eaff november 2014 newletter - grow africa...livestock support program in africa known as strategy...

EAFF & EALA, advance EAC Cooperative Societies Bill, 2014, Which is purely demand driven and private sector centered

EAFF & EALA, advance EAC Cooperative Societies Bill, 2014, Which is purely demand driven and private sector centered

November 2014

The voice of farmers in Eastern Africa

EAFF NewsletterINFORMATION

EASTERN AFRICAN FARMERS’ FEDERATION

Turning Agricultural challenges into Opportunities in Africa 1

A closer look at the 10 years of CAADP implementation 2

Embracing the young generation of farmers 4

EU, EAFF rolls out project to enhance Fos capacity in policy engagements 6

Crop protection: Increasing productivity at a price for better price 9

"Make renewed and re-energized commitment towards

African Agriculture," PAFO asks Head of states and governments 11

ACT staff undergoes Policy Analysis training 13

EAFF in the process of setting up M&E system 13

INGABO, IMBARAGA, host French Farmer Organization, Development partner 15

EAFF, ACT train members on Knowledge Management, Institutional Development 16

Unimplemented policies killing African Agriculture 17

Table of Content Page

Voice of Farmers’ in Eastern AfricaISSUE: November, 2014

On behalf of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, I The immediate location along the value chain small-scale would like to welcome your interaction with us through farmers must occupy should be in aggregation. Aggregation this edition of EAFF Information Newsletter .The will not only assure them access to profitable markets, but newsletter is one of our other channels of also add value and communication, that is, Policy and Advocacy address post harvest Newsletter and also Policy, Trade, Knowledge briefs. c h a l l e n g e s . The core message of this newsletter is the EAC Currently, financing Cooperative society's bill 2014. of agriculture is

a long the value c h a i n . T h i s There are questions as to why EAFF as a farmer approach demands organization has embarked on an initiative that touches that for small-scale on the activities of so many other stakeholders in the farmers to access cooperative movement .Our motivation to engage in loans they must this process eminent from the importance of the d e m o n s t r a t e agricultural sector that is the primarily activity to many a v a i l a b i l i t y o f in Africa, our region and at the national levels.services that have Maputo Declaration implications on their Through Maputo Declaration of 2003, Africa Heads e n t e r p r i s e s i . e . of States and Governments committed themselves to transport, advisory service, markets, among others. apply agriculture as the driver of economic growth in Aggregation and solutions to accessibility of finances can Africa. Their Maputo commitment include additional only be addressed through producer cooperatives. The financial allocation to agriculture, i.e. 10% of National EAC now has a common market and it is our business as Budget, an annual growth of 6 % of the sector, EAFF to ensure that our small scale farmers benefit from participation of all stakeholder in driving sustainable opportunities availed by the expanded market of 150 million agriculture agenda and solidarity in mobilization of people in EAC.finances for agriculture through Comprehensive Africa The law and regulations governing our national Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).cooperatives cannot be able to engage our small scale farmer The character of Africa Agriculture is unique in that with regional trade. Through the cooperative bill that is in 80% of producers are small scale farmers. It would be the hands of EALA we intend to put in place a good law. difficult for us to meet our poverty and hunger One that will not only help address gaps in our national laws elevation and eradication targets without finding but also facilitates regional trade through cooperatives .What appropriate solutions to small scale agriculture .EAFF we eventually wish to see happen is a repositioning of has through its current strategic plan 2013 to 2020 cooperatives as a business model for small farmers and deliberately committed itself to transformation medium size enterprises./commercialization of small-scale agriculture .Cooperative governanceCooperative modelThe importance that we attach to cooperatives demands that As an organization we had to explore and agree on an we expand our capacity building scope to not only target appropriate model of production that would enable us agriculture, but also cooperative governance and commercialize small-scale agriculture in our region. management. The current bill we have in place benefited a Together with our membership we agree that a lot from capacity for universities. We intend to strengthen cooperative model is the most appropriate option that our collaboration with Moshi and Kenya cooperative will help engage small-scale farmers in farming as a universities and cooperative training institutions that will business.emerge in our region. We have already established a close There is scientific evidence indicating that when working relationship with Regional University Forum for agriculture performs other sectors and especially Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) after being service sectors also perform well. Most of the invited to sit on their board and are in the process of signing cooperatives in our region and even banks target a memorandum of working together. agriculture sector .Our small-scale farmers will never As always, I would like to invite you to read this newsletter be able to increase their income through agriculture and all our future newsletters and encourage you to provide unless they can collectively acquire farm inputs and us with suggestions and comments that can help us improve market their products collectively. For small-scale its quality, both in content and relevance. farmer to enhance their power at the market, they must

strategically position themselves along the value chain.

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EAFF president, Philip Kiriro

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to this Edition of EAFF Information A s s e m b l y Newsletter. In this edition, we are placing all the focus on ( E A L A ) i n the work and progress that we have made in advancing the January 2014. It East African Community (EAC) Co-operative Societies w a s t h e n Bill, 2014. In 2010, EAFF embarked on a process to have circulated to the a harmonized law on co-operatives at the EAC. This law is r e s p e c t i v e purposed to engage the small and medium scale n a t i o n a l enterprises from different sectors including agriculture to parliaments for participate and contribute to the regional integration discussions and process as subscribed in the EACs principle of a 'people- debate. EAFF centered, private sector driven' integration process. has organized

