Congrats on the idea! Is it possible for you to develop alliances with major seed producers such as Monsanto, Syngenta or Dow? They could provide for free old or lower technology seeds and potentially also assist with logistics (they may already serve some of there regions) and communication. I guess they would want to advertise and communicate such an interesting social endeavor. Also, in terms of media exposition, are there regional media groups that could be leveraged? This would greatly reduce the effort when you expand to other localities.
Finally, do you also train/ educate farmers on the best use of these seeds? Could you potentially have an alliance with an organic fertilizer company or NGO? in this case you would deliver a pack with all the material needed for sowing
Thanks for the appreciation. Alliance with seed producers in Europe showed to be rather difficult. I guess they fear less sales, although many people confirmed buying more seed packages because they offered their old stock to our action. I take your point about their potentialities to assist with logistics. Question is that our advertisements and communication should have sufficient weight for them. Internet will not be the only platform needed; press, radio, TV would be more attractive for them, but of course more expensive. We intend to grow step-by-step and expand to regional and national branches, first on the basis of "volunteers". Once our network will be established in a number of countries and the number of development projects involved will be high enough, it will become easier to obtain collaboration agreements with the major "players".
Yes, we set up training sessions for local people, in particular about "new" food crops for them. In most cases NGOs are involved in our action and their local responsible people take care of the follow-up. Thanks for your valuable suggestions !
Comments
Congrats on the idea! Is it possible for you to develop alliances with major seed producers such as Monsanto, Syngenta or Dow? They could provide for free old or lower technology seeds and potentially also assist with logistics (they may already serve some of there regions) and communication. I guess they would want to advertise and communicate such an interesting social endeavor. Also, in terms of media exposition, are there regional media groups that could be leveraged? This would greatly reduce the effort when you expand to other localities.
Finally, do you also train/ educate farmers on the best use of these seeds? Could you potentially have an alliance with an organic fertilizer company or NGO? in this case you would deliver a pack with all the material needed for sowing
Good luck!
Thanks for the appreciation. Alliance with seed producers in Europe showed to be rather difficult. I guess they fear less sales, although many people confirmed buying more seed packages because they offered their old stock to our action. I take your point about their potentialities to assist with logistics. Question is that our advertisements and communication should have sufficient weight for them. Internet will not be the only platform needed; press, radio, TV would be more attractive for them, but of course more expensive. We intend to grow step-by-step and expand to regional and national branches, first on the basis of "volunteers". Once our network will be established in a number of countries and the number of development projects involved will be high enough, it will become easier to obtain collaboration agreements with the major "players".
Yes, we set up training sessions for local people, in particular about "new" food crops for them. In most cases NGOs are involved in our action and their local responsible people take care of the follow-up. Thanks for your valuable suggestions !