Dear RFILC members,

We wish you a pleasant return at the office after the summer holidays and we invite you to take a look at our August newsletter issue that will lead you through new and thrilling publications, training, news and events.

Firstly, we would like to bring to your attention a publication on the UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD Legal Guide on Contract Farming. It provides advice on the entire relationship, from negotiation to conclusion, including performance and possible breach or termination of farming contracts. Contract farming is an agreement between producers and buyers that supports the production of a wide range of agricultural commodities, which can help increase agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of the rural poor. The potential economic and social benefits of the contract farming explains the interest of many domestic policymakers and international organizations in promoting sustainable contract farming models as part of their efforts to achieve food security. The Guide aims to promote a better understanding of the legal implications of contract terms and practices.and more stable and balanced relationships between stakeholders. It provides assistance to parties in designing and implementing sound contracts, thereby generally contributing to building a conducive environment for contract farming.

Secondly, as many of you have expressed an interest in the warehouse receipt, this month we are bringing to you a State Banke of Pakistan publication “Framework for Warehouse Receipt Financing in Pakistan” The objective of the study was to review the existing system of commodity warehousing in Pakistan, the international best practices, legal framework in warehousing and feasibility for development of storage, marketing and post harvest financing system. The study report prescribed policy and regulatory environment supporting the development of Warehouse Receipt system in Pakistan.

Finally, we are happy to announce our second joint webinar with the AgriFin – Agriculture Finance Support Facility, it is a part of the World Bank group, that will take place on September 10th, 2015 at 15:00-16:00 CEST (Rome time). The webinar will feature the Rural Finance and Investment Learning Centre (RFILC) and during this webinar the key features of the RFILC and some of the research and training initiatives currently feeding its content will be discussed. The focus will be on how financial institutions can benefit from using the information disseminated by the RFILC.  To join the webinar, click here.

With best regards,

The RFILC editorial team