The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has urged governments to deepen partnerships with farmers’ organizations to accelerate rural transformation and ensure investments effectively reach smallholder farmers. IFAD Associate Vice-President for Country Operations Donal Brown emphasized that governments must be central to discussions involving development agencies and farmers’ organizations, as they are critical to translating investments into lasting impact. During the Farmers’ Forum (FAFO) for Eastern and Southern Africa in Nairobi on Tuesday, Brown highlighted that 95% of IFAD’s resources are channeled through governments, underscoring their pivotal role in strengthening farmers’ organizations’ contributions to rural development.
Brown argued that farmers’ organizations should not be seen as adversaries but as essential rural institutions capable of supporting communities, cooperatives, and grassroots initiatives. He called for greater coordination among development partners as concessional resources for rural development decline, urging stakeholders to shift from fragmented projects to shared priorities that generate broader impact. "We need to be more integrated, working together more, and focus on simpler, longer-term interventions," he said, noting that rural transformation often requires timelines beyond typical five- to 10-year development projects.
The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) echoed these calls, advocating for national farmer organizations to be formally included in Country Strategic Opportunities Programmes (COSOPs), which define roles in IFAD-supported initiatives. EAFF President Elizabeth Nsimadala stated that farmer organizations are frequently excluded from national programs despite representing the target beneficiaries. She noted ongoing efforts to ensure their participation in national processes and access to information on IFAD programs, enabling them to complement government efforts. "EAFF’s strategy aligns with IFAD’s priorities on markets, rural development, and resilience, with a focus on aggregation, structured markets, and youth and women’s empowerment," she said.
Nsimadala emphasized that EAFF, representing over 25 million smallholder farmers, could serve as an effective delivery mechanism for IFAD programs due to its extensive grassroots networks. She also called for farmer organizations to be involved in reviewing program performance, identifying improvements, and contributing to policy development. The federation is working toward a formalized partnership with IFAD, including an action plan, specific deliverables, and regular progress monitoring, with a review scheduled at the Global Farmers Forum in Rome in 2028.
IFAD’s broader strategy, informed by consultations with farmers and rural communities, prioritizes market access, employment, and resilience. Pieternel Boogaard, IFAD’s Managing Director of the Office of Technical Delivery, noted that resilience would address not only climate-related shocks but also disruptions like El Niño and fertilizer supply challenges. The Regional FAFO for Eastern and Southern Africa, held alongside the ESA Business Planning Meeting from September 29 to October 2, aims to strengthen dialogue and shape rural development priorities in the region.
The push for collaboration comes amid efforts to align IFAD’s programs with the needs of smallholder farmers, who face systemic barriers to accessing resources and markets. By integrating farmer organizations into planning and implementation, stakeholders aim to create more sustainable and impactful rural development initiatives. The event highlighted the growing recognition of farmers’ organizations as vital partners in achieving food security and economic resilience across the region.
The call for stronger partnerships reflects a broader shift in development strategies, emphasizing inclusivity and long-term planning. As IFAD and its partners refine their approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that rural communities, particularly smallholder farmers, benefit directly from investments and policy reforms.
The discussions at FAFO underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the complex challenges facing agriculture and rural economies. With governments, development agencies, and farmer organizations working together, the hope is to create a more equitable and resilient food system for East and Southern Africa.
The outcomes of these dialogues will likely influence future IFAD programs and regional policies, shaping how resources are allocated and how farmers’ voices are integrated into decision-making processes. The emphasis on formalized partnerships and shared priorities marks a significant step toward more effective rural development.
The event also highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in rural development initiatives, with farmer organizations playing a key role in monitoring progress and advocating for the needs of smallholder farmers. As the Global Farmers Forum approaches in 2028, the momentum for collaboration is expected to grow, driving forward the agenda for inclusive rural transformation.