from the Dutch consulate. Two PUM missions have taken place to develop a strategic plan and for export marketing trainings with CBTA. 1 Other missions was less successful due to the lack of commitment from the client. A proposed mission to rice cooperatives did not fit PUM criteria and was cancelled. Third, AgriProFocus Zambia runs a Q&A service per telephone, online and visits to the office. In 2014, we brokered 43 requests, both from local, national and international business and knowledge relations. Questions relate to agricultural products, market entry & expansion strategies, financing options for agricultural projects and potential partners/collaborators in the agriculture sector in Zambia. 6 of these requests already have shown market uptakes including between the beekeeper and SNV, Rivonia and Incluvest, Zenith Business Solution and Wageningen University, Yambeeji and Amiran, FREPEGA and Rivonia, SNV and Radio Café.

http://agriprofocus.com/zambia


1.4 Innovation communities

Three innovation communities have been (re-)established in 2014 :

Access to Finance Dairy Gender in Value Chains

Members FSDP (BoZ), Amiran, IDE, RadioCafé

DAZ, MUSIKA, SNV, Agriterra, WUR, HIVOS, dairy cooperatives

NWK, Alliance Ginneries, Cargill, IDE, SNV, GIZ

Actions Co-organise finance fair Dairy Business viability study Teaser workshop

“ Training governance and financial management for dairy coops.

GVC Coaching track

“ Training in AI services Dairy Investment Study

Earlier work with innovation communities was focused on access to markets and rice sector. The Access to Markets group decided to focus on a single sector. It was agreed to change the name into Dairy Innovation Community since cooperatives, processors, NGOs, research institutions were committed to work together on issues on dairy. In the rice sector, we did start off with a good overview of stakeholders. However, these have been slow to respond to joint challenges and were not committed to a network process. It was decided to phase out our support. Agriterra maintains an interest with producer organisations in this sector. The working groups for the innovation communities on dairy and gender are most active in terms of joint activities. The dairy group presented their study at the financial fair. The gender group had an interesting spin-off, when MUSIKA requested to have a second coaching track with 6 companies in their portfolio.

CASE: Dairy Business Viability Study In Zambia the production of milk is low, and does not reach formal markets. There is uncertainty about price mechanisms in the dairy smallholder sector. Information about dairy in the country is generic with little consideration given to regional/ cluster dynamics. This gives small holder dairy farmers little leverage to negotiate for better prices. It is also important to establish some of the other social and economic factors that may affect profitability of small holder dairy farming in the country. These may range from the broader macro-economic situation in terms of policy and regulatory measures on dairy to local factors such as culture and attitudes. This study was led by Wageningen University in collaboration with MUSIKA, SNV and DAZ; it assessed the relative profitability of smallholder dairy farming and determining the socio-economic factors affecting it. This is because research based information on economic analysis of the relative profitability of smallholder dairy farming is lacking in Zambia. The study identified what the highest cost centres were for dairy stakeholders and provided recommendations on how to lower the costs, improve price setting to achieve increased economies of scale for a business. The main recommendations of the study were presented by DAZ and SNV at the Agri-Business Financial Fair in Choma (dairy stronghold) to the farming community. The study concluded that Smallholder dairy chain is profitable but the export of maize bran, the costs of veterinary drugs, short lactation length, farmers non growing pastures, importation of breeding stock at high cost(loans with high interest rates) are threatening the viability and profitability of the chain.


The study recommended that farmers should be trained in pasture production and conservation for the dry season; encourage commercial farmers to breed high grade dairy animals for sale to small scale farmers; reduce costs on inputs, AI and dairy equipment; encourage various processing channels, more dialogue platforms between processors and producers to increase transparency in the chain. The farmers provided feedback on the findings and the Dairy Innovation Community has developed joint activities on the basis of the first two findings for 2015 including an assessment on good business models for provision of AI services and a learning exchange programme on pasture production. The other recommendations will be addressed at a later stage depending on the demand of the innovation community.

1.5 Platform for debate and learning The Zambia network has transformed into a vibrant platform for information sharing. We marketed the online platform through advertisements, during events and trainings for new users. The country assistant provided ad-hoc one-on-one coaching with members that struggled to use the platform. The discussion forum has become most popular with 225 discussions in 2014. This is a big increase compared to earlier years. These 225 discussion include 59% entries to the market place. Per 100 professionals, the number of news items posted went up from about 34.6 in 2011 to 61.6 in 2012 down to 14.0 in 2013 and up again to 21.6 in 2014. This is a substantial increase and it is about the same as the average 22.6 news items per 100 members of all country networks in 2014.

