new credit line for Bolivian beans- and sesame producers
ASOPROF (Asociacón Nacional de Productores de Frejol) is the most important organisation of small scale and midsized beans and sesame producers in Bolivia. The organisation works in the regions surrounding Santa Cruz, Sucre, Cochabamba and Tarija. ASOPROF represents thirty percent of the Bolivian bean industry and fifteen percent of its sesame production.
Members
ASOPROF has 887 members with over 4500 acres of production land. Its members are united in twelve local associations. ASOPROF provides technical assistance and support when making their production more suitable to the market. 95 percent of the production is exported. ASOPROF has installations for selection and cleaning the products. The added value can therefore improve for the farmers. ASOPROF does its own research and gives legal advice to its members. They have a direct say in all of ASOPROF's managerial organs and share in the profit.
Loan
ASOPROF wanted a loan from Oikcredit to add to their working capital. However, the organisation had insufficient securities. Because a loan would have a very positive impact both socially and economically for the members of the producers' organisation, ICCO has provided a credit guarantee. Oikocredit has provided a loan for a maximum of five years. ASOPROF can now use this credit line from Oikocredit, in whichever way it wishes to do so.