nat iona l and d i s t r i c t Agriculture communityconsul ta t ions The importance of co-operatives is well known and they with members have a rich history here in East Africa. The World Bank to ensure that the Bill is comprehensively critiqued by Development Report of 2008 and the EAC Food Security stakeholders, while preparing for EALA to convene Action Plan highlight boldly the need to promote co-Public Hearings in the partner states with a view of operatives since they exist as business entities through a collecting additional inputs from the EAFF members and national law, they subscribe to collective action and other stakeholders. All the comments will be synthesized promote socio-economic related activities for their and shall be presented and discussed during the 2nd and members. For the agriculture community, the role of co-3rd Reading of the Bill. All things remaining constant, we operatives especially for commodity aggregation, value expect to have the Bill signed into law by end of 2014. addition, marketing, finance and insurance has played a

significant role in the development and growth of The EAFF leadership has engaged legal experts in co-subsectors such as dairy, tea, and coffee among others.operatives to assist in this effort, and requests support from all stakeholders to support us. Our expectation is that this law will be game-changer as far as the EAC When enacted, the EAC Cooperative Societies Bill regional integration is concerned and more so the growth would serve the following purposes: and development of small and medium enterprises as ŸRealize the harmonization of national co-operative they are principally the drivers of the economies of the laws in line with EAC regional integration process EAC partner states. and the EAC Treaty; Positive precedentŸResult in strengthening of co-operatives through We believe that this law will set a positive precedent to sharing of best practice and approaches; other important developments in sub-Saharan Africa. Ÿ Strengthen co-operatives through ensuring that they We are most grateful to our membership in the five EAC run independently and professionally under a partner states, who have played a leadership role in supportive policy environment; advancing the Bill at the country level. They have ŸProvide opportunities for joint ventures through coordinated the stakeholder discussions, and have met pooling re-sources, participating in regional and with their respective ministries to present their international business opportunities across different justification for the Bill. We are also very grateful to the sectors and sub-sectors East African Legislative Assembly who, since 2011, have ŸIt will serve to enhance good neighborliness and been encouraging us to advance this Bill. We are eagerly regional security; and anticipating the processes the hearings, and that this Bill is Ÿ Lastly, the Bill will improve regional food security as finally enacted into Law by the end of this year.well as open up opportunities for regional,

continental and international partnerships.

Public hearingsTo the best of our knowledge, this Bill is the first of its kind to be advanced from outside of government. As such, it has attracted a lot of positive interest in the region among various private and public institutions. The Bill was read for the first time at the East African Legislative

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Message from the CEO

EAFF CEO, Stephen Muchiri

The African Union Commission, AUC, is rolling a Strategy and action planlivestock support program in Africa known as In April, 2014, AUC held VET GOV project Veterinary Governance Program, VET GOV, valued meeting in Arusha, Tanzania on development of at 31 million Euros, which is implemented by the support strategy and action plans for livestock Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resource of the farmers' associations and apex organizations. In the African Union, AU-IBAR, and whose strategic goal meeting, whose purpose was development of is to bring about institution strengthening of support strategy and action plan for Livestock veterinary services towards the establishment of Farmers' Associations and Apex Organisations, the adequate veterinary services at the national level and Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, was strengthening regional institutions to play their roles represented by CEO, Stephen Muchiri who of coordination, harmonization, integration and informed the participants that the Federation has 22 support to countries with the aim to stimulate a more farmer organizations in 10 countries with over 20 conducive environment for public and private million members and that despite the contribution investments in the livestock sector.

The program which when implemented will of livestock to the GDP, it has attracted little transform the livestock sector in the continent, is investment from the respective governments in the focusing on three main areas i.e. creating a conducive region and that Human wildlife conflict, collapse of and participatory change environment through livestock markets, low value addition, unavailability evidence-based advocacy and knowledge creation; of reliable data were some of the constraints facing building institutional and individual capacity in the livestock sector development. EAFF has policy analysis, formulation and implementation to developed a livestock for the Eastern Africa region, undertake institutional strengthening of veterinary which is already in the process of implementation.services and also encouraging change through supporting initiatives with high leverage effects. The objectives of the workshop were among others

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EAFF align to AUC VET GOV project, as the Federation implements her livestock strategy in EAC

By Robert Kubai

to review and validate the findings of the above-mentioned assessment, review the 2014-2016 plan / programme of the regional farmers organisation, develop an advocacy strategy and action plan in support of livestock, develop a participation support plan for livestock farmers organisations and finally to develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for the program.

Building synergy

At the regional level, the meeting recommended among others supporting organizational and institutional development and strengthen umbrella regional livestock sector associations; harmonization of commodity tariffs and non-tariffs barriers (SPS Measures); supporting and backstopping the national associations; enhancing networking and collaboration so that regional institutions are able to share the action plans between RECs and Member States; facilitating recognition of the national apex associations and active participation in agenda setting for regional federations; establishing a livestock platform or forum to discuss and address regional livestock issues at COMESA; and finally harmonizing and building synergy with ongoing policy and capacity building initiatives.

The writer is an Assistant Projects

Administrator for EAFF

Knowledge and information strategy is a plan for access point for equitable sharing of information and Knowledge management which is a process of knowledge generated and adapted from agricultural identifying, capturing, evaluating, retrieving and research through means that promote improved sharing all of an organization's information assets production practices, optimization of scaling up of which include databases, documents, policies and TIMPs and influencing policies, as a central procedures. contribution to agricultural transformation in ECA.Being a research institution, the Association for Agriculture Research in Eastern and Southern Innovation platformsAfrica, ASARECA, generates a lot of information In this stakeholders meeting, EAFF, which sits in the which calls for an effective knowledge and ASARECA's Board of Directors, was represented by information sharing mechanism, which the her Knowledge Management Officer, Norbert Association already drafted. In May, 2014, the Tuyishime, who informed the forum that creating Association together with other stakeholders linkages with farmers is nowadays easier than before including the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation through regional bodies like EAFF and national (EAFF), CTA, IFPRI, KARI, NARO, ITAACC, umbrellas which represent millions of farmers. ICIPE, CABI among others, converged in Kampala Tuyishime also noted that the initiatives under this to review this draft strategy, with a goal of hub strategy such as innovation platforms and other incorporating concrete inputs and feedback from the field work can be better organized and achieve stakeholders to help refine the strategy document. intended impact when these Farmer Organizations Strengthening knowledge-sharing and learning are recognized and their capacities strengthened to

