The Inter-continental Network of Organic Farmer Associations (INOFO) aims to unite and provide a voice to organic farmers around the world. The network has also been doing this very successfully worldwide for several years, but now the aim is to expand links to the membership base. Africa is the first of the six regions within the network to be purposefully strengthened with the support of the AHA.
In early September, a team of eight organic farmers from all corners of Africa came together in Kenya, kicking off this new phase of collaboration between INOFO and the AHA. The five-day workshop was led by our trainers Purvi Shah-Paulini, who has been accompanying INOFO since 2018, and Fatma Ben Rejeb, former CEO of the Pan-African Farmer’s Organisation (PAFO) and our expert on the agricultural stakeholder landscape in Africa. Thanks to the intensive sessions, the first important steps were taken towards a better future for organic agriculture throughout the continent. Practical experience was not neglected either: in keeping with a peer-to-peer approach, the team visited a bee cooperative and a cooperative of avocado farmers – all organic, of course – to learn more about their challenges and issues first hand. On behalf of INOFO, they pursue the ambitious goal of improving living conditions for organic farmers in Africa and advocating for sustainable agricultural and food systems.
The AHA has been working with INOFO since 2018. The network has created a self-organised structure, which is almost exclusively supported by volunteer organic farmers themselves. In recent years, INOFO has become a global player that, in light of climate change and the increasing demand for organic products, is represented on almost every stage within the green sector. With the help of growing visibility on various international platforms, INOFO has been able to strengthen the voice of organic farmers and successfully advocate for organic agriculture. But INOFO’s primary concern is to improve the living conditions of its member base – organic farmers around the world. Therefore, INOFO has decided to now work in more decentralised fashion and to strengthen its existing networks in the regions. The continent of Africa is serving as a blueprint for INOFO’s remaining six regions. The global network, of course, remains the central link between continents, the legitimate representative of the organic farming community and of fair and sustainable food systems – both for present and future generations.
The AHA is delighted to accompany INOFO on this exciting journey and wishes the new team in Africa every success in this important step towards more sustainable agriculture.
