The Importance and Role of Effective Farmer Cooperatives -The CAMAP Experience A presentation at a workshop on Integrated system for an Effective Cassava production in Africa. IITA, Ibadan. 27-28 October, 2016 Abu Umaru Joseph

Outline Introduction CAMAP Model The experiences in CAMAP Way forward

Introduction A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. By and large, cooperatives (except a few large ones) are “local institutions”, addressing “local needs”, employing “local talent”, and led by “local leaders”

CAMAP Model and Experience Identification of farmer groups- In line with selection criteria Agreements signed- AATF and cooperative groups Processor and cooperative groups Transport company, AATF and farmer groups Partnership with governments and Donor agencies or projects to support cooperatives

CAMAP Model and Experience The farmer cluster ideology – at least 50 ha per cluster with minimum of 20 ha continuous land make mechanisation accessible and tenable In Osun and Kwara, CAMAP is working with FADAMA II where farmers are organised into groups and these farmers already have access to complimentary training in other crop value chains In Ogun, CAMAP is working with organised farmer groups, IFAD VCPD, Mokk Investment and Fortis Micro Finance Bank is now financing mechanisation.

CAMAP Model and Experience S/ N STATE CLUSTER PARTNERS TOTA L (Ha) PLOUGHED HARROWE D PLANTED SPRAYE D PAYMENT (%) 1 OGUN Otete (Ayetoro) IFAD 30   25 2 Apata 50 45 32 20 3 Isa Ope 28 14 5 Ikenne (CRV) State Govt 56 21 6 Alapako 39 9 Oke Odan MOKK INV. 126 124 17 8 10 OSUN Iwo KABIYESI 27 12 70 11 Chief Solomon Oyerinde

CAMAP Model and Experience Farmers joining CAMAP are selected by committee members based on a clear selection criteria - they know who is serious, who can default – group accountability Competition within the organised farmers groups promotes good farming practices as farmers compare performance of the crops across members Strong farmer groups remain a very viable option for a sustainable adoption of agriculture technologies and opportunities by African farmers.

CAMAP – Our takeaways Agriculture remains the most strategic engine for the economic growth in Nigeria Working with farmer groups is the most effective way to influence change of attitude in farming – mechanisation Cooperatives have inherent advantages in tackling the problems of poverty alleviation, food security and employment generation. Organised groups have immense potential to deliver goods and services in areas where both the public and private sector have failed There is need to register these organised groups into cooperatives to ensure that they can access credit and they gain recognition

The Challenges of Effective Farmer Cooperatives Inadequate financing Mismanagement of resources by the management committee (board of directors) Unqualified/inexperienced management committee Uncommitted membership Lack of clear policy guideline on cooperatives Government attitudes towards cooperatives development Lack of infrastructural facilities like regular and stable electricity, accessible roads, pipe-borne water etc

Need to register the farmers groups into recognized cooperatives Way Forward Capacity building in management of shared resources (equipment, inputs), leadership and farming as a business is needed Technical expertise on the right cooperative sizes, right crop value chains and economical land sizes for mechanisation Need to register the farmers groups into recognized cooperatives

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