Rise of farmers' organizations in Africa; shaping policies for agriculture

The past two decades have witnessed the unprecedented development of farmers’ and rural producers’ organizations throughout Africa. Farmers’ organizations are enjoying growing recognition.

The past two decades have witnessed the unprecedented development of farmers’ and rural producers’ organizations throughout Africa. Farmers’ organizations are enjoying growing recognition as the representatives of the farming community at the national, regional and international levels.

The United Nations declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives,2014 as the International Year of Family Farming and, more recently, 2019-2028 as the Decade of Family Farming. These events acknowledge the invaluable role that farmers’ organizations play in shaping policies for agriculture and sustainable development, providing services to smallholders, generating employment and social integration, reducing poverty and enhancing food security.

Today, there are tens of thousands of grass-roots farmers’ organizations across Africa. Most play a dual role: as producers’ groups or cooperatives they provide services to their members and they represent their members’ interests with other stakeholders, such as agricultural policymakers, business partners and development projects. Many grass-roots farmers’ organizations set up local unions and federations that are linked to national umbrella organizations.

These organizations have established five regional networks in Africa: EasternAfrica Farmers Federation (EAFF); Plateforme Sous-Régionale des OrganisationsPaysannes d’Afrique Centrale (PROPAC); Réseau des Organisations Paysanneset de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA); Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU); and Union Maghrébine et Nord-Africaines desAgriculteurs (UMNAGRI)