Agriculture remains the main source of employment for the labour force in Africa. Nonetheless, low productivity, uncompetitive markets, weak rural infrastructure, among other factors, have reduced the opportunities for smallholders to feed themselves and earn an income from agriculture. Farmers’ organisations are fundamental in giving a voice to farmers and in supporting their integration in markets. Their influence on policy making, however, is still weak. Capacity building from the bottom-up is essential for these organisations in order to better contribute to agricultural development. Through the Farmers’ Africa Programme, the EU aims to increase the livelihoods and food security of rural producers in Africa by helping farmers’ organizations (FOs) improve their capacity and skills. This reinforces their role in better shaping policies for agriculture and sustainable development, at national, regional and continental levels. The action is divided in two programmes: Support to Farmers’ Organisations in Africa Programme (SFOAP) – and Farmers Fighting Poverty – Food Security Initiatives of Farmers’ Organisations in a Regional Perspective (Africa) (FFP/AFRICA). It is made up of 4 components as follows: Building up the institutional and organisational capacities of FOs; Enabling FOs at different levels to influence policies on priority subjects; Improving the entrepreneurial capacities of FOs and their participation in value chains Strengthening the capacity of the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) to participate in and influence policy processes on agriculture and rural development at continental and international levels.

Source: European Commission