Schweizer Agricultural- Division of Resettlement (DR)’ Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I) Report, January, 2025

Schweizer Agriculture, through its asset and fund management unit, has anchored the Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I) in Chongwe district. The TWG-I aims to mobilize resources to improve basic infrastructure and services for ten cooperative memberships, enabling them to increase production.

Background

Last year, the cooperatives faced challenges in securing funding through the public sector, such as the Resettlement Division (RD), and other private sector partners. To address this, the TWG-I is exploring alternative funding avenues, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to support local agricultural projects, particularly those involving women and youth.

Key Initiatives

1. Seed Company Partnership: The TWG-I is collaborating with Schweizer Agriculture to partner with two of the largest seed companies to grow soybeans seed. One company will sign a five-year contractual obligation with 10 serious women or youth cooperatives in the Resettlement Division (RD) scheme at Kanakantapa in Chongwe.
2. Project Proposal Development: The TWG-I is developing project proposals outlining objectives, budget, and timeline for each cooperative.
3. Community Engagement: The TWG-I is engaging with local communities to ensure the project aligns with cooperative needs, goals, and government policy objectives.
4. CDF Funding Opportunities: The TWG-I is exploring CDF funding opportunities by submitting proposals to the relevant constituency committee.
5. Networking and Collaboration: The TWG-I is building relationships with local authorities, council members, and stakeholders to support the project.

Attachments

Please find attached the January 2025 TWG-I report, which provides insight into our adaptation of available projects and funding opportunities at the local level.

Additional Initiatives

Separately, Schweizer Agriculture is facilitating resource mobilization with the Resettlement Division to enable its small-scale farmers to access finance through its Technical Working Group on Access to Finance (TWG-A2F).