CHFI works to help individual villages drastically reduce poverty and hunger. Our process which results in long-term agricultural productivity, involves the people of each village every step of the way. The CHFI process consists of:
Selecting C-Villages and Establishing Strong C-Villager Associations (C-VA)
CHFI selects each “C-village” we partner with based on its history of hunger and poverty. Before a C-village begins to work with CHFI, it must have a well-organized and functional association of villagers. We help to form and strengthen a C-Villagers’ Association (C-VA) that implements the development programs while CHFI provides financial and technical support.
Establishing and Managing a C-Fund
Each member of a C-VA contributes to the fund of the association, or the C-Fund. The required monthly contribution is set locally according to what members can afford to pay. The C-VA manages the C-Fund and can use it for guaranteed loans, health insurance plans, and local development projects. A self-endowed fund for each community’s development is a major building block for the ownership and sustainability of CHFI programs.
Assessing Needs and Potential
CHFI carries out needs assessment in each C-village prior to the implementation of its short-term and long –term programs. This assessment is conducted in four steps which are (i) “GAP” Analysis, (ii) Priority identification, (iii) Identification of Possible Solution and Growth Opportunities and (iv) Identification of Possible Solution and Growth Opportunities.
Formulating and Implementing Short-Term Program
After identifying basic needs, CHFI works with the C-VA to formulate a short-term relief program tailored to the specific needs of the C-village. CHFI supports the village by organizing donation campaigns and carrying out field relief operations.
Mobilizing and Empowering Rural Communities in Selected C-Villages
The people of each C-village are the most important pillar of its development. CHFI empowers the people of each community to participate in all C-VA decisions. This approach strengthens local ownership over development projects that address the people’s actual challenges and opportunities.
CHFI uses, among others, lessons learned from and the guiding principles of diligence, self-help, and cooperation of Saemaul Undong – a national movement for social development launched in South Korea in 1970. Originally targeted toward the agricultural sector, this movement known as “New Village Movement” soon inspired various aspects of civic and cultural life throughout the nation. The cooperation of communities across the nation rallied round the movement and became the driving force behind Korea’s modernization and rapid economic development. Saemaul Undong is Asia’s most praised agricultural and rural development best practice.
Building Capacity in C-Villages
CHFI strongly believes that rural communities have the potential to contribute substantially to their own development. Communities need support in the form of education and training, skill, awareness, basic infrastructure at each stage of the agricultural commodity value chain, etc. Capacity building in the area of strengthening the mind and good governance is of paramount importance. Training of CVAs so that they can make informed decisions and manage various initiatives is also critical.
Implementing Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Programs
CHFI shares the view that the disappointing performance of agriculture is the single most important cause of hunger, poverty, environmental degradation, poor health and civil strife in Africa. This view is supported by the findings of the International Food policy research Institute (IFPRI) which show that “each one-percent increase in agricultural productivity in Africa reduces by 0.6 per cent the poverty on the continent”.
CHFI also shares the view that agriculture cannot be isolated from rural development and that it is imperative to adopt the principles of “sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD)” if agricultural sector is to be developed.
Tailored to the specific needs of each community, SARD projects address needs in infrastructure, water and sanitation, health, food and nutrition, shelter, energy and education. They also meet the basic nutritional requirements of present and future generations while producing surplus crops to process locally as a source of revenue. Furthermore, SARD projects sustain local workers with sufficient income and decent living and working conditions for all those engaged in agricultural production. Projects also maintain natural resources while minimizing harm to the environment. Most importantly, SARD projects strengthen national agricultural sectors while building villagers’ self-reliance, diligence, and cooperation.
