Press Release

James H. Small Business Catalyst Fund and Farmer-to-Farmer Support Host Organizations in Southern Africa and Moldova

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USAID-funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program (F2F), implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), is partnering with the James H. Small Business Catalyst Fund (JHSBCF) to strengthen 13 F2F host organizations in Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. JHSBCF is a philanthropic entity that supports organizations around the globe to build resilience and grow their operations by improving competitiveness and sustainability, strengthening business management, enhancing market access and increasing networking and partnerships.

“The collaboration between JHSBCF and F2F builds on our shared objective of improving incomes and food security, particularly in communities vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and stressors,” said Marjatta Eilittä, Program Director of the CNFA-implemented F2F. “The partnership will also help F2F achieve its main goal of driving economic growth through agricultural development.”

The initial eight grants, valued at $50,000, aim to increase agricultural productivity, improve the quality of crops and effectively support agribusinesses to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. Through the partnership, JHSBCF will establish a joint procurement fund with CNFA and coordinate the selection of grantees, while F2F will procure grant equipment and implement volunteer assignments that contribute to the success of the selected host organizations.

“Each host organization, all of which are affiliated with CNFA’s F2F program, will employ unique and innovative solutions to help grow their business, from expanding poultry production to purchasing value-adding post-harvest processing equipment,” said Dr. James H. Small, President of JHSBCF. “Ultimately, we look forward to the successful outcomes of this partnership, particularly through F2F volunteer assignments aimed at helping hosts effectively utilize and maintain their new grant equipment.”

“We anticipate that the targeted support provided by Dr. Small to the 13 selected cooperatives, associations and agribusinesses will result in a boost of productivity and product quality, thereby improving access to markets, sales and incomes,” said Eilittä.

CNFA currently implements the F2F Program in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Moldova. The five-year program (2018-2023) aims to connect mid-to senior-level U.S. volunteer experts with farmer groups, agribusinesses, trade associations, agricultural finance providers and other agriculture sector institutions to facilitate sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production and marketing. Experts interested in volunteering for F2F can visit CNFA’s Volunteer page here or contact f2frecruitment@cnfa.org for more information.

The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.

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About CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 47 countries around the world.