The Agri-ProFocus network is proud to present its Annual Report 2013. The report provides an overview of our network’s results following the priorities as set in our annual plan. This is the first year of our 4 year strategy (2013 – 2016). Let’s provide a quick glance at these results.

First of all, the network can pride itself in continued growth in terms of activities at country-level, through institutional and professional membership. Participation in a growing number of learning- and business events doubled and so did professional membership, now counting about 9.000. For a network that calls itself a market place, growing and returning partners and contacts are the first signs of effectiveness. In the Netherlands the partnership has profiled itself as both a supporter, implementer and critical follower of the Food and Business policy area.

As promised last year the annual report provides a perspective on the results which are achieved in our network’s sphere of influence answering the question: “What are actors doing with the knowledge and opportunities that are created?”

Highlights

The main achievements of the network in the Netherlands are grounded in a further deepening of the relationship between the membership and the policy context and the relationship with MoFA and MoEA. The Agri-ProFocus policy group and management were also recognised as a valuable discussion partner by members of the Dutch parliament. Input of the policy group was integrated in Private Sector Instruments policy and Food Security related policy.

Agri-ProFocus, together with its partners The Broker and WUR-CDI, was awarded the tender for the secretariat of the Food and Business Knowledge Platform. This will provide further impetus for knowledge exchange in the sector.

Noteworthy at country-level are the development of the Agri-Sector Development Facility (ASDF) by EKN and Agri-Hub Rwanda (2 million Euro annually) and the roll-out in 9 countries of the Agri-ProFocus Finance Fair concept (outreach over 100.000 farmers). Also, the agenda for Agri B2B events – as a joint network service – has taken off positively with subsequent strong private sector growth of the network. Some highlights on country
level are explained in this video.

Results

The results of our networks’ action are the most important. Based on a network wide survey which was completed by 10 % (800+) of the professionals, Agri-ProFocus scores almost 3.3 on a scale of 4 (higher than 2012) in terms of general appreciation.

A score of 3 (on par with 2012) shows that the diverse services (both face-to-face and online) continue to be highly valued. We are very encouraged by these metrics and curious for more.

We hope you keep on supporting and driving our quest for the promotion, co-creating and innovation for farmer entrepreneurship and agri-business linkages!

Download the Agri-ProFocus Annual Report 2013

Download the Annual Plan 2014