African Farmers' Organisations Policy Support

Project completed

Farmers’ organisations have a key role to play in accelerating the transformation of smallholder farming in Africa to achieve food and nutrition security. This intervention aims to strengthen 44 national farmers’ organisations, five regional networks and the Africa-wide umbrella organisation to improve their governance and functioning. Farmers’ organisations will be supported to represent the interests of their members in relevant policy processes and to provide direct services to increase farmers’ participation in local and regional markets.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Africa
Agriculture & food security
Employment & economic development
Governance
Agricultural policy
Agriculture value-chain development (til 2016)
Tradepolicy & market system
Public sector policy
01.12.2011 - 31.12.2018
CHF 3'550'000
Background

Poverty in Africa is predominantly rural with more than 70 % of the continent’s poor people living in rural areas. Africa has also the highest prevalence of under-nourishment relative to its population (32%). Agriculture, and in particular smallholder family farming, remains the backbone of African economies, as it employs 65% of the labour force.

Objectives

To improve the livelihoods as well as food and nutrition security situation of African smallholder farmers and rural producers. Through this intervention, African farmers’ organisations are to progressively evolve into more stable, performing and accountable organisations that are able to effectively represent their members and advise them in farming enterprises.

Target groups

irectly: the secretariats of five African regional farmers’ organisations and of 44 affiliated national farmers’ organisations. Indirectly: the members of all participating farmers’ organisations, which claim to represent 52 million African smallholder farmers.

Medium-term outcomes

 

  • African farmers’ organisations institutional and organisational capacities are strengthened
  • African farmers’ organisations at country, regional and continental levels are able to influence policies on priority items
  • African farmers’ organisations have improved their entrepreneurial capacities and participation in value chains
  • The Pan-African farmers’ organisation is operational and its capacity is strengthened.
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    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

    SDC’s previous support to Farmers’ Forum Global Meetings (2010 and 2012) was instrumental in joining the Support for African Farmers’ Organisations Programme (SFOAP). During SFOAP pilot phase (2009-2012), substantial results were achieved: increased professionalism of African farmers’ organisations and improved representation of regional and national farmers’ organisations in policy processes.


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    International or foreign NGO
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • International Fund for Agricultural Development
    • East Africa Farmers’ Federation (EAFF)


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   3'550'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   3'447'167
    Project phases

    Phase 1 01.12.2011 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)