participate. The strategy seeks to strengthen knowledge-sharing Other stakeholders requested ASARECA to and learning among actors in Eastern and Southern promote the strategy to get the buy in of the Africa, ECA, region's AR4D processes, facilitating nationals and aligning members countries 'interests and influencing use of knowledge and information to cooperate in the implementation of this strategy to improve practice and policy, equipping and also to have clear targets, indicators and impacts.ASARECA and her partners with modern and

innovative knowledge-sharing and learning The writer is an Assistant Projects infrastructure and systems; facilitating and

promoting sustainable knowledge- sharing and Administrator for EAFFlearning culture among individuals and organizations

in AR4D. The strategy also presents the new spirit, important for rebranding ASARECA as a hub or

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ASARECA reviews knowledge and information strategy

By Robert Kubai

The Cooperative Movement in East Africa region having in place a Cooperative Societies Law, which has received a major boost after the East Africa would transform the cooperatives movement in the Legislative Assembly, EALA, in partnership with the region, hence benefiting the smallholder farmers Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, whom EAFF represent. "This process that EAFF successfully conducted the public hearings for the decided to undertake was a service to our East Africa Cooperative Societies Bill, 2014, in the 5 membership, because when we brought the countries of EAC, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, cooperatives in the Federation membership, Rwanda and Burundi. This paves the way for Bill to questions started emerging from the farmers about proceed to the second reading after the comments how comes that the cooperatives are not doing well? gathered from the members of public and other From those questions, we commissioned a study and stakeholders across the region have been found the need to have this law in place." Kiriro said. incorporated. The Bill, if it becomes law, will "With this law, smallholder farmers can come completely transform the cooperatives in the region together and do business. This is in line with EAFF by changing the way they are managed. After the strategic plan which is oriented towards second reading, the Bill will be debated in the third commercialization of agriculture" he said. reading, after which it will be taken for presidential Intra EAC trade assent, which is done in a special sitting for the Heads On his part, EAFF CEO, Mr. Stephen Muchiri, of state for the 5 countries. The public hearings are explained to the stakeholders the rationale for the moderated by the 15 member Agriculture, Tourism Bill. "Regional integration is happening quickly, and Wildlife Committee of EALA, which is chaired nevertheless, we don't trade a lot within our boarders, by Ms. Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo. the intra trade within EAC is less than 10% yet there Speaking during the public hearing in Nairobi, are huge opportunities that we are missing when Kenya, EAFF president Mr. Philip Kiriro said that trading within EAC is concerned. we are increasing after comprehensive research, the Federation found in population, which now stands at more than 150 out that the producer cooperatives are not doing million people in the region, we are still food deficit, well, which prompted them to start the process of we have a very huge food import bill, and no trading

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EALA, EAFF, complete round of public hearings across the region for the EAC Cooperative Societies Bill, 2014 By Robert Kubai

EAFF President, Philip Kiriro, 2nd right, pose for a photo with EALA Mps during the hearings

among ourselves," Said the CEO. "This is a very unique Bill, it coming directly from the people, all other laws that have been passed come from Demand driven lawgovernment. There is a huge opportunity in this The mover of the Bill in EALA Mr. Mike Ssebalu, law. If there is a legal framework, a law that helps termed the Bill unique since it is demand driven as it us to do business with each other by forming joint originated with EAFF who represents farmers in the ventures, par tnerships, coal i t ions and region. Ssebalu also informed the participants about amalgamations, we can develop this region beyond the approach to the law."This law is based on our imagination, and this is what we are trying to multisectoral engagements, and its good different state achieve with this Bill, when it becomes law." departments are represented here such as livestock, Muchiri Said. agriculture among others, we need to appreciate the Explaining the gains the smallholder farmers in uniqueness of each sector as we embark on the process EAC will achieve when the Bill becomes law, of regulating the cooperatives." he said. "This law is Cooperative Alliance of Kenya, CAK, CEO, Mr. also multidisciplinary so we are going to tap onto your Stanley Muchiri, outlined how the law will bring backgrounds professionally and technically, so that that about new ways of doing business in the region. when it comes to political aspects, the law is well "It will be possible for a primary dairy Cooperative grounded, in terms of technical, the law is well Society in Kenya and another one in Tanzania, grounded and in terms of disciplinary, the law is also Uganda, Rwanda or Burundi, can form a well grounded." Sseballu added.collaboration and process their milk together and Other stakeholders who gave their comments to the have a common brand that go into international EALA's committee on Agriculture and Natural market," Said CAK CEO. "A formation of East resources in Nairobi, Kenya include; Ministry of EAC, Africa Cooperative Societies may be formed Commerce and Trade, ReSSAKS, National Assembly across different sectors for instance a dairy of Kenya, among others.cooperative society in Kenya with a Savings and

The writer is an Assistant Projects Credit Cooperative Society SACCO, in Rwanda, they can form collaboration and become together

Administrator for EAFFif they see an opportunity they can exploit.”

