FEATURE VIDEO: Acceso Cashew Enterprise
Our new enterprise, Acceso Cashew Enterprise (ACE), will purchase cashew from small farmers and consolidate, deliver and sell directly to high quality buyers such as PepsiCo; this will provide efficient processes to consolidate a fragmented farmer base. We will bring these farmers into a new cashew fruit supply chain and favorably reposition them in the local nut value chain. ACE will also offer an agro-program that will offer training and education on a variety of topics including composting, terracing and pruning as well as provide inputs such as drip irrigation, pesticides and fertilizers. These are the practices that will equip the farmers with the skills and resources they need to increase the productivity and quality of their cashew crop. The economic value of a single tree of cashew can be more than doubled through best agricultural practices and input.
This translates into improved margins and income for the farmer, trader, and most players in the value chain – a win-win situation for both the farmers and buyers as they are delivered consistent supply of superior product which meets strict quality control regulations demanded by high-end markets.
Our Enterprise will effectively remove the typical barriers between smallholder farmers and high-value buyers. By facilitating the sale of cashews to buyers like PepsiCo plus improving the yield and quality of the crop, we can increase farmer income by 2.5X in 5 years. Initially, ACE will bring 2,383 small holder Maharashtra farmers into a new cashew supply chain, and will favorably reposition them in the local nut value chain. In the longer term, ACE aims to scale this impact to 15,000 farmers. 0:54
Who We Are & What We Do
We believe there is great potential to enhance the economic and social benefits of marginalized communities by creating social enterprises in emerging economies and incorporating these individuals into one of our three market driven models – Distribution Enterprises, Supply Chain Enterprises, and Training Center Enterprises. 9:50
Distribution Enterprises
Our Distribution Enterprises close the market gap for last mile distribution by empowering and enabling unemployed and underemployed women in remote communities to create a door-to-door distribution network. Each of these enterprises can be scaled to provide thousands of female entrepreneurs with skills training and income generation opportunities needed to support their families. 5:55
Distribution Enterprises: Beneficiary Story from the Field
Meet one of our beneficiaries, Carina Zavala. Carina is one of the female entrepreneurs from our Chakipi Distribution Enterprise in Apurimac, Peru. Prior to Chakipi, Carina was not able to secure a reliable source of income. As a Chakipi Entrepreneur, Carina is provided with skills training, and consigned products that she sells to remote populations, creating a life-changing impact for her and her family. The Enterprise Partnership plans to scale Chakipi to help thousands more women like Carina. 9:45
Supply Chain Enterprises
Our Supply Chain Enterprises bridge the gaps between regional and international markets and small producers and bring real economic value to supply chains through efficiently consolidating and rapidly developing fragmented producer bases and linking them to quality buyers. 4:22
Acceso Centro de Formacion (Training Center Enterprise)
Our Training Center Enterprises support a range of employability programs aimed at improving the livelihoods for thousands of disadvantaged youth in locations where we feel these enterprises can deliver the greatest impact. We prepare and place youth in quality jobs by providing them with the specific competencies and skill sets that target high-growth sectors of industries that offer quality entry-level positions. 2:27