The document summarizes a case study of Agri-ProFocus (APF), a multi-stakeholder platform in Uganda, and its impact on farmer entrepreneurs. APF aims to strengthen farmer organizations and entrepreneurs through knowledge sharing and capacity building. It operates through a network structure with governance bodies and support teams at various levels. Research found APF has influenced stakeholders through networking, information sharing, and events. However, its impact on farmers may be limited as participant selection favors some over others and knowledge dissemination to non-participants is limited without further sensitization and follow up efforts.

1. Unraveling multi-stakeholder platforms and their impact on farmer
entrepreneurs in Africa – Case studies from Uganda
Noor Ali | Domenico Dentoni | Jos Bijman | Wageningen University

2. Overview
Setting the Scene – ‘where is the opportunity and why’
Conceptual Design – ‘what’
Technical Design – ‘How’
Results – ‘what did we achieve’
Interpretation & conclusion – ‘what does it mean’

3. Background | Why Africa, why agri-food sector?
 Growth in Africa is partly jobless, partly inequitable
 Development of agri-food sector is imperative
 Growth five times more effective in reducing than others1
● 64 % of population in rural regions2
● 80 % total employment3
● 95% micro enterprises4
 Assist farmer entrepreneurs Reduction in poverty
 Solution: Inclusive coordination models (CMs) – E.g. Producer organisations,
buy led, NGO led networks, Multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs)

4. Research objectives
 Describe network structures, governance mechanisms and activities within
Agri-ProFocus (APF).
 Give insights on extent and pathways through which APF’s financial services
via marketplace events impacts farmers.
 Develop testable propositions conjecturing how structures and mechanisms
within APF and impact on farmer entrepreneurs.
Multi-stakeholder
platforms
Farmer
entrepreneurship
1
2

5. Research Framework – a short recap!
Agriculture and
food sector in
Uganda - industry
structure, policies,
regulations and key
challenges
Entrepreneurship
– mechanisms,
critical success
factors, problems
Multi-stakeholder
platforms (MSPs)
Background Study
Preliminary
contextual
understanding
Methodology
(interviews,
observations
& secondary
sources)
Understanding
of APF’s
structure &
impact analysis
of APF’s
financial
services via
marketplace
events on farmer
entrepreneurs
(Cross-group
comparison)
Interpretation of
results with
available
scientific
literature on
MSPs and
farmer
entrepreneurship
Development of
testable
propositions for
future research

6. Research Strategies | methods & sources
 Theoretical sampling
APF personnel (4)
Agri-Hub
members (14)
Farmers (32)
Non-participants
Control
Participants-Local NGOs
-International NGOs
-Banks
-MFIs
-Government
-University
- D. of Programmes
- N.F Uganda
- Country
coordinator
- Asst. country
coordinator
2 regions
5 districts
10 FOs
In-depth face to face interviews & observations
Secondary documents – APF reports, plans

7. Results | The Agri-ProFocus network – Theory of Change
Establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform
Knowledge sharing and co-creation
Uptake by all stakeholders and
development of an effective
support system
Stronger farmer organizations &
entrepreneurs
Sphere of
‘Control’
Sphere of
‘Influence’
Sphere of
‘Interest’
Outcome
Output
Impact

8. The Board, Participants’ Council and
support team
Agri-Hub
I. community
Reg. committee
Agri-Hub Agri-Hub
I. community I. community
Reg. committee
Reg. committee
Results | The Agri-ProFocus network – Network structure & governance

9. Participants’ Council
(37 Dutch members)
Board
(5-7 members)
Support Office
Country Host Organization
Director Network
Facilitators
(5)
Admin.
Officers
(4)
Agri-Hub Coordination Team
Coordinator Assistant Linkage
Facilitator
(Uganda)
Agri-Hub Advisory/Steering Committee
Innovation Communities
Regional Steering Committees
In The
Netherlands
In
Countries
Core Group
MSP 01
MSP 02
MSP 03
MSP 04
D.o.
Programmes
Network
structure &
governance

10. Results | stakeholders’ perspective – The Sphere of Influence
Networking
Information
sharing
Promotion &
marketing
Capacity building
Multi level structure
Online platforms
Independent &
connected broker
‘One – stop shop’
Decision-making at the
Agri-Hub level
Regional ‘marketplace
events’
International NGO
Local NGO
Commercial enterprises
Other
Propositions for further
research

11. Results | impact on farmers – The Sphere of Interest
Invitation to selected
cooperatives/ farmers’
groups to nominate
representative farmers
as participants (P)
Attendance of
selected
participants in the
agribusiness event
Dissemination of
knowledge from
participant to non-
participant farmers
(NP) within respective
cooperative/ group
Individual and
collective FO
benefits
Increase in awareness
of banks, MFIs and loan
procedures among
participant farmers (P)
APF’s planned impact pathway – Farmer organizations
Selected farmers
different than rest
-Socioeconomic
- Gender
Limited transfer of
knowledge
Limited impact
observed
HOW?
Fear and lack of
knowledge
Participant
selection
mechanism
Farmers
sensitization and
follow- up
Further avenues to
explore:
-Formalization of local
procedures
- Training of bank staff
- Translation of forms

12. Thank you –
Question & Comments?

13. References
1. The World Bank. (2008). World Development Report: Agriculture for Development.
Washington, D.C.
2. United Nations Development Programme. (2013). “Realizing Africa’s Wealth: Building
Inclusive Businesses for Shared Prosperity”.
3. McDade, B. E., & Spring, A. (2005). The ‘new generation of African entrepreneurs’:
networking to change the climate for business and private sector-led
development. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 17(1), 17-42.
4. Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from www.ubos.org