The supporting Agri-ProFocus Office acts as a 'knowledge and service broker’. In daily practice the office has a facilitating role in helping to bring about cooperative projects, strengthening effective linkages within the network and with the private sector and stimulating exchange and learning.
The office is currently made up of six staff members:
Hedwig Bruggeman, director
"Increased market-oriented thinking means that within development cooperation the focus is also shifting towards economic self-reliance of farmers and their organisations as the motor for sustainable development. The Agri-ProFocus partnership enables us to join forces and to enhance overall effectivity of inputs."
hbruggeman@agri-profocus.nl
Wim Goris, process facilitator
"Through the partnership we are all refocusing our attention on agriculture and farmers. This renewed attention here will lead to more and better support for producer organisations in the south."
wgoris@agri-profocus.nl
Marja Hennemann, management and project assistant
"The Bureau is the hub of the partnership, and it is our job to make sure the partnership functions well. We are there to link answers and questions within the network."
mhennemann@agri-profocus.nl
Roel Snelder, process facilitator
"Improving the position of producers – of farmers and their organisations – that is what matters to us!
This requires a lot from the members of our partnership: exchanging and developing knowledge, learning from each other, smartly combining competencies, and joining in new forms of collaboration. As a process facilitator it is my job to support these efforts, which is exciting and challenging."
rsnelder@agri-profocus.nl
Christel Schiphorst, process facilitator
"Farmers are at the starting point of one of the most essential processes in the world: food production.
Cooperation in the value chain by farmer organizations with a/o the (inter)national private sector ensures the development of entrepreneurial, sustainable and profitable activities by and for all players.
As we are realists, we start by assisting these activities at the basis!"
cschiphorst@agri-profocus.nl
Janno van der Laan, junior process facilitator
"The Agri-ProFocus alliance forms a colourful mosaic of private sector, academic and development professionals seeking to fill all the gaps needed to create an enabling business environment for the entrepreneurial farmer. I am thrilled to be part of this concerted effort in providing a complete and specialized service to farmers in developing countries."
jvanderlaan@agri-profocus.nl
