WeRATE is built upon a common understanding that isolated farmer groups and local NGOs cannot satisfy the expectations of their clients unless they work together to exchange ideas and opportunities. This realization was slow to emerge as local organizations were often territorial and secretive, believing it was in their best interest to seek and work with sponsors independently. It was the emergence of umbrella organizations, such as WeRATE that demonstrated the advantages of collective action to these smaller local groups. For example, WeRATE members interviewed in February 2015 declared: ‘WeRATE has helped in facilitation, training and dissemination of how to use technologies and value addition’; ‘Value addition such as processing has empowered women to earn money, WeRATE has also opened up markets in Nairobi and villages’ (Appendix 6.2).