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Agriculture, Tourism and Wildlife Committee of EALA pose for photo, with EAFF president, 3rd right, during the public hearing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

CGIAR, in September, 2014, held the development c) improving nutritiondialogue in New York, USA. The annual event is a d) enhancing efficiency in food systems and high level forum designed to inform policy and focus renewable products value chainsglobal attention on the vital role of research in e) investing in sustainable landscapesagriculture, forestry, fisheries, landscapes and food f) conserving and wisely using biodiversitysystems in sustainable development. g) meeting the challenges of climate change Attracting over 250 leaders across the globe, the what they said2014 marked an historic opportunity to IFAD president, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, said that in his communicate the critical role of agricultural research own analysis, researchers should also pursue the in achieving the objectives of the emerging United science of policy instead of leaving policy to policy Nations Sustainable Development goals. The event makers; he said there is need to also focus on the took place alongside the UN General Assembly's social aspects of research creating a balance with the inaugural meeting of the high level political forum academic aspects, he concluded by saying that 'we on sustainable development and the UN climate cannot sustainably develop urban areas without summit. developing the rural areasDrawing on the CGIAR experience as the world's Minister for Agriculture for Nigeria, Dr Akin leading research partnership on sustainable Adesina, said that its increasing getting clearer that agriculture and landscapes, the dialogues were we need to view farming as a business and by so structured to promote an exchange of expert doing we shall be made to develop a business opinion to engage the audience. It will address and approach to all our interventions – this will be the contribute insights on four cross-cutting themes that only way we shall un-lock poverty in Africa. He said draw on sustainable development goals process in Nigeria they have developed a data base and namely – prosperous, food secure and resilient registered 14 million farmers –the first of its kind in livelihoods; healthier, innovative, capable and Africa –with this data house, they have developed inclusive communities; efficient agricultural many innovations such as introducing the electronic technologies for sustainable intensification and wallet that has helped farmers use electronic climate change resilient agro-ecosystems. vouchers to procure inputs, they have created food

production zones and have been focusing on Global leaders building partnerships with farmers and the private The dialogues were primarily aimed at global leaders, sector, he believes partnerships and not aid is what high level decision makers and SDG negotiators and the sector needs.featured lively interactive panel debates among leading scientists, heads of states, prominent privates Genuine dialoguesector players, philanthropic organizations and The Chair of the committee on food security, Her prestigious academic institutions Excellency Gerda Verburg, said the following This year's events objectives were to demonstrate the –sustainable food security means sustainable fundamental role of research in agriculture, forestry, agriculture, this will work if we make the approach fisheries, landscapes and food systems to achieving more people centred. She said that research has to each of the emerging Sustainable Development focus on –increasing yields and stabilizing them; Goals; to point important gaps in knowledge and centre on the farm & the farmers, focus on value need for public and private investments in research chains. To achieve this there has to be genuine outreach and capacity development and finally to dialogues with farmershighlight key areas of opportunities including While Mr. Pachauri Rajendra, the Chairman of the a) Improving livelihood opportunities for poor International panel on climate change, IPCC, said rural people that agriculture and forestry contribute 24% of b) reducing risks in long term food supply green house gases meaning that to reduce this the

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CGIAR holds development dialogue as EAFF call for more engagement with non-researchers such as Farmer Organizations

By Stephen Muchiri

CGIAR must focus on the farmer organizations. He v The EAFF's sponsored EAC Cooperative also noted that the changes we are experiencing in Societies Bill, 2014 and the opportunities this climate change are as a result of human actions as a will present in terms of technology transfer, result we are having among other things rising sea capacity building, information flow and data levels and shifts from food to non-food crops mobilization.Jonathan Wadsworth, the Executive secretary,

v The need for CGIAR to continue its reforms CGIAR fund council said the CGIAR is committed

and consider setting up a platform like the to reach 500 million farmers and as such is working

IFAD's Farmers Forum, where stakeholders on doubling its funding to USD 1 billion.like farmers are able to interrogate and give feed back CGIAR programs and most importantly I took part in the panel on "efficient agricultural create a mutual partnership.technologies and partnerships for sustainable

intensification – focusing on systems research towards development impacts." Other panelists in

Way forwardthis discussion were the Uganda State Minister for Given that CGIAR has been working mostly with Agriculture and the President of Eco-systems and researchers, it was resolved that the consortium landscapes.should engage with non-research stakeholder, In my contribution, I informed the forum the especially Farmer Organizations.following:It was also resolved that CGIAR development

v That there is need for a mindset shift in how we dialogue should be made an annual event

engage the farming community, that is as a partner not a beneficiary, which influences the The writer is the CEO for EAFFdesign and implementation of a project intervention.

v That there is need for researchers to work together with farmer organizations to harness a lot of indigenous knowledge that farmers have utilized and passed on through generations on sustainable agriculture.

v That farmers are of the view all other actors from researchers, governments, NGOs etc 'conspiring' to weaken their institutions hence their approaches to work through fragmenting farmer associations into farmer groups etc as compared to the collective approach of bringing them together into single units.

v That the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, is focusing on professionalizing her secretariat to be able to bridge the gap between the farmer and other actors with a view of enhancing articulation of demands from farmers and processing responses from other actors.


