PRESS RELEASE

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledges support for a Systematic Approach to Graduating the Cooperative Landscapes

Utrecht, Netherlands – 19th of December 2023  The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged EUR 8 million to AgriGRADE, an innovative approach to graduate the cooperative agricultural sector in emerging economies. The AgriGRADE concept, developed by SCOPEinsight, Agriterra, IDH, Oikocredit, and IDH FarmFit Fund, is a systematic and data-driven way of working that integrates proven concepts and tried and tested tools and services of the different organizations. The ultimate goal of the approach is to make cooperatives and farmer organizations in emerging markets more attractive for farmers, off-takers and investors. 

How TRUST BANK empowered tea farmers in Tanzania

Written by Ibrahimu Harry Mwankanye, Cooperative advisor Tanzania

RSTGA SACCO was established in 2008, thanks to the efforts of Rungwe Smallholders Tea Development Trust Fund that operates under the Association. This is the agent for the development of tea growing in the region. Before the SACCO was formalised, the development trust fund facilitated farmers in establishing savings and credit groups. After having facilitated these groups for 3 years, several farmers reached the stage that required a more professional organisation to serve the financial needs of tea growers in Rungwe. Currently RSTGA SACCO has 2,133 members.