COOPERATIVE MARKETING PROJECT

THIS IS A PILOT PROJECT TO DEMONSTRATE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, SPECIFICALLY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCERS, THAT AN IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR MARKETING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH A CONCENTRATED DEVELOPMENT EFFORT. MAJOR THRUST OF THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE UPGRADING AND MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING MARKETING SYSTEM OF THE 4 FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SOCIETIES THAT FORM THE UNITED COOPERATIVE SOCIETY (UCS) APEX ORGANIZATION. SIX EGYPTIAN PERSONNEL WILL RECEIVE SHORT-TERM TRAINING, AFTER WHICH THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO POSITIONS IN THE UCS ORGANIZATION. A CADRE OF UCS PERSONNEL WILL ALSO BE TRAINED IN METHODS OF PROCESSING, STORING, AND DISTRIBUTING PRODUCE. ALSO, 4 NEW PROCESSING FACILITIES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED, AND A CAIRO PRODUCE MARKET OFFICE WILL BE ESTABLISHED: NEW MARKETING/DISTRIBUTION TECHNIQUES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES WILL BE PROCURED. PROVEN TECHNIQUES FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES WILL BE INITIATED. A PRODUCTION CREDIT PROGRAM WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE THE UCS WITH FUNDS FOR EXPANSION IN THE PRODUCTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES BY THE PRODUCER-MEMBER, AND A REVOLVING LOAN FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE CREDIT TO SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE FARMERS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA. PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE UCS IN COOPERATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE CAIRO BANK. IBRD PROVIDES A LOAN TO UCS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING REFRIGERATED STORAGE FACILITIES, WAREHOUSES, PACKING LINE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, REFRIGERATED VANS, TRUCKS, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COMMODITIES. BENEFICIARIES ARE THE SMALL PEASANT FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCERS WITH LESS THAN 5 FEDDANS OF LAND.