Examples of memberships that safeguard the interests of our industry AAK Responsible Growth | 37 Improved conditions for women groups in Burkina Faso In recent years and as a follow up to our project “Kolo Nafaso”, we have monitored the quality of life of the participants as well as the development of the shea trade within the project. Questionnaires were sent out and interviews conducted to gather information. Qualitative interviews conducted in 60 villages in Burkina Faso show that pre-financing helped 84% of the women to fight poverty. The questionnaires also showed that pre-financing increases the women’s independence. They have been able to spend their pre-financing on for instance: Agriculture projects Food Small business Clothes for their children Education of children Other needs of the women and their children Buying medicine Buying wood Below are short extracts from interviews with two women from our shea project conducted by Mads J. Feer, Manager of Sustainability and shea in West Africa. Sankara Bintou, member of the women’s group of Bana Marché for 2 years. What has changed in your life since AAK came with our way of purchasing shea? I found many interesting things with AAK’s way of working. We work directly with AAK and their extension workers. The pre-finances have allowed me not to sell my shea kernels when the price was low. What did your group do with the bonus offered by AAK? The money is put on the account of the group and each member of the group can borrow some money in case of need. Does AAK’s way of working help you to fight poverty? Yes a lot, because we need the money badly at the time of the pre-financing. Ouedraogo Habibou, head of the women’s group of Bana Marché. What did you do with the pre-financing you received? I used the money for inputs in my fields. It has helped me a lot. How much did the bonus paid by AAK help you? We have built a good system now where we put the money of the bonus in a bank account. Each woman in our group can come and borrow money from that account in case of need. Do the women have to pay an interest rate when they borrow money from your account? Yes, If they borrow 5,000 CFA they have to pay back 5,500 CFA Does it work well? Yes, it does. Even if you guys left tomorrow we would have enough funds to have a system that works. What do the women typically do with the money from the loans? They use it for health issues and to buy food. In order to elevate the women’s standard of living further, it is also important to increase the quality of the shea. In order to obtain good quality shea kernels the treatment of the goods is essential. AAK is therefore teaching the participants in the project how to handle the shea kernels from picking to storing. As a result, we can buy shea kernels of better quality which means a bonus for the women – an additional payment at the end of the season. National associations Netherlands Oils, Fats and Oilseeds Trade / NOFOTA Association of Dutch Oil Processing Industries / Vernof Product Board Margarine, Fats and Oils / MVO Confederation of Danish Industry / DI The Association of Danish Oil and Oilseed Processors / ADOP Asociación Nacional de Industriales de Aceites y Mantecas Comestibles / ANIAME Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana / COPARMEX Asociación de Industriales del Estado de Michoacán / AIEMAC The Swedish Food Federation / LI The Swedish Plastics and Chemicals Federation / P&K Seed Crushers’ and Oil Processors’ Association / SCOPA Association of Bakery Ingredient Manufacturers / ABIM Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce / SACC The Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils / ISEO American Fats and Oils Association / AFOA National Confectioners Association / NCA Uruguayan Chamber of Industries / CIU International associations The EU Oil and Proteinmeal Industry / FEDIOL Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Association / FOSFA FoodDrinkEurope European Oleochemicals and Allied Products / APAG National Institute of Oilseed Products / NIOP
AAK Responsible Growth 2012-2013 - UK
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