In 2022, Fert and the Institut Agro Montpellier undertook a study of the impact of its actions in sub-Saharan Africa as part of the TransFert multi-country co-financed by the AFD.
At the same time, a study was carried out to capitalize on Fert’s 35-year experience in Madagascar. These two closely related studies, coordinated by teacher-researcher Betty Wampfler, have resulted in a number of publications that are now available to the general public.
Consult our studies in french to discover the impact of Fert’s actions in Sub-Saharan Africa and access additional resources.
After 9 years of program support to partner producer organizations (POs) in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Madagascar, Fert has initiated two complementary studies:
For these two studies, the aim was not to provide mathematical proof of impact and deliver a “success story” to be duplicated. For Fert, the aim was to contribute to the retrospective analysis of its action, to the consolidation of its approach and to forward-looking reflection. For the partner POs, these studies provide input for the management of their services, the consolidation of their structure and governance, and their strategic thinking with a view to sustainability and viability. Finally, for each of the players involved, the two studies enable them to report back, explain their choices and approaches, share the process, question it collectively, and learn from it in terms of the methods used to support agricultural development.
Fert wished to conduct these studies in a collaborative manner, mobilizing both internal skills (Fert and its partners in the various countries) and external skills (Institut Agro Montpellier: teacher-researcher, students, consultants). Relying on a rigorous scientific approach, the methodology co-constructed for the two studies is based on two principles:
The four support programs analyzed are difficult to compare in terms of impact, given their different contexts, partners and support durations.
However, Fert’s support trajectory can be broken down into four stages.
At each stage, the factors favoring or limiting the effects are explained for each context/country.
“The analysis of effects and impact highlights the transformative capacities of the support approach used by Fert. This type of support can lead to profound changes in the living conditions of family farms, in people’s perception of the farming profession, and in the ability of family farms to structure themselves and face future challenges.”
Through the experience of 35 years of partnership with Fifata in Madagascar, the fundamental principles of Fert’s approach were made explicit:
More than a classic development aid relationship, this experience proved to be profoundly singular in its nature, duration and ability to invent a new and progressively balanced mode of relationship. The partnership was not without its tensions and misunderstandings, but in the end it led to a genuine, trusting partnership between two organizations from two different worlds.
Based on these principles, Fert’s action takes the form of :
“Fert places farmers at the heart of its mission. Each initiative stems directly from the needs and ideas of the farmers themselves. Fert’s approach is based in particular on the figure of the relay farmer: individuals selected for their openness to innovation, their desire to share their knowledge and their ability to lead others. These relay farmers are essential, acting as key intermediaries between farmers in the field and agricultural advisors, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and improved agricultural practices. While retaining their independence, farmers benefit from the personalized support of agricultural advisors, who help them to identify and implement solutions adapted to their specific challenges. By supporting Fert, Unigrains is making a significant and rewarding commitment. For the past 40 years, Unigrains has contributed to Fert’s development through annual financial support, marking its enduring commitment to a positive and measurable societal impact.”
