The Agriculture Based Cluster (ABC) model of Farming

 The Agriculture Based Cluster (ABC) model of Farming is a strategic approach used to enhance the collaboration, innovation, and competitiveness of farming and processing enterprises. It’s particularly suitable for regions like Africa, where most landholders are small, with more than 70% of holdings measuring up to one hectare or less¹. 

Here’s an overview of the ABC model:

1. Cluster Development:

   • This approach involves directing funds and resources to build groups of small landowners collectively. It creates horizontal and vertical linkages between local agricultural enterprises, which then get linked to facilitating agencies like local government and NGOs¹.

2. Advantages of Agri-based Clusters:

   • Concentration of resources and funding in specific areas with high development potential.
   • Enhanced collective capacity of merged small and marginal landholdings.
   • Division of responsibilities, where the collective supplies inputs and markets the products, while individual farmers focus on production¹.

3. Promotion of Specific Crops:

   • The model promotes on-farm productivity and the production of specific marketable agricultural crops and products based on those crops¹.

4. Increased Marketing Capacity:

   • Through the cluster approach, the overall marketing capacity of the cluster increases, benefiting all members involved¹.

5. Implementation of RUAIPP Strategy:

   • The ABC model assists in the implementation of the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) strategy through mobilization, identification, engagement, and empowerment of farming communities¹.

6. Mindset Change and Income Generation:

   • The ABCs are about changing mindsets, bringing farmers together to generate higher income, and building generations of wealthy individuals¹.

7. Supporting Innovation and Globalization:

   • The model supports innovation, globalization, internationalization, localization, and competitiveness of agro-based clusters¹.

The ABC model is a cheaper and more affordable means of farming that brings life to rural and urban agriculture using the power of social capital and networking farming communities. It’s a sustainable approach to addressing the higher-income needs of marginalized farming families in Africa and other developing countries¹. By leveraging synergies and collective efforts, the ABC model aims to promote sustainability and improve the competitiveness of farmers, contributing to food security and enhancing the socio-economic conditions of the region².