By Anthony Muhia

Harold Mate: Senior Technical Specialist- Markets, Trade and Private Sector Partnerships 

On the third day of November 2006, a young man stepped out of an office with much enthusiasm. His first assignment though likely very challenging was an opportunity for him to self-evaluate his fit in the organization as well as the relevance of his college-earned skills in a practical perspective. In his honest opinion, he did not conceive such a great future in his career, after all the organization was young but he made up his mind to serve faithfully and diligently. Looking back ten years later, it is still a surprise to him how the firm grew to impact lives of millions of smallholder farmers across the African continent.

For the past 12 years, FCI’s dedicated Market Research Department has conducted 325 Market & Value Chain Studies and market monitoring & retail audits that reveal the unknown important role played by the Traditional Informal Markets in the agri-marketing systems in Africa. 
 
Minimal documented information on the value, volumes and role of traditional informal markets has led into limited understanding of their role in the equilibrium of market forces for agri-value chains in Africa resulting into minimal development or government interventions focused on the informal systems. FCI is the pioneer in unmasking the engine of agri-markets trade in Africa based on the Traditional Informal Markets Efficiency (TIME) Model, aimed at building capacity of the players.

Farm Concern International seized the moment to share market data at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2016 which was held at the UN Complex in Gigiri. The forum brought together over 1,000 delegates from over 30 countries in Africa including heads of state and policy makers in the agricultural sector to advance policies and secure investments that will ensure a better life for millions of Africa’s farmers and families—and realize the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Trade-Fair in Moshi,Tanzania with 425 Smallholder Farmers; drawn from 100 Commercial Villages, 26 Private Companies and 15 Development Partners organised by Farm Concern International Tanzania, supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.