The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, ecosystem issues need a regional dimension and President Mr. Philip Kiriro, want the Incentives therefore need for a policy framework that will for Economic Services, IES, enhanced from encourage development of regional ecosystem services continental to the grassroot levels. Speaking and incentives. Additionally, Kiriro told the forum that during the Food and Agriculture Organization of there is need to develop capacity for rural communities the United Nations, UN/FAO, Policy Advisory to enable them negotiate for Ecosystem Incentive Committee forum held in Rome in June, 2014, the Services.President asked the stakeholders to find ways of EAFF is advancing the Ecosystem Services through enhancing IES at all levels. sustainable agriculture agenda E A F F s i t s i n t h e and other projects already U N / F A O ' s P o l i c y be ing implemented on Advisory Committee. conservational agriculture and

climate smart agriculture. The T h e I n c e n t i ve s f o r Fe d e r a t i o n ' s B i o m a s s Economic Services links initiatives, which she is seeking beneficiaries of the service support from partners targets e.g. private business, with soil fertility, and energy farmers providing them. g enera t ion i s a ma jo r Economic services to contribution to ecosystem agriculture are the services. This initiative is still benefits such as nutritious seeking support from partner.food, clean water, health On behalf of farmers of soils, biodiversity, pest and Africa, who are represented disease control etc which continentally by the Pan s o c i e t i e s g e t f r o m A f r i c a n F a r m e r s e c o s y s t e m s d u e t o Organization, PAFO, EAFF intervention by farmers. requested a couple of The forum which was activities including the need a t tended by var ious for awareness creation to stakeholders such as World discuss concluded case studies Agro-forestry Centre, and other ongoing activities, ICRAF, International sharing on initiatives that Fund for Agriculture farmers are undertaking that Development , IFAD, c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e Universities, governments, private sector, Farmer enhancement of ecosystem services, discussing Organizations, among others, aimed at defining possible partnerships with FAO on Ecosystem project key policy and institutional aspects supporting the and how farmer organizations can enhance the Incentives for Ecosystems Services and how they ecosystem activities through their programs, explore can be best promoted. possibilities of enhancing incentives for ecosystem

services at local, national and sub-regional level and Policy framework also agreeing on how PAFO and FAO can enhance EAFF President raised a number of issues that will cooperation on Ecosystem services moving forward.require follow up including failure to involve

The writer is an Assistant Projects farmers in conducting studies relating to agriculture despite them being the major

Administrator for EAFFstakeholders in the sector. He further noted that

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"Explore possibilities for enhancing Incentives for Ecosystem Services at local, national and regional levels," - EAFF President By Robert Kubai

EAFF president, Philip Kiriro,making a point in the mmeeting

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Agricultural cooperatives are key contributors to agro-pastoral value chains. COPAG offers concrete achieving the goals of improving the livelihoods of services including: i) fair remuneration to small poor rural people, reducing poverty and attaining farmers; ii) a deduction system that allows farmers food security. Through the services they offer to to avoid having to mobilize financial resources to use their members, they can provide invaluable the cooperative services; iii)essential social services assistance in improving small producers' production (access to food staples, medications, school supplies, and incomes. Evidence have demonstrated their support funds for difficulties or occasional events) to potential to link smallholders to markets, accelerate improve the wellbeing of members and limit their the adoption of technologies and inputs, and outside needs on a day-to-day basis.contribute towards self-sustainability through This offer of diverse services increases farmers' engagement in profitable and sustainable agri- feeling of belonging to their organization, and entrepreneurial business. justifies their efforts to supply a quality raw product However, in the East Africa region where and participate actively in the cooperative day-to-day agricultural cooperatives have been in place for activities. The commitment of farmers to regularly nearly 80 years, their impact does not seem to supply good quality products has had a direct impact support that assertion. Many reasons have been on COPAG's business expansion and products advanced from uncommitted members to diversification strategies with the aim of attaining cooperatives' governance and leadership which only new remunerative markets. Finally, the certainty in uses members as justification to access donor membership base has substantially increased funding. These unsolved issues resulted in the COPAG's capacity to innovate and constantly inability of these groups to organize themselves into manage the difficult task of balancing supply and economic force in the society that can drive an demand through a modern technical supervision of agenda. small farmers to improve productivity and quality. Early this year I visited a cooperative in Agadir region COPAG's case shows the interdependency of south of Morocco and I was impressed to see a farmers and their cooperatives. The success of success story worth scaling up, Coóperative Agricole farmers through the assistance received from their (COPAG). It started in 1987 as a small initiative to group translates into the success of the cooperatives. improve the trading position of farmers vis-à-vis COPAG's model is particularly relevant because it intermediary traders and better sell their fruit and allows small farmers to access economic and social dairy products. It is now a cooperative, which is services in the form of an advance. The question is composed of 72 cooperatives, gathering 1500 therefore how do we make this win-win situation producers and involves 129 individual members. works for our cooperatives in the region? COPAG owns an impressive enterprise with different factories for fruit packaging and the production of special dairy products for supermarkets all over Morocco and abroad. Currently the cooperative controls 20 percent market share of dairy products in Morocco.

Agro-pastoral value chainsAlthough we cannot undermine the importance of strong leadership and the leaders' shared vision and commitment in the successful development of COPAG, the most decisive key to success is her ability to offer economic services to her members. With the aim of improving farmers position within

The writer is the Knowledge Management Officerfor EAFF

Morocco's Coóperative Agricole proves that Cooperatives' appropriateness lies in their ability to provide quality economic services to their members

By Norbert Tuyishime

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Early 2014, EAFF carried out organizational rationale for intervention area by EAFF was based Capacity Assessment exercise in her membership as especially if the score was basic and EAFF part of institutional capacity strengthening in intervention was sought. A high score depicted a Farmer Organizations. The initiative was based on perfect organization which had little things to just the EAFF strategic plan majorly focusing on vibrant, adjust and keep up however basic and moderate self-sustained, efficient and effective farmer scores depicted some work needed to be done to organizations' pillar. In addition, it was heavily reach the ideal situation. guided by the ongoing initiative on strengthening Outcomes from the exercise was varied depending farmer organizations through knowledge on capacity area under focus, some member management and learning strategy where one of the organizations showed lower capacity in some areas focus is on sustainable funding and professional than others. The programs and program planning farmer organizations. component scored the lowest in all the 16 Farmer The objectives of the assessment was to among Organizations and therefore more capacity need to others determine the current status of EAFF's be reinforced in such an area. In this area, the major membership organizational capacity and identify capacity areas that were below average were areas that need strengthening, identify appropriate monitoring and evaluation , gender mainstreaming interventions for capacity gaps and develop an action and developing effective programs to attract donor plan to implement the interventions, generate data funding. The human resources component also for use in monitoring and evaluating the progress scored low but mostly internal interventions were made towards excellence and sustainability as well as proposed to fill the gap. collect baseline data on gender mainstreaming at The lessons learnt from this exercise at EAFF level membership level in terms of addressing inequality. was that Leadership need to work together with

