What is AgriPool?

Agriterra offers expert advice to farmers’ organisations in the areas of organisational strengthening, economic initiatives and lobbying. Agriterra does this by relying on the expertise of the members and employees of farmers' organisations.

Under the name of AgriPool, Agriterra is able to actually realise the international cooperation “from farmer to farmer”.

Besides those persons who are part of AgriPool, personnel from agri-agencies, consultants, trainees, and volunteers are mobilised in order to provide advisory services to farmers' organisations.

Agriterra receives many requests for providing advice and assistance in a variety of subjects. Assistance is often requested in the area of internal organisation, for example the provision of services to members, leadership training, writing up business plans, commerce, carrying out directed lobbying activities and specific activities for women and the youth, and finally the more technical aspects surrounding agricultural work.

How does it actually work?

Agriterra's liaison officers are the ones responsible for developing the trajectories, which include those aspects that the organisation wishes to improve. This liaison officer is also the one who determines whether or not a mission is called for, and who the most suitable person is to conduct it.

The liaison officer discusses closely and defines together with the organisation, and if necessary also with the experts, what the objectives of the mission are. An advisory mission takes an average of 10 days.

During the mission, Agriterra covers the travel and accommodation costs, and depending on the type of mission (exchange, advisory, representative, training or traineeship), Agriterra disburses a fee, which takes the form of a daily allowance. The type of mission is determined at the beginning of the mission cycle.

Due to the fact that Agriterra works in a demand-oriented manner, it is not able to predict how often a mission to which you qualify might take place. Even though it may take some time, we ask for your understanding and for you to remain available for when a mission that is suitable to you is offered.

What do we expect from you?

What we expect from you during a mission is to have an open mind and to become involved. Moreover, you will write a report, together with other potential participants in the mission, in which you describe your findings, observations, and recommendations. At the same time, Agriterra asks the AgriPool experts to actively spread the mission and the vision of Agriterra in your country. Finally, we also ask you to share the results and the experiences gathered during the mission, inside your own organisation. For example, you may do this by organising an evening to discuss a subject, by communicating through news(papers), or by holding a lecture in your organisation.