20 - 21 February. Rome. About 95 delegates from farmers' and fishers' networks, and an equal number of observers, attended the
Farmers' Forum. The forum discussed a.o. the importance to invest in strengthening the technical, managerial and organizational capacity of FOs, as well as their governance mechanisms and leadership skills. IFAD and other development organizations are playing a role in this area.
Various concrete solutions have been proposed as a way forward for FOs, in many cases by drawing on successful experiences that have potential for replication. It was suggested that IFAD and other development institutions provide a combination of loans and grants to financially support FOs. This could build their capacity while making FOs more responsible as owners of their own path towards sustainability.
Djibo Bagna of the West African producers' network ROPPA listed a series of specific policy questions that must be answered as a prerequisite for rural transformation. For example, how will smallholders gain access to credit and markets? And how can we empower rural women and youth, and build the capacities of producers' organizations? "The road ahead is still very long," said Bagna.
Background:
The Farmers' Forum is an emerging, bottom-up process of consultation and dialogue between small farmers and rural producers' organizations, IFAD and governments, focused on rural development and poverty reduction. Fully aligned with IFAD's strategic objectives, the Forum is rooted in concrete partnership and collaboration at the country and regional level. Engagement with rural organizations at the field level and dialogue at the international level are articulated as mutually reinforcing processes. Following consultations at the national and regional level, the Farmers' Forum meets every two years for a global consultation, in conjunction with the Governing Council of IFAD.
Sustainable smallholder agriculture: Feeding the world, protecting the planet
Centre-stage events
Wednesday 22 February
Side events of the Farmers’ Forum
Thursday, 23 February 2012 (IFAD HQ)
14:00 - 16:00 | “Organic farmers organizations: empowering farmers and promoting sustainable rural development” organised by IFOAM. – Oval Room A
English | French | Spanish |
14:00 - 16:00 | “Linking research to advocacy in farmer organizations: building on country experiences”. organised by AgriNatura and the ESFIM project. – Oval Room B
English | French | Spanish |
14:00 - 16:00 | “The role of livestock for farmers coping with environmental and social challenges of the future”. organised by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières – Europa. - Room C 500 5th floor wing C
English | French | Spanish |
16:30 - 18:30 | “Strengthening farmers' organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa– the Farmer Organization Support Centre in Africa” (FOSCA). organised by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). – Oval Room A
English | French | Spanish |
16:30 - 18:30 | “World Agricultures Watch”: FAO/CIRAD – organised by WAW secretariat at FAO. – Oval Room B
English | French | Spanish |
16:30 - 18:30 | “International Year of Cooperatives”: jointly organised by IFAD, WFP and FAO. – Room C 500 5th floor wing C
English | French | Spanish |
Various concrete solutions have been proposed as a way forward for FOs, in many cases by drawing on successful experiences that have potential for replication. It was suggested that IFAD and other development institutions provide a combination of loans and grants to financially support FOs. This could build their capacity while making FOs more responsible as owners of their own path towards sustainability. 
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