secretariat to complement rather than overshadow, Ideals of a farmer organization Staff needed to be motivated to work better within EAFF secretariat staff led by the Human Resource, Fos.Gender & Youth and Finance Officers organized and conducted the assignments in 4 countries Kenya, Lessons learntUganda, Tanzania and Rwanda covering 16 targeted Before project inception, there needs to be a clear member organizations. A tailor made questionnaire understanding on deliverable areas and plans on how befitting farmer organizations at the national level to get there and membership need to be more was administered by the EAFF secretariat through 3 involved within their organizations decision making. approaches; individual assessment, group Lessons learnt at the National Farmer Organization assessment and joint development of the action level was that there are various capacity areas that plans to address capacity gaps. needed improvement to effectively run better, there During the process, a component on the ideals of a was cross learning among various departments farmer organization came up to act as a benchmark within the organization that the organization to run of what is currently happening within farmer effectively it had to become a unit/team effort not organizations and what the ideal situation should be. individualism and also there was need to establish The assessment exercises focused on governance working relationship between the leadership of the and legal structure, financial management and organization and the secretariat to speak a common internal control systems, program management, voice. project performance management, organizational Some of the challenges in the exercise by both EAFF management, human resource systems and secretariat and EAFF membership was that the time administration and procurement systems. was a bit short. At the secretariat side it was a bit of a The capacity areas were based on scores where challenge to reach all membership due to spatial scores ranged from high to basic scores. The challenges.

EAFF conducts comprehensive Organizational Capacity Assessment in her members for their transformation

By Norbert Tuyishime

EAFF has developed an inst i tut ional farmer organization. EAFF believes, that when these strengthening plan for the region (i.e. per member capacity areas are filled there is high likelihood of organization) we need to help the member having effective farmer organizations that will be able organizations to address their capacity gap areas to to deliver quality and viable services to memberships become an ideal farmer organization. EAFF therefore lifting them from poverty. consistent with the new orientation of

The writer is the Knowledge Management Officercommercialization and economic services to for EAFFmembers will continue to assist her membership

through various mechanisms - coaching and peer learning model among others to allow them address these systemic gaps to become an ideal

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The African Union, AU, want strengthening of capacities and access to productive resources for Public-Private-Partnerships, PPP, to enhance more effective agribusiness transformation.financing and investment in the agricultural sector. The participants said that the main issues of In June, 2014, the AU held an Africa Agri-Business concern are the poor organization of the private forum in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea, to enable sector at various levels. It was recommended as an stakeholders in the agriculture sector discuss and immediate action, to profile and identity existing develop concrete strategies for realization of the private sector Apex Organizations and the way recommendations by the AU Joint Conference of they are structured to inform organization of Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development, private sector organization of sub-regional and Fisheries and Aquaculture on enhancing PPP and continental level with a view of ensuring strong investment financing for agriculture. In the representation of Agribusiness sector. Another

rdmeeting which was held alongside the 23 ordinary meeting will be organized to zero in on more session of the Assembly of the Heads of States and priority actions and especially the need for a well Governments, the Eastern Africa Farmers structured agribusiness institution at the African Federation, EAFF, was represented by her Union level.President Mr. Philip Kiriro.

Effective partnership The main objectives of the one week forum, was deliberating with stakeholders on how to strength domestic Africa private sector platforms and regional platform organizations for effective partnership towards scaling up domestic private sector investment in Africa and also how to strengthen women and youth engagement and empowerment in agribusiness – mobilization,

AU seeks enhancement of Public-Private-Partnerships for agriculture financing and investment

The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, has behalf of the Federation. In the Board membership been nominated in the management of Board of the are the Vice Chancellors of member Universities.Regional Universities Forum For Capacity ROFORUM is a consortium of 42 universities Building in Agriculture, RUFORUM, to represent from 19 countries whose mandate is to oversee East and Central Africa farmers. This nomination graduate training and networks of specialization in came during RUFORUM's Biennial Conference member countries and universities contributing to held in Maputo, Mozambique, in July, 2014. EAFF economic development.President, Mr. Philip Kiriro, will sit in the Board on

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EAFF nominated to represent East & Central Africa farmers in RUFORUM Board

By Robert Kubai

and awareness of best practices and existing Grow Africa in May, 2014 held World Economic initiatives, Grow Africa is a partnership platform Forum for Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, in a forum that seeks to accelerate investment and whose aim was to organize an innovative learning transformative change in African agriculture based platform across the Grow Africa countries to share on national agricultural priorities and in support of best practice and provide mutual value to all the the CAADP, a program of African Union's stakeholders. Tasked with the role of increasing NEPAD.private sector investments, enabling multi-The aim of the workshop was to organize an stakeholder partnerships, expanding knowledge

EAFF takes centre stage at World Economic Forum for Africa as Grow Africa moves to unlock private sector investments in climate smart agricultureBy Robert Kubai

