In mid-January, the presidents and directors of the Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO) and young farmers from other African associations spent a week and a half in Berlin. And they had a rich programme: a workshop in organisational development, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) and Green Week. And in the midst of it all German farmers were demonstrating in the streets. A colourful, exciting and very international programme.
As of this year, one of the most important trade fairs for the agricultural and food industry is now simply called Green Week and no longer International Green Week. Even if the Green Week has now dropped the word international – from the perspective of the AHA and their partners, these were international, eventful and colourful January weeks.
Organisational development at pan-African level
PAFO, the Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation, represents over 80 million farmers via its five regional member associations. In line with PAFO’s five-year strategy, the AHA has offered to support the organisation in its organisational development (OD). At PAFO’s General Assembly in Tunis in October 2023, it was decided to take this path together in order to strengthen PAFO so that the association is able to meet the diverse demands placed on African farmers and their organisations.
PAFO is underpinned by the five African regional organisations – the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), East African Farmers Federation (EAFF), Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et des Producteurs Agricoles de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA), l’Union Maghrébine et Nord-Africaine des Agriculteurs (UMNAGRI), la Plateforme régionale des organisations paysannes d’Afrique centrale (PROPAC).
The first workshop with the organisation kicked off in Berlin in mid-January. This workshop gave PAFO representatives the opportunity to discuss developments in the organisation and identify common ideas to enable organisational development.
The focus was on a systemic approach that considers the organisation as a whole. The focus here is on the relationships, structures, processes and culture that shape how the organisation functions through its leaders, technical team and through clear strategic direction.
The workshop created a confidential space. PAFO representatives were simply accompanied by two of our trainers. Both trainers had already gained considerable experience in the field of organisational development in West, East and South Africa, as well as in Europe.
Ministerial visit to the PAFO-AHA stand at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture
January was characterised by nationwide farmers’ protests. Demonstrations were also held outside the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA). An exciting and moving time for agriculture was how PAFO representatives, who stayed in Berlin after the workshop for the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture and Green Week, experienced events too. “We too want to go to the farmers’ demonstrations!” said one of PAFO’s directors and presidents. In addition to expressing sympathy with the farmers’ protests, various PAFO representatives took part in discussions and on panels at the GFFA. The PAFO exchange platform was presented at the joint PAFO-AHA stand as part of the GFFA Innovation Forum. The innovative project also attracted German Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir.
The platform has been available since June 2023. It is a real hub of knowledge for jointly responding to challenges, strengthening associations organisationally and promoting exchanges among like-minded people. Here members can share their thoughts on topics, challenges and varied approaches to solutions.
And for even greater exchange: PAFO encounters the agricultural policy dialogue
The GFFA also provided the framework for the political launch of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD) with the African Union (AU). The AHA won the tender for this project in late 2023 as one of three consortium partners, together with IAK Leipzig and the pan-African political advisory network FANRPAN. In a process spanning several years, the project is supporting the African Union’s partner – the Commission for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Blue Economy (ARBE) – in breaking new ground in successfully implementing agricultural policy. The focus here is on strengthening food systems as a whole and increasing resilience in times of climate change.
The GFFA and Green Week provided an ARBE delegation exciting opportunities to get to know German agriculture and its representatives face-to-face. One highlight was the meeting between the project team and ARBE Commissioner Josefa Sacko and German Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir on the fringes of the ministerial summit. Strengthened by this political tailwind, the APD AU is now setting out to strengthen dialogue between all stakeholders in the African food system in order to support development of a modern agricultural policy for the continent.
Another important moment for our partner PAFO was the meeting between the PAFO delegation, led by President Ibrahima Coulibaly, and the Secretary of State of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Jochen Flasbarth.
The discussion focused on good governance, policy on land rights, investment conditions, structural support and capacity building for African farmers’ organisations and, last but not least, development cooperation and farmers’ organisations in a multilateral context.
This meeting facilitated discussion on the future of sustainable agriculture and prospects for international cooperation.
