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Oikocredit International Newsletter
September 2015

Supporting sustainable agriculture

With smallholder farmers being among the world’s lowest-income earners, agriculture has formed an important part of Oikocredit’s strategic investment focus for many years. In late 2013, Oikocredit announced that it would increase investments in agriculture, establishing a dedicated agricultural unit. Since the unit’s inception in January 2014, it has worked hard to increase its support to this valuable sector, which faces hardships such as the impacts of natural disasters, strong competition and the effects of climate change. Oikocredit’s approach is to invest in sustainable agricultural enterprises, which not only contribute to economic development, but also respect natural resources.

In this edition you will find an interview with Oikocredit’s global head of agriculture, Frank Rubio, an article about a coffee partner visit in Rwanda, an update on organic sugar producer Manduvirá as well as a story on how partners in the Philippines receive training for natural disasters. We have also included a link to download an impact evaluation study on Egyptian agriculture partner SEKEM, as well as this quarter’s facts and figures and latest deals.  

International News

Meeting the demand for sustainable agri-business

The world’s growing world population and the effects of climate change are putting pressure on land and natural resources. Now, more than ever, low-income countries require investment in agriculture. Oikocredit’s global head of agriculture, Frank Rubio, explains Oikocredit’s role in investing in sustainable agricultural enterprises.

Read the interview

Oikocredit International facts & figures

Oikocredit’s facts and figures for the second quarter of 2015 have been published. This also includes two stories about our latest deals in Central America. In Q2, we disbursed a loan to a cooperative bank in El Salvador to finance micro and small entrepreneurs, and in Mexico we provided a loan to a fair trade and organic honey producer.

Facts and figures

Partner stories

Coffee and reconciliation in Rwanda

Earlier this year, investor relations and social performance director, Ging Ledesma, visited Rwandan coffee producer, Rusizi Specialty Coffee. Ging shares her experience visiting the country office as well as the impact this new partner is making on its community.

Read more

Future bright for Manduvirá’s refinery

In early 2014, Paraguayan organic and fair trade sugar producer, Manduvirá, opened its very own sugar refinery. Now, almost 18 months on, the cooperative’s refinery continues to play an important role in the community and international market.

Read more

Preparing for disaster and climate change effects

Natural disasters and the effects of climate change often impact low-income earners and the agriculture sector the most. In the Philippines, some of the worst hit communities have received training from Oikocredit to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

Read more

Impact study on agriculture partner, SEKEM

In 2014, Oikocredit initiated an impact evaluation study on Egyptian partner, SEKEM. The study focusses on the impact SEKEM has on its farmer suppliers. SEKEM was mainly chosen to be studied because it’s a production and services partner and has a holistic business model which fits Oikocredit’s triple bottom line.

Read more

About the image in the header

Women at coffee export company Rusizi Specialty Coffee (RSC) in south-west Rwanda sorting the coffee beans. Oikocredit's loan to RSC is being used to finance the harvest and to buy a new drying mill.

More about the partner

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