2014年-世界发展银行全球_Technoserve___Mozambique_Case_Study_16页_1mb

Technoserve Mozambique Case Study Summary

Core Content

Technoserve Mozambique (TnsMz) is a nonprofit incubator that operates within the agribusiness sector, focusing on value-chain development and competitiveness enhancement. It is part of the Technoserve Group (TnsGp), which is a global nonprofit specializing in agribusiness development. TnsMz is based in Maputo and serves the entire national agricultural economy.

Main Points

• Innovative Approach: TnsMz is not a traditional incubator; it works in rural areas where agribusiness activities take place, rather than in centralized facilities. It uses partnerships with industry leaders to train and demonstrate best practices in processing, marketing, logistics, and quality control.
• Target Industries: TnsMz has successfully developed value chains in the cashew, banana, and poultry industries, among others.
• Business Model: TnsMz is described as "Mission Driven, Donor Friendly." It relies heavily on donor funding, with approximately 90% of its revenue coming from donors. It charges for advisory services to ensure only committed clients access its support.
• Strategic Vision: The vision is to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth in rural Mozambique. The mission is to facilitate private sector initiatives that drive job creation and investment in high-growth agribusiness sectors.
• Staffing: TnsMz employs 63 people, divided between support and professional staff. Employees learn through experience and collaboration, and there is a strong alumni network due to the revolving-door policy.
• Network Partners: TnsMz collaborates with industry leaders, associations, and external organizations such as McKinsey and Company and Photo Voices to enhance its impact.
• Funding Sources: TnsMz receives funding from various donors, including USAID, USDA, Gates Foundation, and Irish Aid. The funding has grown over the past three years, with a focus on sustainable and diversified revenue streams.
• Incubation Approach: TnsMz supports 30–40 incubates in value-chain management programs. These incubates are often industry leaders, and they are involved in testing and refining new business models and technologies.
• Achievements: TnsMz has transformed rural economies by introducing cash economies, increasing productivity, and enhancing the competitiveness of agribusiness sectors. It has also helped develop new labor markets and local input markets.

Key Information

Strategic Vision, Mission, and Targets

• Vision: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth in rural Mozambique.
• Mission: Facilitate well-planned and well-implemented private sector initiatives that leverage investment in high-potential agribusiness sectors.
• Targets: Create new labor markets and productive activities, both on and off farms, to benefit the rural poor, who earn less than $1 per day.

Distinctive Features

• Leadership: Selecting the right people for the right roles.
• Financial Systems: Strong financial controls that enable effective operations across rural areas.
• Industry Analysis: Comprehensive analysis of industry participants, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Best Practices Testing: Evaluating product quality, market acceptance, and production processes.
• Policy Advocacy: Working with industry associations to influence regulatory reforms.
• Sector Restructuring: Encouraging mergers and acquisitions to strengthen industry positions.
• Business Model Testing: Conducting multiyear experiments to determine the most effective business models for each industry.

Brand and Market Position

• TnsMz positions itself through word-of-mouth and results.
• It has gained a strong reputation among policy makers, government officials, and investors.
• It has successfully engaged in projects such as the USAID flood relief program, using low-cost loans to help local communities develop forestry skills.

Business Model

• Revenue Sources: Primarily donor-funded, with a small portion from advisory services.
• Funding Growth: Over the past three years, TnsMz has seen a steady increase in funding, with the target budget for 2012 being $8,229,611.
• Donor Engagement: TnsMz has a diverse donor base, including USAID, USDA, Gates Foundation, and Irish Aid.

Current Portfolio Strategies

• Supports 30–40 incubates in value-chain management.
• Each incubate works with 50–100 farm-level organizations, creating a two-tiered incubation system.
• The focus is on behavioral change and integration into more competitive value chains.

Critical Success Factors

Strengths

• Inspiring Leadership: The founder/leader continues to raise expectations and drive innovation.
• Agile and Flexible Organization: Emphasizes opportunity responsiveness and program adaptability.
• Institutionalized Knowledge: Built from repeated successes in solving competitiveness challenges.
• Strong Industry Linkages: Both within and outside Mozambique.
• Government Credibility: Strong relationships with national, provincial, and local officials.
• Policy Influence: TnsMz has developed a process called "value chain federalism" to influence policy.

Weaknesses

• Donor Dependency: Long-term operations rely on continued donor support, which can be uncertain.
• Program Constraints: Donor priorities may limit the scope of TnsMz's activities, such as the use of cutting-edge biotechnology.
• Limited Global Focus: Not sufficiently attuned to global agricultural trends and technologies.
• Financing Limitations: Limited internal capacity to provide seed capital for incubates.

Opportunities

• Mozambique's Agribusiness Potential: The country has favorable natural conditions similar to Chile's in the past.
• Global Agribusiness Interest: Increasing interest from major global agribusiness firms presents new business opportunities.
• Cross-Border Collaboration: Technology transfer and application in rural areas require international partnerships.
• Government Relations: The working relationship with the government is likely to strengthen, enhancing policy influence.

Risks

• Rapid Ecosystem Changes: Mozambique's agribusiness environment is evolving faster than in other SSA countries.
• Public Profile Concerns: Maintaining a low public profile is necessary to avoid risks in policy dialogue and strategic direction.
• Sustaining Growth: Continued donor funding is essential unless TnsMz diversifies its revenue sources.

Lessons Learned and Implications for Agribusiness Incubators

• The founder/leader must trust the organization to operate effectively and independently.
• Continuous innovation and adaptability are crucial for long-term success.
• Strong partnerships with industry leaders and external organizations are vital.
• Donor dependency requires careful management and diversification of funding sources.
• A focus on value-chain strengthening and mid-chain integrators leads to sustainable growth.
• The ability to translate challenges into practical solutions is key to attracting private investment.

Future Goals

• Expand the use of best practices across more industries.
• Develop new for-profit subsidiaries to support agribusiness growth.
• Strengthen policy advocacy and regulatory reform efforts.
• Enhance cross-border collaboration and technology transfer.
• Diversify funding sources to ensure long-term financial independence.

Contacts and References

• Contact: info@infodev.org
• Website: www.infoDev.org
• References:
  • USDA
  • Gates Foundation
  • Ford Foundation
  • Irish Aid
  • USAID (Agri Futuro)
  • Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Conclusion

Technoserve Mozambique has demonstrated significant success in agribusiness development, particularly in the cashew, banana, and poultry sectors. Its innovative, context-specific approach to incubation and its ability to engage with industry leaders and policy makers have made it a model for other Technoserve operations. However, its continued success depends on donor support, strategic flexibility, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing agribusiness landscape.