Working together on
microfinance and microinsurance
microfinance and microinsurance
There is nothing more fascinating than an exchange between like-minded people! In February, BRS sent two farmers’ sons on a mission: Johan Blocquiaux, office manager Agro at KBC, and Danny Pieraets of the BRS Institute. Both benefitting from a history at CERA and a background of cooperative banking. Together with Vincent Monnart from BRS, they visited U-IMCEC in Senegal, a microfinancing institution that focuses on - you guessed it - farmers.
Danny: “U-IMCEC stands for ‘Union des Institutions Mutualistes Coopérative d’Epargne et de Crédit’.”
Johan: “It is a 100% cooperative company, with a head office and four regional agencies, each with its own offices and branches. This is very similar to the former CERA companies with a central office in Leuven.”
Danny: “This cooperative now wants to expand its portfolio of agricultural credits and above all reach more women and young people. Why these groups? To give women the opportunity to feed their families and generate an income. Moreover, women are good payers.”
Johan: “And by involving young people, U-IMCEC’s aim is to familiarise them with microcredits. In doing so they create a mentality of self-reliance that helps them move forward in life.”
Danny: “To achieve this, U-IMCEC is setting up a centre for agricultural credits. They would like support from BRS in this project. Our mission was to find out exactly how we can help them and to get the ball rolling in the meantime.”
Johan: “Our first task involved a detailed introduction. To the activities in the head office, in the agencies and bank branches and with employees in various positions. And with the customers of course, farmers and horticulturists active in the agro-chain. ‘De la fourche à la fourchette’ - from rake to fork - is how U-IMCEC describes its ambition in terms of agricultural funding.”
Danny: “One of those customers was an onion farmer. Proud as can be, she showed us her land and the irrigation system she installed with her credit. This increases her yield, more income, and the chance to grow.”
Johan: “After our field visit, we gave three days of workshops. For regional agency managers and employees from different parts of the bank. And in the presence of CEO Ousmane Thiongane. My contribution was mainly to explain our approach to agricultural credits and how we have evolved in this area. From the story of the Raiffeisenkas and CERA to where we are with KBC today.”
Danny: “Vincent and I focused more on the project approach. How do you define a project? How do you ensure that your assignment is clear to everyone in the organisation? How do you put a team together? And so on. And we also reflected on the credit process, because if they want their credit portfolio to grow, it has to be as efficient as possible. They then translated our input into their own situation.”
Johan: “They were intense working days, but I am very happy that I got to know the Senegalese agricultural sector and was able to share my experience. There was a very warm atmosphere too. It seems to be a universal law that as a farmer’s son you are immediately accepted when you talk to farmers. Because they know you understand their concerns. You are like-minded, across national borders and cultural differences.”
Danny: “Once a farmer, always a farmer, I suppose. Wherever he ends up. The special bond with nature connects you. For me, this work trip was mainly a confirmation of the great value of cooperative thinking. The cooperative is an approach apt for all times, regardless of the circumstances. To everyone’s benefit and always useful. In these modern times too.”
