Farmers' voice project' impacts policy on Strategic Food Reserves (SFR) and Post-Harvest Losses (PHL)

27 February 2015. The farmers’ Voice project that was co- funded by European Union and the Dutch agri-agency Agriterra is partnered by Eastern African Farmers Federation (EAFF) , Uganda National Farmers Federation(UNFFE), Mtandao Wa Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA), Uganda Coperative Alliance(UCA), Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF) and Agriterra. 

The project on ‘Improving Food Security Governance in East Africa’ focuses on participatory generation of food security related policy Issues.

The project unites 14 farmers’ organisations in a strategic partnership at regional, national and district levels, representing a total of over five million farmers. It uses a new approach developed by Agriterra, the Farmers’ Advocacy Consultation Tool (FACT).

According to EAFF Policy and Advocacy Mainza Mugoya EAFF contributed by sharing data of farm-gate prices and marketing costs, improving the quality of analysis. The valuable participation of EAFF in policy dialogue was greatly enhanced by evidence, supporting their voice in key policy decisions.

Member of organisations were thus fully involved in the analysis and dialogue in their respective countries, while EAFF engage at regional level with the East African Community (EAC) and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The project achieved increased capacities of FO’s in preparing policy proposals and influencing policy processes, based on the views, needs and concerns of their grassroots members, accountable, feasible and well-informed policy proposals on Strategic Food Reserves (SFR) and Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) generated through piloting of the FACT method and increased consultation and networking amongst the participating FO's on relevant policy issues at different levels.