Increasing production and output marketing of Niger seed and Chickpea

Limu Enera Union was established on 27 February 2006, as a multi-purpose farmers 'cooperatives Union initially with 11 legally registered PCs. Currently, the union is comprised of 55 PC members providing input provision, loan, and marketing services. Since the start of the C4C project in 2013, the union has managed to develop a feasibility study on Niger seed edible oil processing, and a sound five years strategic business plan. The union and its PCs have furthermore accessed organizational strengthening support and on site coaching for improved production, introduction of new varieties for Chickpea and Niger Seed, financial management, and output marketing. The feasibility study advised the union to focus on Niger seed output marketing, domestic and export markets, instead of focusing on processing. However the 2014 output marketing performance of the union was almost zero for Niger seed. The union was focusing more on coffee, instead of including Niger seed business. In 2015 the union managed to buy 420qt of Niger seed and the union now has the ambition to increase this amount in 2016. This year will be the final year of the C4C project in its current modality and therefore it is for now assumed that this will be the phase out action plan. However if Limu Enera shows significant improvement and energy in output marketing and implementation of the action plan, possibilities of continuation in the future is feasible under a potential new C4C project or directly under Agriterra. The 2016 action plan will specifically focus on: - Improving operational efficiency and output marketing of PCs through supporting salary of 4 PC managers. - Realize output marketing of 1000 qt Niger seed and 500 qt of Chickpea on local/international markets. - Capacity building on improved agronomic practices at farmer level for Niger seed and Chickpea and introduction of PICS bag (1000 bags). - Introduce the concept of Internal Capitalization and develop a future action plan to increase own capital.