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It is obvious from the discussion so far that there have been mixed experiences of farmer organisations globally. So far contributors have been quite negative about them which concerns me a great deal. It may be confusion over terminology or something, but my and FARM-Africa's experience in Africa, have generally been very positive. In our experience farmers groups and organisations are essential in the development process, particularly for very poor people, for various reasons:- Mutual support and encouragement. This may sound vague but I have found when working with, for example, very poor women in Ethiopia that this is vital for them to develop the confidence to manage their group's affairs, access common services including credit, and in some cases protect new rights they have acquired etc. Many of these rather more informal groups often build on traditional social groups, for example, around savings and credit, funeral associations etc . Empowerment and representation; Mutual support can quickly move to real empowerment which in turn can develop into genuine representation of farmer interests, often for the first time, to government, the private sector and civil society groups, eg the Konso Development Association in southern Ethiopia which now engages in a much more effctive manner,with the local and regional government around a host of development issues of concern to their 5,000+ members and does lobby for greater government and other resources to come into their district. Cost-effective entry point: It is more cost-effective for government, private sector, NGOs etc to work through groups or organisations rather than disbursed individuals. Long-term provision of services. This is where, perhaps, there has been mixed experience and the past failure of co-operatives from political meddling, poor governance and management, dishonesty etc is well known. However, in situations with better governance and decentralised structures, there is much to encourage a fresh look at farmer organisations that enable farmers to co-operate in supplying inputs and/or marketing products. Much has been learned about making organisations accountable to their members to ensure better management. In the paper `Reaching the Poor. A call to Action. Investment in smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (posted on this theme's website)' there are many examples of successful farmers groups, associations, and more formal organisations such as the Meru Goat Breeders Association in Kenya who provide a range of services to their members for which fees are charged to cover the costs of the association. The Uganda National Farmers Federation is another interesting model with some recent successes and huge potential. Enterprise development. This is a trickier area where group management of a more commercial enterprise can fail. But even here, given the right structures and governance, it can succeed, I cna think of a trucking fleet established by a group of pastoralists in northern Kenya, which has expanded from one to 4 trucks and is commercially successful under group management. I think we need a fresh look at farmer organisations in the light of new circumstances. It is dangerous to right them off ! Christie Peacock Dr Christie Peacock Chief Executive FARM-Africa 9-10 Southampton Place, London, WC1A 2EA, UK Tel: +44 207 430 0440 Fax: +44 207 430 0440 emai: <address removed> website: farmafrica.org.uk FARM-Africa has a fundamental belief in the capacity of small-scale farmers and herders to improve their own well-being. For further information on our work, please visit our website at www.farmafrica.org.uk <http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/> Email Disclaimer This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom they are addressed. Any views or opinions presented are those of the author alone and do not necessarily represent those of FARM-Africa. If the content of this email is to become legally binding, it must be made in writing and signed by a duly authorised representative of FARM-Africa. If you have received this email in error, please notify the author. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, copy, print or rely on this email. ============================================================= To send a reply to this message that goes to all list members, make sure that you send your reply to <address removed> To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to "<address removed>", with the message body: unsubscribe economic-opportunity <your-email-address>
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