IFDC Annual Report 2014 | Page 30

Agro-Input to Production Expansion 2014-2017 Objective – The Agro-Input to Production Expansion (APEx) project aims to support private sector investments in the input sector (estimated at more than $5 billion over the next five years) as the Nigeria Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme transitions from government-dominated supply of agricultural inputs to private sector supply systems. APEx will increase private sector input suppliers’ capacity to provide high-quality inputs at competitive prices to farmers. The APEx strategic objectives are in line with the USAID Nigeria intervention priorities under the sectors Agriculture and Food Security as well as Economic Growth and Trade. Related Intervention Areas – Improve Efficiency of Input Markets Donor – USAID Location – Nigeria Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme 2013-2017 Objective – The Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme (CORIP) is providing support services to cocoa farmers in Ghana through improvements in the cocoa production system and training. Through a public private partnership between producers, traders, government researchers, NGOs and farmers, the project increases cocoa product sustainability by improving farmers’ access to better planting material, quality fertilizers and safe pesticides. The main strategy for implementing CORIP is through the establishment and operation of cocoa Rural Service Centers across the cocoa belt of Ghana. The project will design models for supporting cocoa farmer groups and individual cocoa farmers throughout the major cocoa regions of Ghana. Related Intervention Areas – Improve Nutrient Use Practices for Better Economic and Environmental Outcomes; Improve Efficiency of Input Markets; Improve Management Capability and Profitability of Farm Enterprises Collaborators – Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD/CRIG), the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and Solidaridad West Africa (SWA) Donor – Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Location – Ghana Communal Approach to Agricultural Market Access in Benin 2013-2017 Objective – The Communal Approach to Agricultural Market Access in Benin (ACMA-Benin) project aims to improve the livelihoods of 70,000 smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs through the development of 100 agricultural business clusters in southern Benin. The effort will connect the groups to agricultural market opportunities, including markets in neighboring Nigeria. The program focus is to improve the purchasing power of economic agents directly involved in commercial transactions, increase business between domestic and foreign (Nigerian) markets and build sustainable supply and demand of quality products, including commodities such as maize, cassava, palm oil and peppers. Related Intervention Areas – Improve Management Capability and Profitability of Farm Enterprises; Strengthen and Support Robust Output Markets Implementing Partners – Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) of the Netherlands, Care International BeninTogo, Sahel Capital and Partners Ltd. of Nigeria and Benin Consulting Group International Donor – Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin L