Farmer Organizations Forum links farmers to markets and financial services
"Smallholder farmers are critical to meeting the food security demands of
the future,"said FOSCA Lead Coordinator Fadel Ndiame. "Farmer
organizations empower and connect hardworking men and women across Africa
who deserve the opportunity to engage in the broader agricultural economy."
The forum will bring together farmer organisations from more than 12
sub-Saharan Africa nations to learn from shared successes and challenges.
The meeting will be attended by farmers, farmer organization
representatives, agricultural service providers, scientists, development
agencies and private-sector leaders. Experts will share best practices and
participate in a field visit to the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market and
AGRISA, a commercial farm that helps smallholder farmers access markets
large bulk buyers like supermarkets.
"Farmers are the key link between policymakers and the reality on the
ground," said CEO and Board Secretary of the SACAU Ishmael Sunga."This
forum will strengthen the managerial, organisational and technical capacity
of farmer's organisations with an aim of helping them provide demand-driven
and income enhancing services to smallholder farmers."
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of continued concerns about
global food security. With the population of Southern Africa expected to
grow to more than 67 million people in 2050, farmer organisations play a
pivotal role in linking smallholder farmers to financial resources and the
markets they need to feed the future.