In 2013, Winrock Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers completed 150 assignments, providing training and assistance to more than 8,000 individuals in 12 countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These volunteers have left lasting impressions and invaluable knowledge to help transform agricultural practices, agribusinesses, and livelihoods.
In Bangladesh, one host organization notes, “Winrock’s F2F volunteer technical assistance created wider opportunities of livelihood options for our students and farmers.”
In El Salvador, the manager of a large Cooperative states, “The volunteers have been very beneficial. We are now making changes as a result of their recommendations. The training has opened our eyes!”
And in Mali, a lead farmer exclaims, “What I have been searching for ten years, the volunteer gave to me in ten days!”
There are so many examples of lasting impacts, unique inter-cultural experiences, and memorable people-to-people exchanges resulting from these assignments.
This fall, we began a transition into a new phase of Farmer-to-Farmer, with continued funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Over the next five years, Winrock will manage F2F programs in Asia (Bangladesh, Burma/Myanmar, and Nepal) and West Africa (Guinea, Nigeria, and Senegal), focusing on strengthening agriculture education and training programs, equipping youth entrepreneurs, and improving incomes and food security for smallholder farmers.
We are grateful for the continued opportunity to implement F2F around the world in 2014 and beyond, with the active participation of our talented volunteers, dedicated field staff, and determined local host organizations.
May 2014 be peaceful, happy, and prosperous for all!