Stakeholder surveys follow up key projects

One of the key aims of the SSNUP programme is to share knowledge and offer the partners a platform to exchange their experiences in the field. To this end, the individual projects are not seen in isolation, instead, the programme coordinator and knowledge manager ADA distils lessons learnt and disseminates best practices for the benefit of all project and programme stakeholders.

ADA commissions in-depth studies to follow up selected projects which represent the different types of technical assistance provided by the SSNUP partners. These studies are based on face-to-face interviews with smallholders and other project stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the outcome and impact of the technical assistance co-funded by the SSNUP programme.

Improved living conditions of smallholders in Burkina Faso

The first such survey followed a 2022 project by impact investor Incofin which strengthened the position of the processing company Anatrans in the global cashew nut market and local cashew value chain in Burkina Faso. The project supported two cashew nut farmer cooperatives supplying Anatrans in obtaining a Fairtrade certification and in putting in place a mechanism for providing smallholders with cash advances outside of the harvest season. Besides the prevention of child labour stipulated by the Fairtrade certification, Anatrans also monitors schooling and access to healthcare for the smallholders’ children. 

The survey found that the project had a positive impact on all stakeholders (cashew nut households, their cooperatives and Anatrans as the buyer). The Fairtrade certification both facilitates market access and promotes sustainable production methods and social development, thereby creating win-win situations for the different actors in agricultural value chains. According to the surveyed farmers, these economic and social benefits outweighed the cost of obtaining the certification. 

The survey also found that the advance payments provided by Anatrans were crucial for the farmers to cover production costs, adopt new practices, cover household expenses (especially schooling and healthcare for the children) and avoid negative coping mechanisms for dealing with unexpected expenses. 

This survey is the first in a whole ‘Voice of the Farmers’ series highlighting the perspective of smallholder farmers for assessing the impact of projects co-financed by SSNUP.