FO involvement in GAFSP Background and first lessons learned AFA AGM Hanoi March 2012

How to make sure that FOs become involved in GAFSP funded projects ? Four steps, of which the first three relate mainly to experts’ missions to the relevant countries. These lay the foundations for step 4, which is the point at which one or more farmers’ organisations becomes fully involved in the design and implementation of a particular GAFSP project. Step 1 – Ensuring that the issue of involvement of FOs, in the institutional framework of the country design process, is on the table. Step 2 – Choosing the reference in-country FO, and at the same time establishing mechanisms to involve other FOs. Step 3 – Helping the chosen national FO to prepare proposals for the involvement of other FOs in the formulation and implementation phase. Step 4 – Ensuring that FOs are involved in the GAFSP project full design ánd implementation.

FO involvement in GAFSP Sierra Leone + Togo + Ethiopia + Rwanda Conclusions Mamadou CISSOKHO, hon. president of ROPPA 1.Pre-condition is the mere existence of some structure where FOs are together. 2.This structure must be recognized and mandated by the majority of organisations representing farmers. 3.This structure must be recognized by government and by the development partners. 4.FOs, in several African countries, are behind NGOs in terms of institutional strength, and the relations between both are “pas toujours facile”.

FO involvement in GAFSP Sierra Leone + Togo + Ethiopia + Rwanda Conclusions Mamadou CISSOKHO, hon. president of ROPPA (cont’d) 5.Lack of support from NGOs for this FO ambition. Lots of lip-service. 6.Civil servants, Government, have difficulty to change their paradigm of “the state runs it all”. FOs are asked to validate, not to participate.

FO involvement in GAFSP Sierra Leone + Togo + Ethiopia + Rwanda Way forward According to Mamadou CISSOKHO, hon. president of ROPPA 1.FO capacity building. FO capacity building. FO capacity building. 2.Long term capacity building. 3.Build healthy alliances with NGOs. Clarify roles of FOs and NGOs. Positive examples exist. Build upon them. 4.Imagine and implement new financing mechanisms. Ref. to Asprodeb in Senegal.

Farmers Fighting Poverty (FFP) Work Areas Work area 01: Organisational Strengthening and inclusiveness Work area 02: Institutional Development Work area 03: Policy elaboration and advocacy Work area 04: Farmer-led economic development Capacity Building of producer org Operations or services by producer org