Strengthening Capacity of Farmer Based Organisations in SADC

Study Objective • The objective is to strengthen the capacity of farmer-based organisations in policy analysis and advocacy in order to enhance their role in policy priority setting and communication for decision making in rural development

Study Objective (Ctnd) • The study will contribute to household food security through increased agricultural production and improved availability of staple foods

Study Background • The projected originated from the agricultural recovery, food security and trade policy dialogue hosted by FANRPAN in Gaborone, Botswana in March 2003 • One of the major recommendations was the need to strengthen farmer-based organisations such as commodity associations, smallholder farming organisations and agribusiness associations

Partnerships • FANRPAN partnered with the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) • SACAU is made up of eight national farmer unions from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Completed Activities • A workshop on policy advocacy and representation capacity of farmer organisations in the SADC region was held in July 2004 in Namibia • An information and communication strategy has been developed for SACAU, which identifies key objectives and actionable strategies to be implemented over a three year period

Completed Activities • Policy papers have been completed on: – Current status of farmer organisations in the region – Policy advocacy among farmer unions