WFP to offer farmers better prices #kenya

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) marked
the International Day of Co-operatives, and commited to
use its purchasing power to sustainably increase better
livelihood for small-holder farmers.
The function was held in Rukomo Sector, Eastern Province's
Nyagatare District on Wednesday.
The theme of the Day was 'Co-operative enterprises achieve
sustainable development for all'.
WFP supports over 52,000 smallholder farmers organised in
cooperatives in Rwanda.
According to Jan Delbaere, WFP Deputy Country Director,
they provide farmers with incentives to invest in food
production by providing storage for their products and
ensure sustainability.
"Through the local purchases, WFP in collaboration with the
government and other partners, including FAO and IFAD,
built the capacity of small-holder farmers' cooperatives in
post-harvest handling and storage, marketing, financial
management and institutional strengthening," he said.
He added that WFP creates linkages to financial institutions
and other markets, including local traders and the
Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, which uses
WFP local purchase approach to buy for the National
Strategic Grain Reserve.
"In 2013, WFP purchased around 16,200mt of combined
food commodities locally worth around US$4 million. About
half of these purchases were procured directly from the
small holder farmers, either by WFP or by the government
for the National Strategic Grain reserves," the official said.
The proceeds helped the farmers pay school fees and
medical insurance for their children and families.
Through local purchases, WFP emphasizes on rural women
empowerment by giving them access to markets, credits
and business opportunities.
Patricia Murekatete, 46-year-old and a mother of four
children who is a member of KOTEBARU farmers'
cooperative in Rukomo sector, said that her cooperative
improved her livelihood.
Murekatete, who was trained in post-harvest handling and
storage, has made a small fortune by selling her produce to
WFP and other buyers.
"I lived in hell with constant conflicts with my husband due
to the poverty we lived in... It was not until I joined the
cooperative in 2012 that my life changed," she said.
"I was able to earn around US$1000 last year, for instance.
I pay school fees and health insurance for my four children.
This has helped me to sustain domestic food security, as
well as earn enough money to live a meaningful life," she
said.