Since 2009, the Economic Growth Project, designed to support USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative in Senegal, has been focusing on achieving large-scale improvements in production, sales and food security for three value chains – rice, maize and millet. Relief International (RI) has been leading the way in the capital access activities for collectives of small-holder farmers. RI is doing this by increasing access by small-holder farmers to financing, working to improve the overall financial environment for this sector, and developing and adapting new financial products with lending institutions. Thus far these efforts helped mobilize over $30.6 million in production and commercialization credits as well as increase bank lending, with 9,138 loans issued. RI strategic focus and expertise on loans and credit mobilization is increasing the level of production and thus augmenting farmers’ income.
