Local Sourcing

Local Sourcing

AIF’s ability to source from smallholder programs allows it to contribute significantly to the local economy, build capacity in farmers to meet standards of large manufacturing firms, and builds capacity at the root level.

15K

Metric tonnes sourced from Rwanda in 2020

45K

Rwandan farmers sold their maize to AIF in 2020

<5%

Percentage that Aflatoxin rejections reduced to.

32.3K

Metric tonnes sourced from Rwanda and East Africa in 2022.

90K

Rwandan and Regional farmers sold their maize to AIF in 2022.

<5%

Percentage that Aflatoxin rejections reduced to.

AIF’s Annual Needs

Every year, AIF needs nearly 40,000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize and 14,000MT of soybean. To ensure food safety, we only buy the highest quality maize and soybean.

Local Sourcing Target

To improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to rural development, AIF’s target to buy 100% of its maize and soy locally. Significant progress has been booked as AIF currently sources just over 50% of its maize locally.

Innovative Sourcing Model

Furthermore, together with our partners we introduced “the cob sourcing model”. This model has replaced traditional post-harvest practices in Rwanda and involves buying maize cobs instead of maize grain.

Post-Harvest Process

AIF currently buys fresh cobs from farmers and threshes and dries these at multiple centres across Rwanda using professional equipment. This model speeds up the post-harvest period from a few weeks to just several days and in doing prevents mold and aflatoxin contamination. The farmers are not charged for this service, meaning their post-harvest expenses are virtually eliminated.

Wide Farmer Network

Overall AIF sources maize and soybean from over 90,000 farmers in Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, DRC, and Kenya. In Rwanda alone, AIF sources directly from 45,000 farmers.

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