10th Agri-Finance Fair and Market Linkages

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1 Date: 30th -31st August, 2018 Time: 2 days Location: Kayonza District Background 10th Agri-Finance Fair and Market Linkages AgriProFocus is a network that promotes agriculture as a business. Since its establishment in 2005 by Dutch NGOs, businesses, finance agencies and knowledge institutes, it has grown in leaps and bounds. It now has national networks in Indonesia, Myanmar, and in 10 African countries including Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. AgriProFocus Rwanda currently has more than 1900 members and more than 210 affiliated organisations. These include farmers organizations, agri-businesses, financial institutions, cooperatives, research institutions, government and development agencies amongst others. It capitalizes on existing member activities as well as innovative network ideas to support farmers and their organisations. Improving Agribusiness AgriProFocus Rwanda seeks to support farmers to practice agriculture as a business, access innovative business development services and maximize profits. The availability of affordable and accessible credit is critical for the success of the agricultural sector. Credit enables agrientrepreneurs to mobilize the resources required to support production and marketing activities, which are key to successful entrepreneurship. The growing interest in small scale farmers by financial institutions such as banks and MFIs has increased the number of financial products available. However, few farmers know of these financial and insurance products thus limiting their uptake and utilization. Moreover, several agribusiness companies, cooperatives and farmers have various innovations, products and services they would like to show to farmers and buyers and thus increase their portfolio of sales. Increasing market linkages and visibility of agribusiness products will enhance profitability of these agri business innovations, products and services. Goal and objectives of the fairs To address the information gap on financial services and to offer a market linkages opportunity, AgriProFocus Rwanda and partners will organize an Agri-Business fair on 30th -31st August

2 2018, in collaboration with different stakeholders. The exhibitors will come from all over the country. The fair will be held in Kayonza District, Eastern Province. The goal of this fair is to improve agribusiness development by facilitating an easy access to financial services, Market and business linkages. The objectives of the event are to: Facilitate Business to Business interactions and connections between different stakeholders. Improve the availability of affordable and accessible financial services for agricultural value chain development; Facilitate farmers and financial service providers for information sharing, dialogue and interaction and discuss measures to improve the market information system; Inform farmers on loan applications, collaterals needed by the best financial providers, etc. Incite different stakeholders operating in other provinces, to explore business opportunities. Benefits as a Finance Service Provider The event will provide to each participating financial service provider a separate stand and logistical support to display, in an attractive and accessible way, financial products/services to facilitate information-sharing and matchmaking with interested clients. During the plenary session, financial institutions will share their experiences, requirements, discuss the challenges with farmers and look for appropriate products for mutual benefit. Benefits as a farmer, Cooperatives and Agribusiness Farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses companies will receive first-hand information on loan applications, collateral requirements, insurance products and benefits, agri-input providers, etc. Farmers will have face-to-face inquiries and discuss ways of making direct deals with financial institutions and agri-input providers. Farmers, cooperatives and agribusiness companies can present their business plans to interesting financial institutions of their choice. Also as a participant you can give your opinion in the plenary forums with farmer groups and farmers in general discussion with financial and insurance service providers. Benefit as a supporter of Agribusiness For Agribusiness supporters, the event will bring together agri-networking people, connect experiences on finance for farming, and other innovation in the sector. Supporters of agribusiness will discover new opportunities for their farmers, through Business to Business interactions and connections between different stakeholders.

3 Track Record AgriProFocus Rwanda has been facilitating these Fairs over the past 8 years. In total 9 fairs have been organized, with over 10,000 participants in total. We managed to link at least ¼ of all people gathered at these fairs. Potential financial institutions As it has been a custom, AgriProFocus intends to invite different financial institutions and investments funds to meet farmers, mainly: BDF Duterimbere IMF KCB Equity Bank Urwego Bank Unguka Bank RIM UMUTANGUHA Finance Company ltd Vision Fund Rwanda UAP insurance Acre Africa Grofin BRD COPEDU Clecam Ejo Heza NEP Other Development partners and other partners: AFR EKN UR-CAEVM ICCO Cooperation/STARS PROGRAM SNV Rwanda SPARK Rwanda USAID/PSDAG CNFA/Hinga Weze Agriterra CRS OIKO Credit World vision Rwanda Help a Child Rwanda One Acre Fund/Tubura Private Companies/SMEs

4 SEED-CO International Balton Agrotech EAX Rwanda Holland GreenTech Rwanda Africa Improved Foods Components of the event The Agri-Finance Fair consists of two main parts: Exhibition of financial products and services, agricultural innovations and Side workshops. This year side events will be made of Access to finance workshop and Access to market workshop In these side events, Financial institutions are given a platform to clearly explain to farmers about the products they and farmers are given a platform to ask questions and discuss challenges they encounter in agrifinance loan access. Organizing Partners

5 Sponsorship: $2,500 GOLD Full visibility package Logos on the cross road banners, and all printed materials and online promotional activities. Mentioned in the fair advertisement to be published in several printed media Booth during the Fair for the organization and its beneficiaries Business pitch during the fair Logo on the fair concept note, invitation and promotional $2,000 SILVER Booth during the fair for the organization and its beneficiaries Business pitch during the fair Networking session with a drink Logo on the concept note, invitation and other promotional materials, as organizers Logo on the cross road banner $1,500 BRONZE Booth during the fair Networking session with a drink Business pitch during the Fair Logo on the promotional materials

6 materials as organizers Networking session with a drink Be part of the live talk show on radio Huguka Photo from previous Agri-Finance Fair 2017 held in Muhanga district.