The FARMA team, complemented by national and international experts and in cooperation with key BiH stakeholders, will work to increase the understanding of market requirements and quality gaps, introduce certifications and standards, improve access to finance, assist the producer/partner organizations in the process of import substitution and help them expand into new international markets. FARMA interventions will cover following areas:

1.  Improving the dairy industry through:

• Increasing production of milk per cow, by improving feed quality and breed selection.
• Increasing profits for milk producers by improving hygienic practices.
• Leveraging USAID’s Development Credit Authority Loan Guarantee Program and other available credit programs to improve the availability of credit to farmers and agriculturally related businesses.
• Organizing study trips to familiarize domestic producers on best practices in areas outlined above, with the objective being technology/practice transfer to BiH.
• Providing appropriate training to farmers and improving their access to technical assistance.

2. Improving the processing industry’s capacities through:

• Developing domestic and international market analyses, including visits to international trade fairs.
• Improving the quality of products to conform to EU standards and requirements.
• Introducing new technologies and innovations in the industry.
• Assisting in product development, design and marketing of final product.

3. Developing capable Extension Services through:

• Educating and training the extension services personnel provide assistance to farmers and processors relevant to their needs.

4. Strengthening capacities of cooperatives, associations and market integrators by:

• Providing assistance to cooperatives, associations and market integrators to obtain loans from commercial banks and other financial institutions.
• Enhancing linkages of cooperatives, associations and market integrators with veterinary and extension services.
• Increasing capacities to certify products and ensure product standardization in accordance with the EU acquis and market demand.

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