As a first step, before recommending a course of actions and a timetable, FarmStrong Foundation undertakes a detailed local needs assessment with a systemic analysis to understand the specific challenges and bottlenecks faced by farmers and their families. Through reverse engineering, FarmStrong Foundation identifies both root causes as well as roadblocks that could be lifted.
This phase is key to the success of the program. There may be many generalisations that can be made in cocoa, coffee or nut growing countries, but each community will have its own challenges.
Undertaken together with local producers, economic partners and authorities, the comprehensive situation analysis provides a true snapshot of the structural challenges faced by communities. This provides FarmStrong Foundation with the basis to build an ad-hoc tailored program that then translates into a series of economic, social and environmental key interventions. The approach transcends the traditional supply chain boundaries, while positively impacting farmers, families and communities.