The number of page views has grown from 11,843 in 2011 to 12,472 in 2012 and to 18,094 in 2013 and to 25,665 in 2014. The latter is an increase of 42% but still much lower than the overall average of 69,151 per country network. Online usage at least no. of visits and unique users The number of users, previously called unique visitors, has grown from 1,759 in 2011 to 3,381 in 2012 to 3,410 in 2013 and to 4,605 in 2014. This is an increase of 35% over the last year but below the average of 13,530 and median of 8,960 of all country networks.

1.6 Appreciation For the third consecutive year AgriProFocus organised a global appreciation survey via an internet survey to all people in our network (registered online and all mailing lists). In total about 10% or 1625 people responded; among which 87 from Zambia. This is 5,3% of the total response and 16,7% of the 519 Zambian online members. It is a good response compared to the 23 Zambian respondents in 2013.

0

50

100

150

200

250

News Forum Events

Online activities

2011

2012

2013

2014

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

News Forum Events

Online activities per 100 professionals

2011

2012

2013

2014


The average score for services is 3.47 in Zambia. This is good on a scale from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). It is higher than the 3.21 score for the whole network and it is better than the 2,90 score for Zambia in 2013.

The average score for support by the coordination team is 3.51 for AgriProFocus Zambia. There is

no info on this question from 2013. But it is again higher than the average score for 13 countries which is 3,06 on a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (good).

The average score for business to business events and fairs is 3.56 in 2014, this is up from 2.56 in

2013 and higher than the aveerage of the network which stands at 3.31.

The response on our innovations is at 3.33 up from 2.81 in 2013 which is also higher that the average for the whole network which stands at 3.16.

The response on survey questions on insights, lessons, knowledge, contacts, business

opportunities plus 24 other comments give a wealth of information for further improving network relevance to its members.

Score from 1 (poor) to 4 (good) 2014 2013

Network day / Business 2 Business meeting 3.48

Finance Fair or Agri-business marketplace 3.56 2.56

Knowledge event / Expert meeting / Policy debate 3.31 2.90

Capacity building / training / coaching 3.50

Innovation community / Thematic or Sub-sector group

3.33 2.81

Online platform information exchange 3.53 3.10

Direct services by the coordination team (Q&A) 3.41

Steering committee / coordination meeting 3.43

In overall, you can see that the appreciation of our services have increased since 2013. Members appreciate the finance fairs and the online platform exchange the most. The knowledge events and innovation communities score lowest but still above average in comparison to the whole network. Still, members feel that they mostly benefit from knowledge, information and collaboration through the network, as shown in the table below.

By participating in AgriProFocus activities I / my organisation directly benefitted by

Item Score

Getting updated with vital new information 3.68

Becoming more knowledgeable 3.52

Finding potential business partners 3.06

Having more exposure for our work / business 3.08

Voicing my / our opinion 3.24

Working / learning with others around a shared goal 3.27


2. Market uptake This chapter analyses how the network activities in chapter 1 lead to impact for our members: improved support systems, better business deals, better partnerships and/or policy improvements. The story is based on event reports and surveys, the results survey as well as from follow-up interviews with visitors and exhibitors at the finance fair. To put things in perspective, it is repeated here that the online result survey had a response of 87, which compares to 16.7% of the 519 Zambian online members. Only one event survey was held, during the finance fair 135 responses were collected which is 17.8 % of our 757 participants in live events.

2.1 Improved support systems

The key annual survey questions are about how the network activities lead to changes within member organisations and in their services. The response is given in below tables. On the first, 19 respondents indicated “improved staff skills” as a result of the network’s activities. On the second, 21 members indicated that they were able to improve the quality of their services and products. The variety in responses show that our members have multiple reasons to attend network activities.

