This section shows key achievements in Quarter 4of 2020 for all initiatives implemented under the Market Systems Development project. PIND’s Market Development project supports farmers and small enterprises in key agricultural sectors in the Niger Delta to improve their productivity, leading to an increase in income and reduction of poverty. The project utilizes the market systems development approach that relies on a sound initial analysis of market systems to pinpoint the underlying causes of market weaknesses to inform the design and implementation of interventions that address the underlying causes rather than symptoms.
For the period under review, following the easing of inter-State border restrictions and release of new guidelines of phased resumptions of public gathering, PIND worked closely with partners and market actors to expand outreach activities to farmers albeit with strict adherence to the safely precautions and guidelines instituted to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. PIND demonstrated strong resilience in its resolve to provide succor to the implementing partners in the following ways:
- Recommended increase us of virtual platforms to encourage networking among the service providers, who quickly adjusted to the use of virtual platform to improve communications and collaborations to deepen support to farmers;
- Linked farmers and processors to viable sources of finance and inputs in collaboration with market actors and service
- Focused on expanding demonstrations and training activities capturing the late planting season
- Farmers leveraged existing relationships established with service providers, who are close to them, to ensure sustained access to inputs needed for their farming, and several others.
