You can still donate online for other projects through the OVO Acceleration Fund (with tax certificate as from € 40). Would you like to invest directly? Please follow this link: https://donate.kbs-frb.be/actions/FFO-OVOAcceleration?lang=en_EN
You can still donate online for other projects through the OVO Acceleration Fund (with tax certificate as from € 40). Would you like to invest directly? Please follow this link: https://donate.kbs-frb.be/actions/FFO-OVOAcceleration?lang=en_EN
This cooperative is a bridge between farmers and urban consumers in search of fresh and processed quality products.
ENTENTE is a cooperative that operates according to the principles of a GIE (Groupement d'Intérêt Economique). It is the emanation of 15 village groupings with a total of 1,275 producer members.
This cooperative already has:
In addition, ENTENTE already operates with a recognized and strong financial partner in the context of a formal agreement, namely the Banque Agricole.
The project focuses on the expansion of rice seed production in southwestern Senegal through the adoption of climate resilient and intelligent agriculture, leading to a 130% increase in production.
To achieve this, the cooperative has to invest in the purchase of quality seeds and acquire 3 machines called seed threshers.
Through this project, ENTENTE plans to train a large number of farmers on technical rice production itineraries, fertiliser use techniques, phytosanitary treatment and seed labelling processes. It will organise community awareness sessions and training for producers on good and new agricultural practices.
The supply strategy for agricultural products will focus on "small" producers, family structures that carry out the following tasks: planting and harvesting, processing, packaging and intermediate storage of the products.
The staff directly involved in this additional activity comprises 18 people: 1 coordinator, 1 project manager, 1 accountant and 15 agricultural technicians.
The project will benefit from ENTENTE's existing structures allowing for a quick start of the production expansion.
The objective of ENTENTE is to respond to the main societal challenges in Senegal:
The promotion of agriculture is a government priority and responds to a need in Senegal as highlighted in a report by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) published in 2021.
ENTENTE has proven experience in the system of rice intensification, or SRI, that it intends to adopt as part of this project aimed not only at adapting to climate change but also, and above all, at increasing rice production and productivity throughout the Kataba 1 district.
The project is in line with OVO's objectives in terms of sustainable development:
The necessary budget is estimated at € 109,000 and will be financed by a € 10,000 grant from the producers, a € 31,000 loan grant from OVO and a € 68,000 bank loan.
OVO supports the purchase of seeds and 3 seed threshers for an amount of € 31,000.
The loan from OVO is repayable over two years in half-yearly instalments of interest and capital, with an 18-month grace period for the first capital payment.
This loan will be provided by OVO at an interest rate of 7% per annum, half from Business Angels and half from Crédit Sud.
Based on the project coaching and my experience of years of activities in and with different countries in West Africa, I am willing to contribute an amount of €1,500 to the financing of the project to extend the rice seed production capacity of GIE ENTENTE, which can rely on an experienced management and a solid organisation, on a large network of various partners including state bodies and associations active in the field of agriculture and research centres, effective and proven operational processes, which, when coordinated, will increase the number of rice seed producers and quality rice customers in Senegal who can make a living from farming and contribute to the Senegalese government's goal of achieving food self-sufficiency while encouraging women's work.