| ANNUAL PUBLIC REPORT 2005 |
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Currently, Moldovan agriculture illustrates an increase of the production sector and continuous growth for some economic indicators over the last years. These positive trends are mostly due to the fact that Moldovan farmers allocate more investments in agriculture, implement modern production technologies and comply with the business and marketing principles. The experience of the National AGROinform Federation points out the need to assist these developments on two sides: to support the farmers’ flexibility and openness in meeting the actual qualitative changes; to respond with relevant tools to the new needs of small and medium farmers, as well as to link the Moldovan farmers’ community to the international agricultural developments. The activity preformed by the National AGROinform Federation during the 2004 was highlighted by some significant results obtained in terms of institutional development of the member organizations and enlargement of AGROinform network, establishment of the AGROinform Training Department, launch of the Participatory Extension Planning method, set-up of the on-line Agricultural Marketing Information System www.agravista.md etc. Consequently, by the end of 2004 AGROinform network expanded up to 29 regional organizations with independent legal status that unite more than one thousand farmer-members. The farmers have active role in the development of AGROinform organizations by deciding on the strategic priorities and promoting their interests. The achievements obtained by AGROinform network in the 2004 create a strong basis for the future developments in order to provide a real support to farmers and rural entrepreneurs. A. Bondari Having in mind the trends on the farmers’ assistance market over the last years, the activity of the National AGROinform Federation went considerably forward, by back-staging the publishing of brochures and providing only technical information. Therefore, AGROinform’s present priorities are to provide complex assistance based on economic, financial and marketing aspects in the strategic planning of production activities and in allocating investments for increasing profits and diminishing natural risks, together with the implementation of advanced technologies. These priorities are in accordance with the current needs of the farmers which strive to develop profitable businesses in agriculture. With the contribution of international experts, AGROinform Federation is currently one of the few organizations in Moldova to apply various extension methods involving the participatory approach both in the work towards beneficiaries and in the activity of the network. During the 2004, the cooperation with other non-government organizations was an essential element in AGROinform activity. A valuable experience, in this sense, was gained during the implementation of the partnership Program “Alliance for the Marketing of Agricultural Products” together with the CONTACT Centre, Central Agro-Marketing Information Bureau, Microfinance Alliance, Agency ACAI, Association of Independent Press etc. A new area of interest for the National AGROinform Federation are the lobby and advocacy activities highly demanded and supported by the farmer-members. AGROinform promotes these activities through and as member of the Coalition for Rural Economic Development, uniting 41 non-government organizations from Moldova. One can certainly say that the results achieved by AGROinform Federation in the 2004 are greatly due to the cooperation and support from the partner organizations, especially the Dutch organization for development cooperation ICCO, NOVIB and Oxfam International, Swedish Cooperative Centre, European Commission. We express the hope that this cooperation will be upheld and even strengthened in the future for the sake of achieving in common the stated results and for the prosperous development of Moldovan agriculture and the national economy as a whole. Respectfully, Executive Director Constantin IVANSCHI, Chairman of the Board
Vision The aim of the National AGROinform Federation is to create a favourable legal framework, to increase the capacities of agricultural entrepreneurs and to ensure their better positioning on external markets. Mission National AGROinform Federation is a network of regional NGOs working for the economic development of rural communities by providing complex assistance in business development, marketing, implementation of advanced technologies. AGROinform network For the time being, National AGROinform Federation is of the broadest and most viable network from Moldova that offers assistance to private agricultural producers. In the 2004, AGROinform network united 29 non-government organizations spread throughout all regions of Moldova. The problems and needs of the farmer-members are given absolute priority in the strategies of AGROinform organizations. To ensure a better representation of farmers’ interests in the organization and in relation with other structures, the farmers are involved in the activity of regional organizations’ Board. In such a way, farmers have the opportunity to determine the priority directions in the activity of regional organizations in compliance with their current needs. The institutional development of member organizations is the key to the success of AGROinform network; it stimulates the organizations’ autonomous development, promotes the role of farmer-members and enhances their organizational capacities. Results in figures Member organizations - 29 Farmer-members - 958 Board members – 195 Network staff - 144
Methods and approach National AGROinform Federation has the role of being pioneer in promoting extension services for Moldova agriculture by facilitating knowledge and information management. In the beginning of 2004, AGROinform network launched an innovative approach for Moldova - the Participatory Extension planning /PEP/, a method to provide direct assistance to farmers. Within such an approach, the farmers identify in common the problems hindering the development of agricultural businesses and seek necessary solutions by performing concrete activities. In the same time, AGROinform started-up the development of a database regarding the profile and performance of beneficiaries that will allow the systematization and rapid processing of data towards a more efficient operation of farmers. With AGROinform support, the farmers also have the possibility to assimilate the advanced agricultural experience by taking part in study tours, including abroad and to exchange experience by organizing experimental and demonstration plots. These methods are followed both with regard to commercial-oriented farmers and to those which only initiate their agribusiness. Results in figures PEP groups - 76 Direct beneficiaries - 876 Farm analysis - 743 Additional income earned by farmers - 8 million Lei