7. After participating in AgriProFocus activities in what regard were you able to improve your internal organisation?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

We have changed our strategy 22.2% 14

We have improved our business plan 20.6% 13

We improved our marketing 19.0% 12

We have adapted our governance/organisational setup 12.7% 8

We have improved staff skills 30.2% 19

We pay more attention to gender equity 23.8% 15

We have not experienced any benefits 7.9% 5

Not applicable 33.3% 21

8. After participating in these AgriProFocus activities, in what regard were you able to improve your services / products?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

We improved the quality of our services / product 33.3% 21

We increased the quantity of our services / production 20.6% 13

We introduced a new service / product on the market 4.8% 3

We certified our products / services 1.6% 1

We adapted our products / service to reflect gender equity

11.1% 7

We have not changed anything in our products / services 20.6% 13

Not applicable 31.7% 20


2.2 Farm - Firm deals The survey during the Agri-Business Finance Fair indicates 31 business deals. Most deals were made between farmer organisations and financial institutions. For most of these deals, members see AgriProFocus playing a role as information service provider (39%), facilitator of events (27%) and direct one-on-one matchmaking. According to this event survey the majority of farmers made 1-5 deals during the event with 45% closing a loan or credit facility. 83% of the deals were made with local players and 17% with international members. Most visitors were unable to estimate the value of the deal they made (36%). The deals reported did not exceed 1000-5000 USD (27%). Data from the annual survey show that 14 farmer organisations report deals, of which 3 deals were with NGOs. AgriProFocus played the most dominant role in providing links through its events to allow firm-farm deals to be made.

In case these deals involve delivery of financial services, what product does it apply to?

Opening a bank account 1

Opening a savings account 8

Loan / credit 18

Insurance 8

Total 35

Can you give us an estimate of the value of business deals you made today?

No 11

Below 100 dollars 9

100 - 1.000 dollars 7

1.000 and 5.000 dollars 3

5.000 and 10.000 dollars 1

More than 10.000 0

Total 31

2.3 Farm – Financial institution deals According to the annual survey, only one deal was made between the farm and a bank. In contrast, the financial fair survey shows that most banks made 1-5 deals during the event. This refers mostly to the opening of new bank accounts with farmer clients. As indicated in the table above, 35 deals were made at the Agri-Business Finance Fair between farm-financial institutions, with most deals focused on loan and credit. The majority of these deals were valued at under 100 USD. From the financial fair survey, most visitors were unable to estimate the value of the deal they made (36%). The deals did not exceed 1000-5000 USD (27%).

2.4 Partnerships and investments AgriProFocus Zambia facilitated new partnerships which have been valued between USD 142,500 - 285,000. The range is given as partnership deals may be reported by both actors. 59% of the members indicated that they had developed at least one new partnership with the highest amount of partnerships developed with farmer organisations (29%). These deals mainly included trading agreements (50%)


agricultural inputs (33%) and advisory services (17%). Most partnerships have been valued between 10.000-50.000 euros with between 50-500 households benefitting from these services.

Total value of the partnerships in USD?

Average in US$ Response Count

Value

5,000.00 2 10,000.00

25,000.00 1 25,000.00

75,000.00 0 0.00

250,000.00 1 250,000.00

750,000.00 0 0.00

1,000,000.00 0 0.00

0.00 3 0.00

Total max 7 285,000.00

Total min 142,500.00

2.5 Policy improvements AgriProFocus Zambia in 2014 did not directly address policy issues. However, the different events and platforms had indirect effects which resulted in policy improvements. 30% of the members that responded to the survey indicated they acknowledged an improved bargaining position of producer organisations (30%) and more attention to gender equality and youth inclusiveness (25%).


3. Management

This year the Country Network Coordination added a Country Network Assistant (1 FTE) for the Country Coordinator (0,5 FTE) to support the development of the network outreach through its online platform and other marketing activities. The Zambia network has focused on developing commitments and ownership of the members this year thought the innovation communities. It has been decided that a advisory committee will be identified on the basis of members commitment and ownership in 2015.


4. Financial management The network expected income from Netherlands members (Agriterra, Cordaid, PUM, SNV, WUR, Incluvest) which were double than expected. Also, the network has also been very successful in mobilizing Zambia contributions: we are grateful to DAZ, MUSIKA, ACF, ZNFU, Cargill, NWK, IDE, GIZ, Alliance Ginneries, Bank of Zambia/FSDP, FINCA, African Grey Insurance, Amiran amongst others for their contributions. The positive result in income lead to a much higher matching contribution from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Total expenditure was also higher due to more contributions from members than expected, especially on the business & partnerschips, where AgriProFocus and members pooled resources to undertake 4 studies. Also on innovation communities expenditure was higher. It is for this reason, the balance at the end of 2014 is negative, however the balance brought forward is still € 70,241.

