key achievements of the voucher system...key achievements of the voucher system 2. building...

Key Achievements of the Voucher System

1. Independence

Agricultural and fishery production by smallholders

Implemented by SOS Sahel Sudan; Lead by SOS Sahel UK; Funded by the European Commission; 1st December 2013 to 30th November 2018

The Agricultural and Fishery Production by Smallholders Project did things differently. In an area where populations were chronically

dependent on aid, the project asked people to financially contribute to that aid through a voucher system. Rather than providing inputs

for free, beneficiaries were linked with the private sector and contributed a proportion of the price of an input, the rest being paid by the

project. The voucher system was combined with intensive and practical training for all beneficiaries involved in the project. This way of

providing aid was new to communities and while it took a significant amount of time for people to trust the project, by the end of the five

years significant attitude changes had taken place. By giving people an active role in the investment into their livelihoods, it created a

significant level of independence not seen before. Dependency on aid turned to ownership, pride and self-reliance.

Three years into the project, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Mabrook told us “I had two boats

before but I was considering selling them as I couldn't afford to maintain them. With the help

of SOS Sahel I have improved both boats and I now rent a third. I have been able to buy

engines, ice boxes and fishing gears thanks to the project, and I plan to buy a GPS system in the

future. This will improve my catch even more, as I will be able to find good fishing ground, even

at night... With my improved income I have been able to build a new home for myself and my

family.” Two years later, when the above photo was taken, Abdul Rahman told us he owns four

boats and has bought a tuk-tuk. The contribution he made towards new technologies paid off;

inputs such as GPS and Fish Finders helped him to improve his catch by an incredible amount,

and along with ice boxes and training on on-board and off-board handling, he has improved the

quality of catch to the market and increased his income more than significantly.

Whilst the project has certainly improved incomes of all beneficiaries, the stark financial success of Abdul Rahman may not be replicated

by all of his fisher friends to the same level, but the pride, ownership and motivation to invest is now widespread. The success has grown

beyond the scope of the project and the independence seen by fishing and farming communities will have a longer-term impact than any

financial gain ever could.


2. Building Relationships A key part of the growth of independence that was seen throughout the project came from building

relationships. Fishermen and Farmers in rural areas who were previously quite isolated grew their

professional networks as a result of the project. The most important relationship formed was between

producers and private sector suppliers. The project indirectly strengthened the private sector in and

around Port Sudan significantly; with an increase in demand, shops expanded and new ones opened. The

project chose to work with those with the best reputation and biggest capacity to supply the required

inputs. By building direct contact with the private sector into the project design, the impact became more

tangible, long-term and sustainable. Fisher and farming communities were able to build familiarity with

what is available and where, therefore boosting their confidence and negotiating power. This contributed

significantly to the attitude change and increase in independence, ownership and self-reliance.

Ahmdoon shop in Port Sudan

Mohammed (standing third from the left in the top photo) is the representative of a group of fishermen in Arem—a fishing site near

Suakin Port. He explained to us that “fishermen in this area did not have engines on boats so they used ores, but were unable to go far

enough. They could only get engines from merchants and middle men in exchange for selling their catch cheaply. Now they have engines

and ice boxes, purchased through the voucher system. Most importantly, now they can get a good market price for their fish.” This

relationship with middle men is important; fishermen and farmers have more negotiating power because of the project. They have

improved quantity and quality of produce, and have a direct relationship with suppliers. Therefore they are no longer at the beck and call

of middle men, and have the power to demand a better deal.

The project has helped build up professional networks—with suppliers, the bank, technicians etc. They know who to go to when their

engine needs repairing, or where to purchase a new ice box. Importantly, relationships with government has also improved –government

teams were conducting extension services throughout the project, and their role within the community has increased massively. These

professional relationships will help to build long-term impact and sustain the community's independence that has grown throughout the

project.




3. Organising the Community



With an aim of increasing access to and use of services, such as formal credit and financial services, the project helped to organise

communities. This organisation came in the form of associations, where groups of producers would formally register with the

government, as well as more casual organisation around accessing the project services.

Grouping together and getting organised gave communities a louder voice. Each organisation elected a representative, who negotiated

prices, and organised, negotiated and distributed contributions. By having meetings and open discussions, each member of the group

understood and had a say in the price of inputs and their contribution. All members are involved in making decisions, and working

together to improve their livelihoods—whether that is lobbying the government for improved services or having a greater negotiating

power when buying inputs or arranging financial credit.

Whilst women are heavily involved in the farming sector, they were previously rarely engaged in the fishery sector. Since the project,

women have started engaging; they have set up a Fishermen’s Friends Association, with 206 members. Rowda (middle of above photo)

explained “men already had an association, and so we thought about starting one just for women”. The association makes fishing nets

and tools, and has set up a fish restaurant with support from the project. All income goes back into the association and the women.

Through this mechanism, women in fishing communities are getting more of a voice, and slowly engaging more in economic activities.

As the project went on, women were beginning to realise that there was a space for them and an opportunity to organise. The first

women's only farmers association was registered and has sought support from the bank and ministry of agriculture; they purchased a

tractor through the voucher system with a 30% subsidy from the project.

The project has helped provide small producers with long-term assets that will remain long into the future. But beyond it has helped

small producers, and particularly women, find a louder voice. It has helped them to practice good governance and many groups now have

revolving funds and a bank account. While some producers are hesitant to officially register as an association with the government, most

are nonetheless organised and working as a group to negotiate prices or lobby for better services.


4. Sustainable Change



When reviewing the successes of the project, one of the most positive aspects is that the change seen is sustainable and will have very

long-lasted impacts.

Discussing the project with fisherfolk in Suakin town, it was clear that a new generation of fishermen were engaging in the livelihood.

They described ‘university graduates’ and ‘graduates of the sea’ - now both working within the same livelihoods. When the project

started, there was a belief that the fishery sector was dying out, with new generations having little interest in traditional ways of life and

often migrating for work. But now, young people have seen the financial benefit that their fathers, uncles and friends are reaping. The

new technologies like GPSs and Fish Finders are now commonplace because of the project and this has helped to entice young people

into fishing. Mohammed, pictured above, has recently graduated from university; he has a boat, engine and GPS system purchased

through the project and goes deep water fishing. With young people becoming more involved, not just in the fishery sector, but also in

farming, the impact of the project on these livelihood is likely to live on in future generations. Women are also gaining a greater voice in

these sectors, and slowly change is happening. As Jemani, the leader of Suakin Fisherman Association (below), said: ““Real change, it’s

true. You cannot hide the sun with your hands”

The most significant long-term change will be the change in attitude that has

happened as a result of the project. When talking to the beneficiaries, they are no

longer asking for things, but rather telling us what they have done for themselves.

They now have agency and a desire to push themselves forward. As Jemani put it,

“six years ago, we had no table, no chairs and no meeting… Now look at us sitting

here. Step by step we have changed… We are happy. But desire has no limit. We

want to go higher and higher. We want to train our new generations to take

over… Dreaming is so important. We sleep to dream. No one can stop us

dreaming.”

key achievements of the voucher system...key achievements of the voucher system 2. building...

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