Agribusiness

We invest in people, their skills and business relationships to bring value chains to the next level and improve livelihoods of everyone involved

Would you like to see small-scale farming supply chains perform better? 

iCRA improves the performance of small-scale farmer supply chains. We reduce side-selling and transaction costs and increase access to finance. We establish local networks of relevant agribusiness actors. iCRA mentors local facilitators to transform these into efficiently, sustainably and profitably operating partnerships. We build trust and stimulate continuous improvement through an on-the-job learning cycles’ approach. 

The challenge of supply

At the source of value chains, small-scale  farmers, traders and processors often operate in volatile conditions. This context challenges consistent supply of produce through a smoothly functioning chain – resulting in issues like low productivity, post-harvest loss, side-selling, lack of working capital, etc. 

In iCRA’s experience, trust among value chain actors and mutual understanding of each others’ reality is a basic requirement for collaboration. People require capacities to establish and maintain these trustful business relationships. However, interventions often take a technical, managerial or financial entry point and moreover at individual actor level.

“I (like to) source from small-scale farmers, but need support to secure a consistent supply of high quality raw materials”

The way we work

iCRA works through local, trusted agribusiness coaches to broker linkages between value chain actors: farmers, input suppliers, transport services, credit services, traders, local processors and larger final off-takers. Coaches support these actors to address jointly identified business constraints in the chain.

Coaches are mentored by national iCRA trainers and come together at regular intervals to acquire new skills and reflect on the challenges faced by chain actors. Through our agribusiness cluster (ABC) coaching curriculum and unique learning cycles approach, iCRA trainers and coaches support local agribusiness networks to transform themselves into efficient, sustainable and profitable agribusiness partnerships.

Agribusiness cluster coaching

With the help of iCRA’s trainers and local coaches, you and your business counterparts step into your supply chain. Through a joint action-learning process – supported by our ABC coaching curriculum – we tackle the most pressing business constraints and assist you in building sustainable partnerships with your suppliers. This way we support you in reaching your programme objectives and the long-term impact you want to achieve.

Value chain insights & coaching design 

iCRA collects value chain intelligence, designs coaching plans, and validates intervention strategies. We integrate our approach within running support programmes. This leads to improved supply chain performance and allows you, as an agribusiness, to answer to the needs of your market and grow your business.

Tailor-made training & course 

Do you wish to learn more about iCRA’s agribusiness coaching methods and service delivery model?

iCRA offers tailor-made trainings to organisations and an open entry agribusiness course – Making Agribusiness Work!–  for individuals. Knowledge gained in these trainings and courses will enable your staff to scale your efforts to connect, collaborate and negotiate throughout the value chain. Once trained, you can train others as you grow and ensure your business is looking at a profitable and sustainable future.

With iCRA as your strategic partner, you have the full advantage of our 35+ years of expertise in capacity strengthening and coaching. As a pioneer in applying participatory and experiential learning approaches in the agribusiness sector, iCRA can help you optimize supply chains in emerging markets.