| | | Agriculture: Oikocredit’s strategic focus area bears fruit Agriculture is one of Oikocredit’s four areas of strategic focus given its particular benefit to the incomes and quality of life of farmers and their families. It has been three years since we announced we would invest more in agricultural financing. A good time to take a look at some of the success stories.
This edition features the work of four Oikocredit agricultural partners in different continents which are bringing lasting benefit to rural communities. It also presents figures for Q3 2016 and introduces our new credit director, Hann Verheijen. | | | | | Introducing our new credit director Hann Verheijen started as credit director of Oikocredit International on 1 October. In the interview he talks about what motivates him, his experience as director of Oikocredit Netherlands, and his vision for his new role. | | | | | | Working with local producers Greenforest Foods Ltd, a Kenyan producer of honey and nuts, is helping to revitalize the local economy by sourcing from local farmers. CEO Athanas Matheka explains his pioneering approach to peanut farming. | | | | | | Supporting Rwanda’s coffee sector Rwanda’s coffee sector is booming and positively impacting the lives of many smallholder farmers. Rusizi Specialty Coffee works with 2,000 farmers and three coffee cooperatives to produce high-quality coffee. | | | | | | Desert land blooms again SEKEM, our agricultural partner in Egypt, has engaged in organic farming at the edge of the desert for almost forty years. Some of our investors are visiting SEKEM this week to learn more about the organization. | | | | | | Oikocredit facts & figures Our facts and figures for the 3rd quarter of 2016 include capital outstanding, total number of partners and countries where we invest as well as an overview of our funding by type, region and sector. | | | | | | About the header image Pictured is Todor Milano, a mechanic and member of the production consumer cooperative Iskra in Morava (Bulgaria). It produces a variety of crops on its members’ plots and provides agro-technical services. | | | | | | |
