Partners
Partnering for Success
The Clinton Development Initiative (CDI) partners with farmers, governments, the private sector, and local NGOs to provide resources and credible technical support. To partner with CDI, please send us an email at [email protected]
Stored soybeans at Nabulenje Cooperative's warehouse to be sold to Africa Improved Foods. Photo by Dyna Mpasuka. (2019)
MARKETS PARTNER, AIF
Since 2017, Africa Improved Foods (AIF) has sourced approximately six million pounds of high-quality soybeans from farmers in Malawi. The soybeans are processed into a nutritious food that is purchased by the World Food Programme and distributed to malnourished women and children. CDI’s farmers capacity to produce a high-quality product in large quantities supports AIF’s ability to purchase from smallholder farmers while sustaining and growing the local economy.
Nabulenje Cooperative members dance outside of their warehouse to celebrate the kickoff of the 2019-2020 agricultural season. Photo by Katy Rustrick.
NABULENJE FARMER MARKETING COOPERATIVE
The Nabulenje Farmer Marketing Cooperative (FMC) is one of 15 groups that CDI has helped to form in Malawi. Group formation, especially legally recognized registration, is an essential part of CDI’s work. Formalized groups can better access markets, finance, and other services because of their legal recognition as well as economies of scale.
Clinton Development Initiative staff meet after a TOSCI training in Iringa, Tanzania where farmer leaders received their certifications allowing them to multiple Quality Declared Seed, which will increase access and availability of high-quality affordable seed for farming communities.
TECHNICAL PARTNER, TOSCI
The Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) partners with CDI in Tanzania to train and certify hub farmers on the multiplication of Quality Declared Seeds. Once the hub farmers are certified by TOSCI, they are then able to bring new economic opportunities to their communities through the production of Quality Declared Seeds as a business. Under these conditions, accessing improved seeds can lead to higher yields, better quality crops, and increased incomes for farming communities.
Cooperative leaders display the certificates they received on behalf of their cooperatives from the Ministry of Trade certifying that they are now legally registered in Malawi. Standard Bank supports farmers by training cooperatives on opening and managing bank accounts, a requirement of being legally registered.
FINANCE PARTNER, STANDARD BANK
Standard Bank partners with CDI in Malawi to support financial literacy training and financial inclusion of farming communities. Standard Bank trains cooperatives and extends purchasing loans to cooperatives growing soybean with CDI and selling into structured markets.