How NWAB in Zambia is forging stronger ties with its members

by Oliver Reimer

For farmers' organisations, how to develop services is not a side issue. It is much more a strategic field in which win-win configurations are created for organisations and their members. If this is successful, members will benefit from the services that they urgently need and farmers' organisations will generate profit margins. This will ensure their financial stability and enable them to offer other services that cannot be represented in monetary terms, such as lobbying at national level.

Andreas Hermes Akademie (AHA) and its trainers are accompanying this process . Such is also the case for its Zambian partner Nonka Women in Agrobusiness (NWAB). A workshop led by AHA trainer Joseline Sithole provided the opportunity for deep reflection on members’ needs, gaps in the market, NWAB’s unmistakable brand essence and customised offers.

The first step was a stakeholder ranking: instead of using points, key stakeholder groups were playfully scored by placing seeds, the mounds with the most seeds symbolising the most important partners.

During further group work, participants worked on initial proposals: which services can be offered and paid for and how? What is NWAB’s unique brand essence in the community and how is it communicated? An analysis of the current situation identified where levers for cooperation and increased efficiency lie. The course concluded with pitch presentations on innovative supply models in preparation for contact with customers.

Developing services that fit both the organisation offering them and its customers, i.e. members, takes time. We have started to take the first steps together. Nobody knows where this journey must, should or will go. But we know our mission: we are accompanying NWAB to enable it to position itself even more centrally for its own members through providing services.

Financially supported by the BMZ.

The Author

Oliver Reimer

Programme Manager international

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