The USAID WINNER Project aims to improve the living conditions of people in the Cul-de-Sac and Matheux corridors, and to expand agricultural production through a value chain approach that fits into the Feed the Future Initiative of President Obama. The project focuses on four food crops: maize, rice, beans, and plantains. WINNER introduces and disseminates technical innovations to modernize Haitian agriculture, bolster agricultural productivity, and increase farmers’ incomes, all while protecting the environment and stabilizing upstream areas.
The project works with more than 60,000 farmers to implement broad-based agricultural campaigns, rehabilitate rural infrastructures, carry out large soil conservation activities, and link farmer organizations to buyers and markets. Farmers’ yields have more than doubled in most cases through improved access to irrigation water and inputs, proximity extension services and training, and mechanized land preparation.
Mobile money services have been introduced in Haiti to provide farmers with a convenient and secure way to manage their finances. The two main mobile money services in Haiti are Tcho Tcho Mobile and T-Cash. Tcho Tcho Mobile is offered by Digicel with their bank partner Scotia Bank, while T-Cash is offered by Voila with their bank partner Unibank. Both services allow users to deposit cash into their mobile wallets, which are then converted to electronic money.
The mobile money ecosystem in Haiti has undergone significant changes in recent years. In 2010, WINNER introduced SMS services to provide technical and market information to farmers in remote rural areas. In 2012, Digicel acquired Voila, and is currently developing its strategy for a future single mobile money platform. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have used both T-Cash and Tcho Tcho to deliver cash transfers and food vouchers to their beneficiaries as part of their humanitarian relief programs.
Lessons learned around the world through USAID-funded projects have shown that mobile banking and mobile money can help small farmers in many ways. Farmers receive loans and make payments more easily, input suppliers have an easier way to collect and manage payments from smallholders, and large buyers can pay thousands of small farmers faster and manage any credit they offer to suppliers. Mobile money also increases the reliability and efficiency of voucher services offered by the government and/or donors.
The feasibility study of mobile money for WINNER-assisted farmers aims to assess the potential of mobile money to improve the financial lives of farmers in Haiti. The study focuses on the feasibility of mobile money, financial transaction costs and activities, awareness and usage of mobile money, and the potential benefits of mobile money for farmers. The study also provides recommendations for the implementation of mobile money services for WINNER-assisted farmers.
The survey sample for the study consisted of WINNER rice campaign farmers, who were selected based on their participation in the campaign. The survey design and farmer sample were used to gather information on farmers’ financial needs and challenges. The survey results showed that farmers face significant financial challenges, including limited access to credit and high transaction costs.
The study found that mobile money is a feasible option for WINNER-assisted farmers, with the potential to improve their financial lives. The study also identified several challenges and limitations of mobile money, including high transaction costs, limited access to mobile money services, and the need for further education and training on the use of mobile money.
The implementation strategy for mobile money services for WINNER-assisted farmers involves several key steps. First, a pilot project will be implemented to test the feasibility of mobile money services for farmers. Second, a mobile money agent network will be established to provide farmers with access to mobile money services. Third, farmers will be educated and trained on the use of mobile money services. Finally, the mobile money services will be monitored and evaluated to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency.
The study recommends that the WINNER project proceed with a pilot project to test the feasibility of mobile money services for farmers. The pilot project will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of mobile money services for farmers, and will inform the development of a larger-scale mobile money program for WINNER-assisted farmers.