Agricultural marketing The on-line agricultural marketing information database www.AGRAVISTA.md, launched in 2005 within the AGROinform-managed Marketing Information System is one of most outstanding achievements of the Federation. The usefulness of AGRAVISTA was confirmed by being awarded as the best web-site of 2004 for the economic development section. AGRAVISTA represents a fast instrument in facilitating the trade in agricultural products and is a comprehensive database with more than 3000 companies, mainly form Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, with information on the situation from local and regional markets, studies and marketing analyses. Due to this instrument and to persistent training of regional marketing advisors, in only five months of operation AGRAVISTA succeeded to mediate sales of agricultural products in value more than 38 million Lei. Results in figures Businesses launched and developed - 67 Business plans made - 380 Business plans’ value – 11 million Lei Value of business plans financed – 7,8 million Lei Credits for cooperation and marketing within ASPA program – 1,9 million Lei
Cooperation The development of farmers’ cooperation is one of basic activity stressed by AGROinform in the complex assistance scheme provided within ASPA program. The assistance in the cooperation processes is aimed to launch sustainable cooperatives based on new attitudes, mutual trust, taking of individual responsibility in a common business, cultivating the ownership feeling of cooperative members. Most farmers’ groups supported by AGROinform are focused on the production of high value products, such as: fruits, table grapes, vegetables, honey, sheep cheese etc. The groups are provided assistance depending on the interests of farmers: orientation to long-term cooperation, investments in business development or selling together agricultural products. Results in figures Investment groups – 25 Amount of investments - 447 thousand LeiSales groups - 15 Sales volumes - 3, 4 million Lei Distribution of groups in function of strategic sectors of agriculture: Table grapes – 18% Fresh fruits (apples, peaches, plums) – 42 % Legume – 12 %
Representation of interests Representation of farmers’ interests is a relatively new activity for the National AGROinform Federation, but has become a priority one already. In order to start and keep an open dialogue with the public authorities in the view of promoting farmers and entrepreneurs’ interests, AGROinform takes active part in the activities performed within the Coalition for Rural Economic Development that brings together 40 non-government organizations. Next to this, AGROinform uses more often the public tribune to communicate the attitude and position of the private agricultural sector vis-à-vis the legal framework, problems faced by farmers and general situation in agriculture. To identify the drawbacks in the legal framework and to promptly formulate proposals of laws improvement, AGROinform launched in 2004 a permanent legislation monitoring. This information is accessible to all farmers and entrepreneurs immediately influenced by the volatility of legal framework. It is relevant to mention here the participation of the National AGROinform Federation in the discussions held within the Participation Council for Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper /PRPS/ as well as in other activities connected to PRSP development. Priorities To eliminate the export constraints To improve the agricultural policies
Capacity Building The capacity building of AGROinform network is the main guarantor in providing professional assistance. In this context, the offering of training sessions is the basic instrument used by AGROinform. The capacity building is supported by outside trainers, research institutes, international consultants which provide assistance to the network and also to beneficiaries. As additional capacity building tools, AGROinform organizes study tours, and provides individual assistance in agribusiness development.At the same time, in order to stimulate the continuous learning process, National AGROinform Federation has created a Training Department that is supported by an EC/TACIS program. The Training Department has the goal to professionally train the network staff, in such a way that it provides qualified assistance to beneficiaries. The Training Department consists of a group of trainers on: economic and marketing aspects, cooperation, communication and public relations, financial issues, management, participatory planning etc. that are ready to offer training courses upon request. The trainers use practical adult learning techniques with main focus on participatory method. Currently, the trainers’ team develop modules for the subject matter training. Although the priority of AGROinform Training Department is to strengthen the network capacities, it is open to offer capacity building courses for other organizations outside AGROinform network. Training sessions provided – 1081 Participants to the training – 14122 Activities of AGROinform Training Department: Training provided – 22 Participants to the training – 455 Modules developed - 5 AGROinform Partners AGROinform is an organization open to cooperation with local and external organizations and is one of the few structures to implement partnership. Among AGROinform partners, the following can be mentioned: CONTACT Centre CAMIB NGO ACAI Independent Press Association National Farmers Federation Independent Journalism Centre AGROinform is grateful to financing organizations for being given the opportunity to implement a range of programs for the development of Moldovan agricultural sector: Netherlands Organization for Development Cooperation NOVIB Netherlands Organization for Development Cooperation ICCO Swedish Cooperative Centre in co-financing with SIDA TACIS Programme SOROS Foundation Moldova |
