Supporting other financial institutions
Rabo Development's activities are not limited to the partner banks only. It also provides banking
know how to other banks through banking advisory projects. One of the largest projects
running in 2013 at a non-partner bank is in India.The project objective is to revitalize the rural
cooperative banking network in the state of Andhra Pradesh, which will benefit the bank's
customers and contribute to the system's financial sustainability.
In China, Rabo Development has been working on several projects. It has, for instance, provided
technical assistance to Longjiang Bank, focusing on financing Chinese farmers and on outreach
in rural areas by employing virtual channels. In Peru, Rabo Development has assisted Agrobanco
in developing a strategic business plan for the next 5 years. Agrobanco aims to transform from a
bank specialized in extending credit to the agricultural sector into universal retail bank offering
basic financial services, not only to farmers, but to the rural population in general.
Strengthening food agriculture value chains
A large part of Rabo Development's activities are focused on the sustainability of value chains
in the agricultural sector. The activities include: (I) strengthening the organisation of local
cooperatives, (II) supporting agricultural departments of (partner) banks and (III) advising food
agri businesses on value chain development. In the ideal situation, these three come together
in one project. For example in Rwanda, where Rabo Development - supported by Rabobank
Foundation - strengthened the local rice cooperatives and supported local partner bank BPR
with the development of a financing concept for rice cooperatives. ICM (an Australian rice miller
based in Rwanda and client of BPR) provided off-take guarantees to these cooperatives thereby
providing a secure market for the coops and increasing the supply of rice to its mills.
In addition to working with its partner banks in the area of agri finance, Rabo Development
started assisting Chase Bank in Kenya in agricultural financing and in Ethiopia it is working on
improving financing of the coffee sector. Nigeria is interesting, because it has the largest and
fastest-growing population in Africa.The UN expects that by 2050 Nigeria has a larger population
than the US.This puts enormous pressure on agriculture productivity. Rabo Development is
working together with Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to improve financing to the agricultural sector.
At the same time, it is advising the World Bank in the design of a national Guarantee Fund for
the agricultural sector.
Human Resources and capacity building
In 2013, Rabo Development deployed short-term banking specialists for a total of approximately
95 (150) man-months, for projects at partner banks and non-partner banks. Moreover, at year-end
2013, 21 (20) managers and long-term consultants were seconded by Rabo Development to
work at these banks. For both the short- and long-term consultants and managers, the partner
banks provide meaningful international experience that enriches their careers. Aside from
all training provided to (partner) banks locally, Rabo Development also organizes training
programs and study tours in the Netherlands for staff from partner banks and non-partner
banks. Each year, for example, talented employees of the banks are invited for an extensive
'Talent program', allowing these employees to return to their banks with a wealth of best
practice knowledge.
You can read more on this in the sustainability report.
Leading food and agri bank at international level
