Turning Dependency Into Opportunity

It would have been so easy for Team HODA to go online, and with a click of a button donate all their money raised to an overseas development charity. It would have been so simple, so worry free… but so unlike Team HODA! From day one they refused to take shortcuts, and until this day it remains the same.

They had two conditions in mind for the money raised during the event,
1. They wanted the money to be used directly in Bongo to create opportunities.
2. They wanted to be part of the decision making process of where their supporters’ money would be used.

It was no problem for me; I was actually ecstatic they had this in mind! So following the post-event excitement and numerous emails leading up… the infamous ‘Call 4 Change’ took place that had the team and myself brainstorming ways to utilize the money until the wee hours of the night and morning, respectively. They were challenged to struggle with ideas that took into account the perception that the community could have of me if the use of money went public, and I was challenged to compare their ideas to the realities here overseas. It was a productive call to say the least, with our thoughts covering all sorts of ideas ranging from the educational sector to even the healthcare sector. When all was said an done though, we found it most beneficial to stick with the sector I have been primarily focusing on during my time on here… agriculture.

After presenting to them the challenges that small-scale farmers faced, an idea was agreed upon that could involve the best of both worlds; combining the business skills of the team, with the in-field realities of the farmer. The idea was to right the wrongs of the past, and implement a loan system that worked. We know that for businesses at home to develop and expand, initial capital is needed. The same concept applies here; but due to poor processes and failed exit strategies in the past, loans are not viewed in that way.

Although seemingly simple in nature, there is a lot more to the idea than meets the eye. We’re not here to hurt the farmers; we’re here to help them… but in order for that to happen, they have to be willing to help themselves. Sure the new Farmer Group Business Development Fund (FGBD Fund) will provide 5 groups each with a 100 GHC (~$100) loan, but getting it won’t be so easy. Groups have to fill in an in-depth application that challenges them to plan their group business farming activity, and ensure they understand exactly where the money needs to go in order for them to benefit the most. Although all groups will be eligible to apply, not all groups will be selected for the loan. Five groups that are deemed to be ‘strong groups’ by the FGBD Fund Evaluation Committee, will have to sign a ‘Deed of Agreement’ that outlines they understand the conditions of the loan and agree to pay it back, and only then will they receive the funds to begin developing their farming business.

Although the main idea of this program is to provide farmer groups with the opportunity to begin developing their business; there were many other reasons this idea was pursued…

• Groups will be challenged not only in obtaining the loan, but also using it effectively to benefit them most; all of which will get them ready for business in the real world.
• MoFA Bongo will have it’s chance to really help groups reach new heights, allowing them to possibly set the standard in the agriculture sector.
• The Northern Rural Growth Program (NRGP), which is yet to launch, will see farmer’s competing to supply the program’s large demand for produce. The program requires that farmers and groups create proposals for their plans; similar to what our application requires.
• I have a hypothesis… it’s that strong farmer groups are the real ones who control changing other farmers mindsets to approach farming as a business. Our curriculum may not reach, nor convince, all farmers; but farmer groups that are willing to take on the challenge of this curriculum and work to success, they are the ones who will change the minds of the sceptical farmer… something we like to call, Positive Deviance.

For more information about the program, download the full proposal, application, and agreement documents below…

FGBD Fund Proposal	FGBD Fund Application	FGBD Fund Agreement