Chapter 7. GAIN methodology to enhance producer organizations’ capacity for market integration 237
Following bilateral consultations with key current and potential partners, SOS Sahel organized a
feedback workshop gathering together members of the Tien-Tieetaa Union and its partners in order to
finalize the action plan. The results of the assessment workshop including the Union’s proposals were
submitted for validation to partners who expressed their perspectives, expectations and requirements
to foster win-win collaboration. The results of the workshop with partners and the Union’s finalized
Action Plan are presented in the appendix to this chapter.
Regarding the setting up of a mutual savings and loan fund, it was decided to first reorganize and
train Union members. The mutual fund would be financed by members’ individual and collective
contributions and also by potential financial partners and would have its own own premises.
As for setting up seed production, the Union will first seek to identify varieties and then find producers
able to invest in the strategy and thirdly to implement the necessary technical training. Acquiring all
necessary certificates and certifications to obtain legal recognition is also important. Seed distribution
should also be planned and establishing or strengthening relationships with such key institutions as the
National Union of Seeds should not be overlooked.
To better market local products, the Union will focus its reorganization on finding and/or strengthening
partnerships to improve access to markets, for example Afrique Verte for grain markets but also with
processors and other influential actors on market linkages. Certain financial aspects will also be dealt
with in accordance with the goal of having a mutual funding (opening a bank account, guarantee fund,
etc.). Efforts will also be made to give the Union better visibility, in particular in the market.
Finally, in relation to transforming the Union into a Federation, it was agreed to start reorganizing the
Union and the groups by value chain and to increase efforts to meet legislation requirements, which
would then allow legal recognition of the future federation. Awareness building and appropriate
training will also be implemented while necessary affiliations will be established.
Table 9. Partners’ perspectives vis-à-vis the Tien-Tieetaa Union (bilateral consultations) Cont.Other possible partnerships:- The town of Dissin is ready to provide support to the Union with a campaign to raise public awareness for new members
- District technical services can assist the Union in production techniques (e. g. veterinary services and bio-digester for
methane gas, electricity and compost) - Afrique Verte may accompany and support the Union in restructuring its marketing and setting up cereal banks
- The Dreyer Foundation offers to cooperate with the Union to let it have use of its rice huller
- The Caisse Populaire de Dissin could assist the Union in loan management through a “win-win” Memorandum of
Understanding