USAID COUNTRY MISSIONS AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS

PFID—F&V is a leader with associate cooperative agreement mechanism for USAID Mission and Regional Program buy-in. Michigan State University (MSU) leads this public/private sector partnership that focuses on the Fruit and Vegetable sector to improve quality and safety standards in the context of a global marketplace. Three program objectives contribute to this goal:

• Profitable, sustainable market opportunities identification and construction;
• Institutional capacity strengthening to ensure sustainable supply of high value products; and
• Systematize information on agrifood market development made available to the public.

MSU brings a number of nationally-recognized programs to this partnership, including the Institute for Food and Agricultural Standards, the Institute for Food Laws and Regulations, the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, and the School of Packaging, among other leading programs located on the university campus. MSU also partners with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), TechnoServe and Care International. PFID—F&V supports the development of productive alliances among food retailers and brokers, small-scale producers, host country governments and other key stakeholders in the F&V supply chain to create win-win outcomes for all.

• Foster a demand-led strategy for agricultural development;
• Increase local, regional and global market participation of small-scale farmers;
• Give a voice to small-scale farmers by establishing effective farmer organizations;
• Improve regulatory and policy systems;
• Provide short and long-term training on food and agricultural standards, laws and regulations;
• Create rural and urban jobs in a growing agrifood sector;
• Encourage sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment;
• Improve national health by upgrading the safety and quality of the food supply;
• Ensure that women and minorities have an opportunity to participate in the growing market and share in the benefits of development more equitably;

Missions benefit from fast project approval through the "Leader-with-Associates Award" process. Products and service developed by the Leader Award (marketing contacts, training approaches, market trends analyses, etc.) can serve as a launching pad for custom-designed Mission-supported associate awards. USAID operating units with active associate awards include the regional programs for Central America (CAP) and Southern Africa (RCSA), as well as the country missions in India, Nicaragua and South Africa.

USAID Contact: Carol Wilson Phone: 1-202-712-0506 or cawilson@usaid.gov

MSU Contact: Hamish Gow Phone: 1-517-432-2214 or hgow@msu.edu