Overview of the Session
On 23 October 2025, AgriCord hosted the first session of its Farmer Forest Facility (FFF) webinar series on Access to Finance. The session focused on how sustainable trade and certification requirements influence the market access and financial opportunities of Farmer and Forest Producer Organizations (FFPOs)
Moderated by Kris Goossenaerts (AgriCord), the session opened with welcoming remarks by him as well as Tiina Huvio. Three speakers shared experiences from different contexts and commodities:
- Vivian Roine, Quality and Environmental Specialist expert on sustainable trade and certification (Finland)
- Zacharia Kiputa, representative of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA)
- Festus Bett, representing the National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU) of Kenya
The discussion explored the growing role of certifications such as Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance in determining market access. Speakers emphasized that certifications, while essential for entering premium export markets, pose financial and administrative challenges for the smallholder farmers. Ms. Roine noted that certifications have become “a new baseline standard rather than an added value”.
TAHA – Building Market Readiness in Tanzania’s Horticulture Sector
Mr. Kiputa presented TAHA’s experience supporting Tanzanian farmers in meeting international market requirements through donor-funded capacity building and compliance training. He noted that TAHA members export a wide range of commodities, mainly vegetables, with the EU and UK as their most demanding yet most rewarding markets. Sharing the assessment made by Ms. Roine, he emphasized that certifications are becoming the standard; TAHA has therefore institutionalized certification support as part of its organizational strategy, continuously working to maintain compliance, even though certification does not always guarantee a price premium.
NACCU – Pooled Certification and Sustainable Coffee from Kenya
Mr. Bett presented NACCU’s experience from Kenya, where, in contrast to TAHA, the organization focuses on a single commodity: coffee. He discussed several solutions to make the certification process more accessible and efficient. Farmers use Internal Control Systems (ICS) and pool certification costs at the NACCU level to reduce expenses and maintain compliance. He confirmed that certified farmers receive premiums and better prices through sustainability-linked financing. Beyond the financial gains, certification helps build long-term relationships with buyers and other market actors, strengthening reputation, governance, health, and overall management. For NACCU, these long-term benefits make certification an investment in the resilience and credibility of its members rather than a short-term cost.
During the Q&A, participants discussed how certifications can facilitate access to finance, as they demonstrate reliability and market readiness to financial institutions. The dialogue also touched on the need for capacity building, initial investment, and standardized approaches that reduce complexity without limiting market diversity.
The session concluded with thanks to all speakers and participants, and an announcement of the next webinar in the Access to finance series, which will address Mobilization of Internal and External Funds.
The FAO Forest and Farm Facility is a collaborative initiative that provides financial support and technical assistance to strengthen FFPOs, which represent smallholders, rural women’s groups, local communities, and indigenous peoples. The facility is a partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and AgriCord.