AIM-N maps coconut, cocoa, cassava and ginger value chains in Isabel to improve markets and opportunities for farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), through the Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project, is undertaking a provincial stakeholder workshop and value chain mapping exercise in Buala, Isabel Province, to identify practical opportunities for strengthening agriculture, improving market access and creating greater benefits for farmers and rural communities.
The work done is under Component 2 – Value Chain Development of the AIM-N framework project.
This is aimed at strengthening stakeholder partnerships and the project’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) approach.
The provincial stakeholder workshop provides an important opportunity to introduce stakeholders to AIM-N, explain the project’s objectives and components, and discuss how different government agencies, communities, farmers and other stakeholders can contribute to implementation in Isabel Province.
A major part of the workshop involved stakeholder mapping.
Participants identified organizations, groups and individuals connected to agricultural production, nutrition, markets, community development and rural livelihoods.
The workshop also placed strong emphasis on inclusive participation, particularly the involvement of women, youth, people with disabilities and other groups that can sometimes be excluded from development opportunities.
One of the key outcomes from the stakeholder engagement was the identification of four priority value chains for further assessment and development under AIM-N Component 2: coconut, cocoa, cassava and ginger.
The four commodities will now be examined more closely through value chain mapping and field-based assessment.
Discussions are looking at the entire value chain, from production and harvesting through processing, transportation, buying, trading and marketing.
The exercise is intended to provide AIM-N with a better understanding of where practical interventions can be made to strengthen the selected value chains and improve opportunities for farmers.
Another important achievement from the stakeholder workshop was the establishment of the Isabel Provincial Coordination Committee (PCC).
The committee will provide a platform for continued coordination and communication between AIM-N, the Isabel Provincial Government, MALD, government agencies and other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, John Mark Lokumana Isabel Provincial Secretary welcomed the AIM-N Project and expressed the Provincial Government’s commitment to working closely with the project.
“The Provincial Government is ready to work closely with AIM-N throughout its implementation. We will support the project through our relevant divisions and strengthen coordination and collaboration at the provincial level.”
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that AIM-N delivers sustainable benefits to farmers and rural communities.
MALD Chief Field Officer for Isabel Province also acknowledged the importance of the engagement and said the workshop was different from many conventional workshops because the discussions would directly influence future project activities.
“This is not an ordinary workshop like many others we have attended. The discussions and decisions we make here will have an important bearing on the future implementation of AIM-N in Isabel Province,” he said.
He stressed that the identification and development of value chains must lead to practical opportunities for farmers.
Mrs Loreta Kelimana, a representative from the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, described the workshop as an eye-opening and valuable experience.
“The discussions have given us a much better understanding of the potential that exists in Isabel Province, particularly within our agricultural sector,” she said.
AIM-N Inclusive Partnerships Manager and Team Leader for the Isabel mission, Alex Gina Kivolyn, said the engagement has progressed well, with strong participation from provincial authorities, MAL, government stakeholders and farmers.
“The discussions have been constructive, and participants have shown strong interest and willingness to support the implementation of AIM-N in Isabel Province,” she said.
The AIM-N team is continuing with the value chain development workshop, where stakeholders are mapping the selected commodities, identifying constraints and opportunities, discussing potential interventions and prioritizing areas for further assessment.
Through inclusive stakeholder engagement, value chain development and stronger provincial coordination, the AIM-N Project is working towards better market opportunities, increased value addition and improved livelihood opportunities for farmers and rural communities in Isabel Province.
MALD Press Release