Zambia budget Budgeted 2014 Realisation 2014

A. Dutch members 53,740 102,475

C. Zambia members and partners 0 32,679

D. DGIS matching fund 53,740 125,000

E. Public partners 35,000 32,241

F. Other income 5,000 3,932

G. Total Revenue 147,480 296,326

H. Coordination 30,580 19,401

I. Network Development 30,193 19,761

J. Business & Partnership brokering 68,406 150,918

K. Innovation communities 75,483 113,769

L. Platform for debate and learning 25,193 6,467

M. Total Cost 229,855 310,317

N. Result 2014 82,375 -13,991

O. Opening balance 01-01-2014 84,233 84,233

P. Balance 31-12-2014 1,858 70,241


5. Analysis and conclusions

Relevance In 2014 the Zambia network aimed to redesign itself as a service oriented network focusing on improved services by its members towards Business Brokering and Access to Finance which are the two key priorities of the membership. Through extensive marketing and networking, the network has been recognised as player to improve access to finance through its Agri-Business Finance Fair and investment studies. Also the presence of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock at the fair recognised the network and the fair as “a first of its kind in Zambia” showing the continued relevance of AgriProFocus.

There is a high demand for brokering services. It is therefore important to improve the business brokering services with focus on identifying potential links, identification of organisations that can provide coaching support and to monitor business deals made. Using this strategy, the Zambia network will be able to increase its number of business linkages and deals. The network has also been recognized as a source of agricultural information especially among international partners. The aim for 2015 is to also focus on bringing more local stakeholders to use the online platform as a source of knowledge on farmer entrepreneurship.

Efficiency The network has been able to establish relationships with the Dutch consulate, PUM, WUR, SNV, HIVOS for joint activities and resource mobilisation as well as with local members such as DAZ, MUSIKA, ACF, ZNFU, Cargill, NWK, IDE, GIZ, Alliance Ginneries, Bank of Zambia, FINCA, African Grey Insurance. The network has used its resources in the most optimal way from January 2014 onwards. Delays in implementation have been due to the longer time required to develop partnerships than anticipated, which have resulted in delayed expenditures. Still, the network stayed on track to implement planned activities and accomodated additional demands from members.

Effectiveness The network has reached most of the targets by end of 2014. However, some targets have not been met due to limited interest of the members, and other unforeseen factors. Therefore some activities and expenditures were reallocated at the mid year point to focus on activities where members are committed. It also became also clear that the coordination team made up of 1,5 FTE is not sufficient to implement all activities and has also been a main cause of some delays.

Recommendations The network has been able to maintain its focus on Business Brokering and Access to Finance. It is important that the country network continues to build on establishing partnerships to ensure that the innovation communities that have been created work effectively. This means that it will be important to formalize agreements with each innovation community for a longer term rather than one-off activity plans.

A lot of focus has been on generating market intelligence this year, this should continue in other sectors like horticulture and poultry, and will be used in B2B events and validation events to provide more exposure and opportunities for business brokering.

Clear services have been established such as B2B events through the finance fair, gender coaching track, market intelligence generation services. It has been possible to generate income from these activities for the sustainability of the network. Still it needs to be explored how to effectively generate more finances through its services at a strategic level not just ad-hoc.


The coordination team has expertise in network development, partnership building and networking. However, it is clear there is a weakness in expertise on business brokering due to the difficulty of establishing one-on-one business linkages between members especially financial insitutions. It would therefore be important to look for expertise that can assist the coordination in providing more effective business brokering services. In addition, this person would require to monitor the deals made more closely, so that more accurate information is collected on the market uptake that is not captured at the finance fair. From this year’s experience, it is clear that coordination needs to be more effective. It is important that more coordination time is dedicated to building partnerhips and new innovation communities. This is possible when additional/temporary support staff is hired to attend to some activities on event management, M&E and business brokering.


Contact AgriProFocus Zambia Claire van der Kleij Postal Address P.O. Box 31771 Visiting address 7 Nkanchibaya Road, Rhodes Park, Lusaka, Zambia Website: www.agriprofocus.com/zambia

AgriProFocus Zambia Annual Report 2015

http://www.agriprofocus.com/zambia

AgriProFocus Zambia

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