What is CFS?
Commercial Farmers of South Sudan, commonly referred to as “CFS,” is a South Sudanese entity owned by the farmers through their registered farmers’ associat-ions.
What is CFS’s Legal Status?
CFS has all the proper operating licenses and registrations at the national, state and county levels where it operates. It will only operate in those states and count-ies where it is officially recognized and licensed.
What is CFS’s Area of Operations?
At the present time, CFS operates in four counties: Ezo, Tambura (Tambura State) and Ibba, Maridi (Maridi State). It is headquartered at the Nzara Industrial Complex in Nzara county (Gbudue State).
How Does One Join CFS?
Individual farmers cannot join CFS, but must do so through their cooperative society or group. In turn, these societies and groups must register with the county gov-ernment and the local union. Once with the union, the society (and hence the farmer) is a member of CFS.
What Services or Benefits Does CFS Offer the Farmers?
The principal benefit of joining CFS is that it affords farmers collective bargaining in order to get the best prices for their pro-ducts. The services offered by CFS are those that individual farmers would find difficult to do on their own. This includes, but is not restricted to:
a) finding markets for the produce;
b) implementing internationally recogniz-ed standards for quality of product, bagg-ing, stitching, fumigation and storage;
c) transport to central warehouses from collection points; and
d) negotiation with buyers outside the local areas.
Security of the product is also provided by CFS, but CFS also expects the farmers to contribute to security especially at the initial collection points.
How Much Does CFS Buy the Farmers’ Stock For?
CFS, being farmer-owned, does not buy any product from the farmers and does not operate as a middleman. There is no profiteering! CFS sells the stock collectiv-ely on behalf of the farmers and all proc-eeds go to the farmers after legitimate business costs have been paid.
What Products is CFS Selling for the Farmers?
Presently CFS is handling the sale of maize and sorghum only. As CFS’s position strengthens, it will expand the range of agricult-ural goods to include peanuts, legumes and other commercially viable products that the markets might be demanding.
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What is CFS’s Structure?
CFS works at the grassroots level through payam chiefs and mobilizers, who in turn report to the county coordinators. All staff in the various counties are locally hired.
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How is CFS Managed?
CFS is managed on an “outsourced” basis by Hybrid Business Management Services. Hybrid provides the expertise in a variety of areas that frees CFS from certain administrative burd-ens, thus allowing it to focus exclusively on agricultural activi-ties and farmer needs.
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Who are CFS’s Partners?
CFS was able to organize and be established only through the enthusiastic support and efforts of national, state and county authorities.