1. Working Group Topics

2. Working Group 1a: The concept of contract farming  Is there a lack of political understanding of contract farming; is this a problem and, if so, how can it be overcome?’ Working Group 1b Ways of addressing contract failure:  What new approaches can be adopted to address contract failure?

3. Working Group 1b Ways of addressing contract failure:  What new approaches can be adopted to address contract failure?

4. Working Group 2a (1 & 2) Ways of linking companies to farmers What ways can be recommended to best link farmers to companies? –for large-scale immediate processing (tea; oil palm; sugar) –for other export commodities (cotton; tobacco; coffee) –for consumer agro-processing (fruits and vegetables; processed meat) –for dairy products –for supermarket supply

5. Working Groups 3a (1 & 2): Enabling environments Are African traditional land tenure systems an obstacle to successful contract farming? To what extent are national regulatory frameworks and institutions related to agrifood quality and standards an obstacle to successful contract farming in Africa? Are national regulatory frameworks for agricultural marketing in Africa conducive to successful contract farming?

6. Working Groups on the Field Trip How would you assess the contract farming operations of MGK and what proposals can you make for improvements?

7. Working Group 4a Contract farming and rural development: How can contract farming be used to promote rural development?

8. Working Group 4b Smaller-scale contractual arrangements: Is there scope for small-scale contractual arrangements involving, e.g., local traders. commercial farmers or input dealers?