Agri-Finance Marketplace Savings Products for Tea Smallholders 24 th November 2011 Felix Meier zu Selhausen Nelson Basaija Slide 1/21
Agenda 1. Mpanga Tea Growers 2. The Financial Survey 3. Recommendations 4. Implementation Phase Slide 2/21
The survey conducted by MMU was funded indirectly through German Development Cooperation Public Private Partnership (PPP) tender won by Mpanga Tea Growers in May 2011 Slide 3/21
1. Mpanga Tea Growers Factory Mpanga Tea (1995) is one out of 4 tea factories owned by smallholder farmers in Uganda (among Igara, Mabale and Kayonza) 900 associated growers with an average 1.6 hectares, produce 917kg of green leaf per month translating into 330,000 UGX Fairtrade premiums reinvested into: Health services (clinic) Shallow water wells and pumps SACCO Slide 4/21
2. The Survey Mpanga SACCO was interested in: 1. Is there a low savings culture among small-scale tea farmers? If yes, what are the reasons for it? 2. How can the SACCO improve financial access (savings) for small-scale tea farmers? Slide 5/21
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1. The Survey - Overview Data collected from 7 tea-centres Tea growers 99 Tea pickers 35 Field supervisors 5 Total 139 108/754 Mpanga SACCO members (14.3%) Slide 7/21
2. The cost of distance Distance from tea-centre to factory 13.6km 8,400 UGX travel costs Own a mobile phone 61% Distance to Mobile Money agent 6.1km Slide 8/21
2. Low Savings? Monthly savings at Mpanga SACCO (108) UGX 21,000 % of income 6% Monthly savings at other places (56) UGX 24,000 % of income 7% 37% of growers/pluckers save in other places than Mpanga SACCO Slide 9/21
2. Saving groups Other place per month No. Savings (UGX) Other SACCO 17 9,200 Commercial Bank 14 97,000 Saving groups 17 36,000 In the house 8 18,500 How can house -savings be channelled to Mpanga SACCO? Groups! Costs of distance is a problem members save in local groups/house/other SACCOs Slide 10/21
2. Why Saving? More than 1 out of 3 responses to why savings was about preparing/planning for the future or acquiring an asset 57% growers/pluckers stated that they would save more during a peak-season (seasonality) Farmers want to plan for the future and invest into assets. Farmers require a product that channels their seasonal peak-incomes into future lump-sums Slide 11/21
3. Recommendations 1. Mobile Money to bridge distance and costs when saving 2. Savings Groups at tea-centres for savings mobilization and reduced costs to farmers 3. Commitment Savings to respond to farmers needs and opportunities (i.e. fertilizer, school fees) Slide 12/21
4. Training of Trainers Workshop The Savings Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop (August 2011) aimed at equipping centre heads and SACCO staff with techniques how to sensitize and train tea farmers on savings practices Savings plan Budgeting Saving group mobilization Slide 13/21
million UGX 4. Member Savings SACCO: 2011 Savings Workshop effect?! Slide 14/21
4. Outreach to farmers via Mobile Money MM Mpanga SACCO 14km 8,400 UGX 6km C MM Satellite cash payment centres which disperse cash payment to farmers through Mobile Money to reduce transaction costs for farmers and allows easier saving in SACCO MM Slide 15/21
4. Farmer Savings Groups Mpanga SACCO Slide 16/21
4. Commitment Savings for Farmers Fertilizer School Fees Slide 17/21
4. Why Commitment Savings? Typically tea farmers have two peak harvest seasons when output and thus income is high, which has to cover expenses for the future months Farmers use their incomes for everyday expenses and for buying agricultural inputs for the next planting season (fertilizer, seeds etc.) However, many find it difficult to resist the temptation of spending income right after it is received! Slide 18/21
4. Why Commitment Savings? Commitment accounts are offered to tea farmers during the low tea output season (Jan- March & June-Sept) when farmers typically lack funds while waitingfor the peak harvest This is an effective design feature since their lack of savings is on the tea farmers mind in this period, and they can commit to saving for the next planting season Farmers set a date of withdrawal or a savings goal (i.e. 300,000 Shs) they are not able to touch their savings until that date Farmers groups received tutorials providing information on savings and how to open the account Slide 19/21
Enjoy Mpanga Tea! Meet us at our stand outside on the Marketplace Slide 20/21
Thank you very much for your attention! Felix Meier zu Selhausen felix.meierzuselhausen@giz.de Junior Advisor Mountains of the Moon Uni. 0781633148 Nelson Basaija basaijjan@yahoo.com SACOO Manager Mpanga Tea Growers SACCO 0774447959 Slide 21/21