Project

The power of cash and time for a living income in African farming households

Is there any scientific evidence that a combination of money transfers, weekly coaching and monitoring actually improves the lives of African farmers? And how can you encourage African farmers to structurally stay out of poverty when money and training material is available for two years?

These questions were put to WUR's Science Shop by 100WEEKS, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that offers women in Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana and Ivory Coast a money transfer of €8 per week for a period of 100 weeks. In addition to the weekly money transfers, 20 women per group receive a weekly training and coaching session. Various topics are discussed during these sessions. All women are also asked to complete a weekly financial diary in order to increase financial literacy and insight. Is this approach effective compared to other initiatives? What can 100WEEKS improve? And how can the measurement of impact be improved?

The founders of 100WEEKS believe in 'learning by doing', but also need more scientific knowledge about the potential role of the 100WEEKS curriculum within supply chains, to improve agricultural practices and livelihoods of farmers in Africa. They notice that the private sector is increasingly interested in innovative sustainability programs upstream in the supply chain (farm-level innovations) and want to be ready for the future. The Science Shop has taken up this challenge.

You can download the synthesis report of the project at Research@WUR.

Intermediate products

Motivational factors

A group of Acadamic Consultancy Training studends created an advisory and a research report about incorporating motivational factors into agricultural training programmes for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Effective trainings

A group of Acadamic Consultancy Training studends created an advisory and a research report about delivering effective and efficient trainings in cocoa
farming, towards a living income.

Measuring poverty

A master student from International Development Studies researched a five-dimensional framework for measuring poverty in the context of multifaceted cash transfer programs.

Top-down or Bottom-up?

A master student from International Development Studies worked on defining the best approach for agricultural training programs provided to coffee farmers on the Mount Elgon in Uganda.

Agroforestry paradox

A master student from International Development Studies researched the paradox of the popularity of tree planting interventions in Rwanda, with a call for the integration of indigenous agroforestry.

Participation

A master student from International Development Studies researched the evolution of participatory approaches for agricultural development