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innovative learning platform across the Grow 60% of the world's remaining uncultivated farmland, Africa countries to share best practice and Africa could prove to be the key in realizing a global provide mutual value to all the stakeholders. agriculture system to help deliver food security to a

projected 9 billion people in 2050. this is against the EAFF CEO, Stephen Muchiri fact that the latest reports from the Intergovernmental In the workshop whose goal was to define a pre- Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict increased competitive agenda of all stakeholders to risk and likelihood of more intense droughts, floods, overcome gaps to unlock private sector and heat waves that will create water supply and food investments in climate smart agriculture, the insecurities in Africa and have implications to the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, was food system around the world. While the risk is represented in the meeting by the CEO, Mr. mounting, examples of cross-sector collaboration Stephen Muchiri, who was among the panelists and partnerships are helping to strengthen production discussing the topic "Climate Smart methods and design innovative financing models to Agriculture." Other panel members discussing help build economic resilience and adaptation to this topic were: Sean de Cleene, Senior Vice- projected climate impacts.President, Global Initiatives, Strategy and The recommendation from this session were that Business Development, Yara International ASA, there is need to develop and document more pro-poor Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director-General, and scale-able climate smart agriculture Swed i sh In t e rna t iona l Deve lopmen t technologies; Agriculture should take centre stage in Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Pedro Sanchez, the next COP meeting; there is need for political Director, Agriculture and Food Security Center, leadership to ensure that we have policies and The Earth Institute, Columbia University, investments that promote Climate Smart Agriculture, Douglas Brew, Director, Communications, CSA; the need to develop innovative partnerships Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Living, around CSA and that the investors should use the Uni lever Afr ica , Naty Barak, Chief value chain approach to CSA to ensure meaningful Sustainability Officer, NETAFIM Ltd, James and sustainable impacts of their investments.Nyoro, Special Advisor to the President of EAFF CEO informed the forum that the Federation Kenya and Jennifer Baarn, Deputy Chief has carried out a couple of climate change adaptation Executive Officer Southern Agricultural studies which he was asked to share with the other as a Corridor Tanzania (SAGCOT). step towards identifying scalable technologies.

The writer is an Assistant Projects Global agriculture systemThis session highlighted established and

Administrator for EAFFemerging models of cooperation and share experiences and lessons learned, while noting that Africa has the potential to be the future break-basket of the world and endowed with over one quarter of the world's arable land, and

This media strategy gives the Eastern Africa communicating research messages when there are Farmers Federation, EAFF, an opportunity to success stories in particular. But journalists have the purposefully build and manage a public image and potential to be more of an agent of change themselves. relationships with the media in a more consistent They are in quite a unique position, potentially being manner. Therefore, this EAFF media strategy the voice of policymakers, the voice of farmers, the provides a rationale for such action, identifies the voice of researchers. target constituencies, what kind of media to use to Agricultural extension in Africa is very limited, so reach them, the kinds of information and farmers have to depend on the media to deliver messages needed and who to give them voice and information. The media can also provide a platform or perhaps face. through which the farmers can engage with EAFF realizes that deliberate and consistent use policymakers, so that their perspectives can be taken on of the media should ideally assist in realizing the board and profile the work of farmers so that lessons kind of environment that facilitates realization of and experiences can be shared.the essential partnerships and networks that can

Engaging with the mediaenable EAFF to be an efficient advocate for the region's farming community, enable EAFF to Agricultural projects should have journalists or media attract the needed resources to enable it become a people as stakeholders in the process, and that vibrant, dynamic effective, efficient an self provision should be made for them, like you make sustaining organization, enable the Federation to provision for other members of the team.grow into a dynamic regional platform for policy The media needs to be engaged more as a partner at the development advocacy and also to enable her grow beginning, during the work and at the end and not as a into a functional knowledge hub for farmer special invitee to events, seminars and openings.development in the EAC region. To enhance the visibility of EAFF, its member

organizations must first and foremost be equipped with Media has a potentially broader role in raising the the capacities to make mass communication a tool of profile of agriculture amongst decision-makers as trade.well as the wider public, and in communicating This should also be done through inclusion of Media farmers' needs.Houses or specifically identified Agriculture and/or

Communication for agriculture is not seen as a science writers to make them identify with the EAFF major priority at either national, regional or communication Strategy.international level and the role of the media as an

EAFF has a media Strategy which will be implemented effective player in agricultural and rural in 2015 through training of Media/Communication development is undervalued.officers of EAFF members in various spheres.

Role of journalists

The media is crucial in helping farmers access the The writer is EAFF's information that they need and transmitting their Communication Officerconcerns. Media personnel about breaking news, they are not about partnering with, nor facilitating the agricultural sector. Journalists should be able to find and tell good stories.

The Journalists are not specialists in agriculture. they have journalistic skills and use those skills to bring information to the wider public.

Traditionally the use of the media has been about

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EAFF develops Media Strategy By Stella Kamuyu

