. Suriname in Action Kwatta Cooperative Farm A farmers collaborative demonstration farm

. Suriname in Action DESCRIPTION Establish a 12 hectare demonstration fruit and vegetable farm by a collaboration of farmers in the Wanica/Saramacca District. The main objectives are to show best practices in agriculture and to demonstrate how cooperation between Suriname farmers is possible. Stimulating and encouraging developments in the agricultural sector. Developing the necessary capacity and system to effectively and timely deliver agricultural services to farmers. Adapted to the needs of the members and related farmers. Improvement and the establishment of effective communication within the farmers. Farmers working together to produce quality products

. Suriname in Action STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE Suriname needs to develop better supply chains in the agricultural sector. Better supply chains will lead to: increase of production and quality diversification of products development of processing increase of capacity income generation increase of export and trade overall economic development. Kwatta Cooperative Farm will have a “demonstration” effect on small farmers as well as the agriculture service development.

. Suriname in Action MARKETS Expansion of existing vegetable exports to : EU Local markets Export to CARICOM members states Current exports of Vegetable = 2,700 tons Production & export of vegetables

. Suriname in Action ACTIONS TO CARRY OUT STEP-BY-STEP PLAN ActivityResponsibleDate Development of concept of “demonstration farm” Bajnath Oct 2009 Organized committed farmers teamBajnath Mar Requested/obtained land (12ha.) from GoS Chitoe April 2010 Meeting with exporter to determine crops and production Bajnath / Debie Sept Mobilized own financing for land preparation (SRD 200K) Bholai Sept Land preparation & irrigation infrastructure Baidjoe Oct Making planting materialsSoekhlal Nov Initial pilot planting (pumpkins, papaya, okra) Baidjoe Dec 2011 Crop protection activitiesBaidjoe Jan -May 2012

. Suriname in Action ACTIONS TO CARRY OUT STEP-BY-STEP PLAN ActivityResponsibleDate Harvest pilot cropBajnath May 2012 SellingChitoe May 2012 Initial preparation for “demo” cropSoekhlal Jun 2012 Making of planting materialBaidjoe May 2012 Planting “demo” cropBaidjoe Jun 2012 Infrastructure for the facilitiesBajnath Feb 2013 Construction of a packing and storage facilities Bholai April 2013 Workers facilitiesChitoe April 2013 Agricultural machineriesDebie April 2013 Initiation of Field Visit to Demo Farm Bajnath Mar. 2013

. Suriname in Action Resources Needed RESOURCE (financial and other e.g., facilities, services, etc.) Estimated Cost (U$) Possible Sources Leveling10,000.00Cooperatie Construction of greenhouse35,000.00Cooperatie Drainage system10,000.00Cooperatie Irrigation system8,500.00Cooperatie Construction of a packing and storage facilities 55,000.00Loan Machines35,000.00Loan Workers facilities55,000.00Loan Transport30,000.00Loan Infrastructure for facilities10,000.00Loan Total investments Own funds U$D248,500 U$D63,500

. Suriname in Action PRODUCTS/ RESULTS  SBC with Cooperatie Kwatta (sign MoU) June 2012  Start selling production July 2012  Initial Demonstration Field Visits March 2013

. Suriname in Action LEADERSHIP  INFLUENCE LEADER(s)  D. Bajnath ( Chairman Cooperatie Kwatta )  TECHNICAL LEADER(s)  R. Debie  INTIATIVE ACTION TEAM  Bholai/Chitoe/Baidjoe/Soekhlal  Panchoe/Joeloemsingh/Sewpersadsingh  Member farmers  Technical experts (MAAHF)