Sustainability

Sustainability of the 4P model will largely depend on the technical, financial and institutional capacity of producer groups/ organisations involved in implementing the programme; the commitment of the private sector partners and participating financial institutions to sustain the system; and the policy environment for equitable and sustainable smallholder-sourced agribusiness development. The attention to and provision of capacity building and institutional strengthening support across the components, matched by the support for policy dialogue, are the main approaches to instill a foundation for sustainability of the programme interventions.

At the level of producer/ farmers and their organizations, these participating organisations will be assisted and supported to increase their member services delivery capacity and their ability to manage and operate as business or entrepreneurial ventures starting from the first year. A sustainability ‘action plan’ will be introduced as part of the 4P model, jointly elaborated by the 4P partners (producers/ producer organizations and companies) to establish a road map for the duration and continuation of the partnership.

As regards financial services at the micro level, the SAP will seek partnerships with PFIs committed to the rural sector. The arrangements facilitated under the 4P investment plans are entirely geared at facilitating access to affordable financial services for farmers, and at maintaining good business relationships between farmers, agribusinesses and financial institutions. The ties are further strengthened through the continuous savings process of farmers. Furthermore, the interventions at the micro and macro level through capacity building support to CBSL and PFIs will serve to improve financial inclusion over the long-term. These are complemented by the policy dialogue and engagement, which will contribute to improve the policy environment, hopefully opening access to financial services further in favour of the rural poor.

The environmental sustainability and climate resilience of the activities initiated under the 4Ps are also taken into consideration and recommendations have been made, notably related to water management, soil rehabilitation, agrochemical management and avoidance of common property exploitation.