Dutch feed group to lend expertise to African, Asian and Latin American farmers
Agriterra, which was founded in 1997 by a number of Dutch agricultural and horticultural organizations and has an annual turnover of €15m, supports farmer groups and cooperatives in emerging markets with knowledge and advice to contribute to the sustainable production of meat, eggs, and dairy.
It said it works using a peer-to-peer approach: experts from the Dutch agriculture and food sector advise their colleagues in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
ForFarmers said its employees would register to help with particular challenges at agricultural cooperatives that Agriterra supports. They would be then deployed to an assignment following approval from both parties.
“The cooperation with Agriterra fits with our mission ‘For the Future of Farming’ and our corporate social responsibility policy,” said a spokesperson for ForFarmers.
The ForFarmers participant would have to use some of their own annual leave allowance to cover part of the assignment, but the Dutch feed group said it would compensate for the remaining days. Agriterra takes care of the travel and accommodation expenses.
The ForFarmers spokesperson told us its employees would be only to ready to take up the mantle on this in the knowledge that experience working internationally, particularly on projects contributing to a more sustainable agriculture system in emerging markets, is highly valued by the company.
An assignment, typically based on a module approach, would normally last only one to two weeks, she explained.
In addition to the ForFarmers employee, an assignment team would consist of an Agriterra employee, a local employee, and another expert with a different area of expertise who has also been deployed by Agriterra.
