Boosting white pea bean export Ras Gayint union is situated in Nefas Mewucha district, Gonder Zone, Amhara regional state. The union was founded in the year 2005 with 32, 080 small holder farmers, 21 primary cooperatives, 1,381,000 ETB capital and 7 employees. The union has been enrolled in the capacity building program under C4C in 2013. In response to the 2013, 2014 and 2015 action plans of C4C project a remarkable accomplishments has been stated to be seen both at the union and at PCs level; the member PCs become 36 with the total members of more than 60,699, the capital of the union drastically increased and reached to 8.5 million ( in 2013 the capital was 1,871, 201 birr), the output marketing performances of the union and its PCs has been improved ( the union white pea bean collection capacity has increased from 660 quintal in 2013 to more than 11,000 quintal 2015), for the first time in its history through the support of C4C the union has started to export white pea beans to export market, the internal management as well as relationship with the PCs has been enhanced. However, the union still has some challenges that need improvements; high market price fluctuation for WPB, the area of the union is rich for multiple crops such as chickpea, sunflower, flex and Niger seed, the idea of diversification is yet to be sought, poor WBP cleaning facility, lack of common understanding between the cooperative promotion office and the union, manual accounting system, most of the union’s PC are not managed professional manager and they are not paying divided due lack of proper members transaction data, improper market price information collection and distribution practice, etc.

In 2016, more effort will be exerted to improve the PCs – union and CPO office relationship, optimize the white pea bean supply chain efficiency and effectiveness, diversifying the union business portfolio and improving its capital through internal capitalization. The 2016 C4C action plan will specifically focus on: • Strengthening the union-PCs- members relationship• Developing a five year strategic plan and boost output marketing • Recruiting professional managers for six PCs • Professionalization financial management practice and enroll the union in the Peach tree training trajectory• Raising 3.7 million birr equity capital through internal capital movement • Capacitating the kebele cooperative promoter and support them to improve service of the PC• Improving the white pea bean agronomic practice and starting organic WBP production• Developing market price information collection and recording system• Marketing and branding union products to international buyers• Output marketing target of 18,000 quintal WPB, 6000 quintal Niger seed and 2000 quintal chickpea

Goals of the 2016 action plan are: • Strengthening the union-PCs- members relationship• Developing a five year strategic plan and boost output marketing • Recruiting professional managers for six PCs • Professionalization financial management practice and enroll the union in the Peach tree training trajectory• Raising 3.7 million birr equity capital through internal capital movement • Capacitating the kebele cooperative promoter and support them to improve service of the PC• Improving the white pea bean agronomic practice and starting organic WBP production• Developing market price information collection and recording system• Marketing and branding union products to international buyers• Output marketing target of 18,000 quintal WPB, 6000 quintal Niger seed and 2000 quintal chickpea