Joint action Joint learning The role of network Agri-ProFocus Uganda Silver Springs Hotel, Kampala October 5, 2012 Marieke van Schie, Agri-ProFocus Uganda Coordinator Advisor Agriculture SNV Uganda

Partnerships “In a contract, I try to get as much as possible and to remain as unchanged as possible. In any partnership, I throw in my lot today without knowing where I will be tomorrow.” - Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy

Agri-ProFocus network (Agri-Hub) in Uganda  Originally Dutch network started in 2009 in Uganda (Dutch members with Ugandan partners).  Today professional membership has grown from 78 end of 2009 to members  Representing over 500 organisations including Producer Organisations, Companies, BDS Providers, NGO’s, Public Sector, Education/Knowledge Institutions, Consultancies and Donor Agencies  Cooperation with DGIS and EKN on food security agenda

Agri-Hub mission and focus Agri-Hub’s mission To bring together the different actors in the agricultural sector to promote a joint agenda on farmer entrepreneurship and food security, in order to boost the sector Focus Six thematic areas: Organized farmers for business; Access to financial services; Gender in value chains; Market access/ information; Sustainable food production/ food security; Policy Engagement

Agri-ProFocus theory of change

Agri-ProFocus Uganda  Network development and coordination –Establish a culture and effective local coordination –Build a sustainable multi-stakeholder network  Business brokering –Working towards stronger private sector involvement –Matching Dutch and Ugandan investors  Innovation communities –Joint thematic action and learning –Practical cross country learning  Platform for debate and learning –Information sharing –Policy engagement –Link up members knowledge initiatives / programmes for joint resource mobilisation and joint events

Some of this year’s results  Regional financial market places (Mbale, Lira) (farmers meet banks)  Regional market information events for farmers  3 rd national market information symposium  Standardisation process / coaltion of market information  Action research and events around business models for organised farmers, and Farm Firm Relations assessment  Food security profiling of stakeholders / actors in Northern Uganda, joint learning agenda  Gender in value chain coaching trajectory  Policy dialogue on agriculture policy, policy brief, agriculture budget  Online business and services market place ...

Agri-ProFocus and agriculture skill development Upfront 1:  Agri-ProFocus network provides an independent platform to discuss and act among interested actors in the sector  Under the network already many actors working on skills development  Dutch partnership includes several education actors (AERES, Van Hall larenstein, HAS Den Bosch)

Upfront 2:  Youth in Agriculture already key issue in the network: -Online and face to face discussions -ICCO AVET programme with EKN peer reviewed -Key issue in Agri-ProFocus global strategy 2013 – HIVOS-IIED research  Broad perspective needed next to education -lack of land, intergenerational skills transfer, access to credit, labour market issues  Opportunities -Improve image of agriculture as a viable business -Invest in young entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector (advanced value addition) -Build on ICT revolution -Knowledge agenda; Action research on methodologies -Youth involvement in agriculture Agri-ProFocus and agriculture skill development

Offer Can we build a joint action and learning agenda under the Agri-ProFocus network?

For more information: Thank you!