Small Farmers – Big Business?

On 16-17 October, the European Commission is hosting EU Development Days, a two-day forum on international affairs and development cooperation that will see Heads of State, Nobel Prize laureates, business leaders, and development professionals meet to discuss some of the global issue that are at risk of slipping down the international agenda in the wake of the economic crisis.

17 October. This panel discussion was split into two parts:

1. Part 1 aimed to provide examples and learn lessons from inclusive business models where public and private sectors, donors and industry, have worked together to help suppliers gain access to, and benefit from, profitable market opportunities and innovative approaches. 
2. Part 2 attempted to identify key messages for donors/governments/companies in terms of policies and partnerships that will leverage private sector investment and engagement towards social and economic upgrading, food security, and sustainable agriculture. 

Panellists
Opening remarks :
- Allert van den Ham (NL), Chief Executive SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
- Guy Stinglhamber (BE), PIP & Coleacp Brussels Office Director
- Mohamed Ibn Chambas (GH), ACP Secretary-General at ACP Group of States

Panel discussion 1: Best practices and lessons learned in Agricultural Development
- Hans-Jürgen Mattern (DE), Vice President Strategic Quality Management, Metro Group
- Michael Anthony (GB), Head of Microinsurance and Food Security, Allianz AG
- Rashid Ally Mamu (TZ), Managing Director, Nyemo Investment Company
- Apollo Owuor (KE), Director for Agriculture and Corporate Affairs, Kenya Horticultural Exporters

Panel discussion 2: Should donor and company policies be revitalized?
-Kristian Schmidt (DK), Director Human Development Department, EU-DevCo
-Stephanie Barrientos (UK), Leader of Capturing the Gains Research Programme
-Frank van Ooijen (NL), Director for Sustainability at dairy multinational Frisland Campina
-Joe Cerrell (US), Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Europe Office
-Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana (CM), Minister of Trade of Cameroon
-Nathalie Olijslager, Head of International Markets, Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Netherlands

For more information on this HLP, please visit: http://www.smallfarmersbigbusiness.org