Improving access to markets for small-scale farmers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt
“When it comes to agriculture in Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are some similarities in the way in which this area was regulated in each country and in the way of growing certain crops. However, a lot of original and fascinating things we have seen that can be applied in our cooperative work in Egypt. First of all, learning from experiences of BiH cooperatives, we shall try to have our products sorted and graded before packing for further sale, knowing that this will bring us a better market price. Further on, we will continue developing our own crops products that we grow and purchase. By doing so we hope to increases the income and sustainability of cooperatives. We will also draw up and submit a proposal to our Egyptian authorities to amend certain law amendments for our farmers associations to have the right to establish their own businesses and make a profit “, said Ahmed Farghaly, cooperative representative from Egypt.
Mr Farghaly was a member of the team from CEOS development organisation (Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services), which, together with the beneficiaries of agricultural associations from Egypt, arrived for a study visit to OXFAM in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This study visit was a part of the project “Improving access to market for small-scale agricultural producers (farmers) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt”, financed by IFAD (International Fund for Agriculture Development – International Fund for Agricultural Development) and implemented by Oxfam, along with partners in BiH and Egypt.
The project aims to improve livelihoods of poor rural communities in BiH and Egypt by improving smallholders’ profitable participation in efficient value chains and by enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to markets for targeted products.
During the study visit, the guests from Egypt had the opportunity to meet with partners and beneficiaries in BiH, to exchange knowledge and experiences, and to learn about the state of agriculture, its positive results, as well as the problems that farmers in BiH face.
Guests from Egypt also visit some of the social enterprises in BiH where they were introduced with the concept of their functioning, ensuring profitability, in addition to fulfilling social objectives (such as poverty reduction). They have also become familiar with the role and contribution of development organisations in the implementation of development projects.
