What are the steps to create sustainable solutions for agribusiness?

An example I have seen with this, in an organisation that I worked for (An international organisation) is operating in South Africa Eastern Cape trying to implement the market systems approach to small scale farmers. Market systems approach is great way to make sure farmers have terminal relationships with Government and Organisations and remove dependancy , but the project did not do thorough contextualisation and they are failing to get farmers to participate on the project. This is a good strategy that was meant to be implemented with emerging farmers who all ready have resources , not with small scale , rural farmers who still need support with everything , they need equipment and funding, training is needed but means little now.

Clearly defined goals for a great baseline for any project . It is very important that SMART goals are put forth in order to determine the direction of development. This helps a lot when it comes to Monitoring , Evaluation and learning , this is where you will be able , from the goals to define important data points that will help you measure whether the goals are being met or not and almost determine what inefficiencies need to be optimised , sometimes the goals themselves will need to be be redefined at some stage of the development.

One thing that I have found very helpful when it comes generating alternatives is to do baseline studies. These studies will help you create a situational map, where you know the project environment , and it enables you to identify keep areas of development and determine steps to get there . From baseline study you will have a complete overview of the problem and possible , realistic solutions to tackle it and this will help you create tools that will help you evaluate progress because at this point , you will be able to set project milestones for each alternative you might have. Here you will be able to measure costs, sustainability and true impact, and be able to know which strategy will be effective when it comes to solving the problem.

When there’s a problem, the main goal should be solving or addressing that , this then creates a theoretical frame work of what actions need to be taken to solve that problem. This theoretical framework , must have a goal, a goal must then be able to create a list of prescriptive activities that need to be undertaken in order to reach the goal and solve the problem. Implementation of those goals on a timely manner with necessary resource and expertise is very important in bringing a project to success . And this steps requires clear implementation milestones that can determine the effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation process and these milestones will help in terms of evaluating whether the solution is effective or not.

When it comes to implementation , a realistic work plan is very important. It helps you identify all tasks that need to be completed and skills that will be needed (personnel). It is very important that the work plan is directly linked to project goals and objectives and key data points are identified in order to assist with the Monitoring , Evaluation and Learning process which is the heart of each project that measures success , both formatively and summatively.

On this regard, a baseline study conducted before a solution is implemented, helps to create data collection points and key indicators of where the project is and where it is going. These indicators then help with collecting and analysing data during the implementation process in order to determine success of the project. This why was the Monitoring , Evaluation and Learning Office is important so as to create concrete data set that can be analysed and interpreted to determine projects successes , failures and critical areas of improvement.

This is a very critical stage , because it always determines the sustainability of many initiatives and projects. Well communicated results amongst stakeholders can determine a way forward, whether a solution will continue being developed and implemented or an approach needs to be changed or the overall impact of a particular implemented solution. But this depends on good Monitoring and evaluation, therefor MEL most be throughly done in order for results to be communicated properly.

One thing I’ve found helpful when it comes to running an agribusiness is , don’t isolate yourself from other agribusiness role players and practitioners. Always discuss with them, hear their options , share your options and SOME of your ideas to and get feedback on them, visit farms and see different production techniques that might be integrated into your current business. Attend most farmers markets, farmers info days , visit farms , visit research centres and all. I have found this to be very useful for me