Every link in our service offerings is important-if one is missing, then the others won’t have as much impact. ISAP provides all of these services together, enabling farmers and rural communities to significantly increase their income and build paths to prosperity.
ISAP applies scientific research and new technical knowledge to agricultural practices for farmer education in improved productivity and translation of the new knowledge into innovative practices in the fields. Activities include risk management and livelihood diversification.
ISAP builds strong intuitions to build local capacity, establish centres of learning and provide strength in numbers. These intuitions consist of both Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Agribusiness Village Resource Centres (AVRCs). ISAP mobilises groups of farmers into FPOs to improve production, productivity and profitability. AVRCs are managed by trained FPOs and offer value add services to farmers. Sections are also given over to community development and cater for women’s centres, healthcare facilities and children recreation.
Farmers, women and youth receive market-relevant training in modern agricultural techniques as well as non-farm vocational training. The empowerment of women is given special focus and complementary skills around agency and civic rights awareness are integrated into vocational training curricula. Post training – ISAP works with employer placements and currently places more than 70% of trainees into jobs.
ISAP promotes and strengthens FPOs by addressing the challenges of access to investment, technology and quality inputs to prepare farmers for new market linkages. In parallel, ISAP works with its affiliate partners to create business relationships with agri-buyers. Complimenting this is the training of farmers around market fluctuations, crop diversification and value added products.
Agriculture can’t be practised without reference to the natural resources that support it. With water becoming an increasingly valuable commodity, farmers require support in harvesting of water and frugal usage for irrigation. Communities are also supported in the creation and maintenance of clean drinking water. Renewable energy projects (biogas & solar) round up ISAPs work in supportive infrastructure.