Members of Africa's sub-Saharan farming community lose 30% to 50% of fruits and vegetables because of inadequate storage. While many programs focus on how to increase food production, HPN will focus on protecting what we already grow. In addition to providing waterproof and pest proof storage, these buildings can serve as a distribution center and/or an indoor market. This programme also contemplates outright ownership of these buildings by smallholder farmers.
HPN's founder and owner, Ian Bennett, is a Wharton MBA graduate who has been involved in the business of agriculture in Africa for 40+ years. He is quick to point out that this is not a "handout" programme. While participating African countries are not being asked to provide any of the funds to deliver and assemble these buildings, they are being asked to remove any import duty and the participating farmers are being asked to provide the land on which these buildings will be erected.
Preliminary talks with foundations have been characterised by surprise that HPN is not interested in grant funding. "Our immediate challenge is to confirm that these buildings are self-funding." If this pilot programme is successful, HPN will seek a renewable credit facility to make it possible to continue delivering these buildings to Africa's farming communities. Countries interested in participating in this program should go to the hpn.africa.com website and click on Host Country Registration.
HPN is the fortunate beneficiary of an Africa.com collaboration. "We are in a unique position to help bring awareness to important projects desiring to reach the continent" said Africa.com CEO, Teresa Clarke.