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Over the past few years, Eastern Africa Farmers 7 billion world population, employing about 200 Federation, EAFF, has spearheaded a campaign million people directly; which converts to about 2 culminating with a regional legislation on Co- billion being direct and indirect beneficiaries found operatives before the Eastern Africa Legislative in agricultural sector; consumer/retailers; Assembly, EALA. The Bill, drafted under cooperative banks; insurance and savings and credit sponsorship of EAFF by a Member of Parliament unions (SACCOS); service cooperatives, such as for the regional Assembly representing Uganda is public transport, rural electrification, healthcare and now on the stage where public views, opinions and housing, among others. In some parts of the world, understanding are sough. Recently in Kenya, the good legislations have helped continued growth and public opinions and deliberations took place at a prosperity in the cooperative sector, that is, Nairobi hotel where various groups and individuals cooperatives control 90% of Scandinavian dairy participated. Due to the energy and vigor with which production, 95% of Japanese rice harvests, 75% of the Federation has been pushing for the passage of Canadian grain and oilseed output and 60% of the bill, I have been compelled to view on what are Italian wine production.Cooperatives, what they represent and have achieved C o o p e r a t i v e m o v e m e n t i n A f r i c aand now the legislative bottlenecks that limit their Modern Cooperatives were introduced in African production and how they will be addressed. during the colonial era by the colonial governments. Co-operative Movement started during the Unlike in the West where there was little government Industrial Revolution in England and specifically at involvement in their starting, in Africa, they were Manchester. The workers were being exploited by initiated by the colonial governments. This was a way the new industrial owners and this led them to form of helping the colonial farmers arrange for inputs Trade Unions to fight for better employment terms. and marketing of their produce. It eventually became Within a short time, pressure to send money to their a method of introducing the African into the cash families in rural England started to build up. Being economy. It also helped in raising taxes; and in unable to meet this new demand from their own protecting the farmers from being exploited by individual incomes people started to pull their financial institutions and middlemen. The ex-British resources together in order to meet the demand. countries developed a more traditional Cooperative That is how the Cooperative Movement. Movement as opposed to the French colonial Therefore, a cooperative society is an institution administration, which developed a more within whose framework cooperation of joint State/Parastatal-type of cooperatives. Cooperative activities by people take place in formalized, long departments existed in the British system, while term, deliberate and specific form in the social and cooperative work in the French system was carried economic spheres of human endeavor. In other out by general administration. That is why even words, it is an organization formed with the primary today, modern cooperative is less developed in the objective of promoting the economic interests of its Francophone than Anglophone countries. Over the members by means of a common enterprise. The years, the African governments have helped and Cooperative Movement, through the International encouraged the setting up of cooperative societies Co-operative Alliance, ICA, has developed and unions through appropriate policies, laws, internationally acceptable key values and principles education and training. Having gone through a bad such as self help, self responsibility, democracy, period during the 1990s when Structural Adjustment equality and equity, right to participation and Policies were introduced by the donor Community in solidarity. Cooperatives have business model places like Kenya, many cooperative institutions incorporating the best aspects of capitalism and the collapsed. Things have however changed during the best of socialism that have been in existence for the last decade with new laws and regulations being last two centuries. The Cooperative Movement introduced and by having a better educated membership is about 1 billion out of a population of leadership.

Evolution of Cooperative MovementBy Joshua Bariu

National savings schools in some countries – like the once famous However, uninformed laws on regulations and Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union which owned a governance of cooperatives continue to injure famous secondary school near Moshi (at Lyamungu). their growth. In Kenya, 30% of all national savings Another example is Uganda's Kataayi Multi-purpose are held by the SACCO. The Movement employs Cooperative Society owned secondary school.more 250,000 persons in country directly and Kenya's Vision 2030 expects the sector to put up 25% many more indirectly. It would be impossible to of all new houses, both residential and commercial. develop rural and urban areas without SACOOs. Many houses in rural areas have been put up by If cooperatives did not exist, there are many who cooperative societies or funding. Major buildings in would be unemployed and under-employed. The urban areas are also owned by the Movement. The range of employment is from the basic unskilled National Housing Cooperative Union (NACHU) farm and factory workers to high skilled which is a member of the Cooperative Alliance of executives. Kenya, CAK, which is a member of the Eastern Africa Currently, one is able to pursue higher education in Farmers Federation, has been at the centre slum cooperative studies education at institutions such dwellers housing programme. It has organized slum as Moshi University College of Cooperative and dwellers into cooperatives and has helped many own Business Studies in Tanzania, and Kenya's properties around Nairobi. NACHU also helps many in Cooperative University College at Karen, Nairobi. arranging mortgages, from local and external resources. There are also many colleges offering Certificate It also provides funds for rehabilitation of existing and Diploma level education in many countries. In semi-permanent units.addition, many people have gone to school, The writer is a media consultantcourtesy of the Cooperative Movement, who pay for EAFFfees directly, or their members pay from their cooperative earnings. Cooperatives also own

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Dairy sector 'uncompetitive' In view of the above, TAMPA, with the financial support Dairy is recognised as one of the strategic economic from Best-AC, initiated an advocacy project in May, 2012 sectors in Tanzania. The policy framework encourages to put pressure on the government to improve the tax commercialisation of dairy activities to achieve an environment for milk processors in Tanzania.efficient and internationally competitive sector. However, Fortunately, after the workshop and following the initial the general performance of the industry is still lobbying efforts, the government amended the Finance uncompetitive. Act, 2012 to provide for a VAT rate of zero percent on all This situation recently attracted a number of stakeholders milk and milk products produced by local processors,

stto take various measures to address different challenges using local raw materials (raw milk) with effect from 1 facing the sector. Over the past decade, the Tanzania Milk July, 2012.Processors Association (TAMPA) in collaboration with The decision on VAT zero rating was considered as the other dairy stakeholders has been advocating FOR the most important step in the improvement of the milk promotion and growth of the sector by addressing industry and its role in the economy.challenges affecting the dairy value chain. As a result of this, all processors can now claim full input Some of the initiatives implemented by TAMPA cover tax paid on all materials, purchases and expenses like regulations, development of the value chain, marketing electricity, transport and security. The apportionment of milk and other tax-related issues. does not apply when the zero rating applies.Among the issues which milk processors have been Fresh worriescomplaining about is high tax, particularly value added tax Unfortunately, TAMPA has been informed that in the (VAT) charged on milk equipments, machinery, packaging 2014/2015 financial budget, the government intends to materials, milk and milk products compared with other introduce a new VAT Act to replace the current VAT Act EAC countries. Cap. 148. It has been further noted that the intended new Government response VAT Act will not recognise the VAT zero rating treatment Following TAMPA and other stakeholders' initiative to of milk and milk products and exemption on all dairy press the government to reduce Value Added Tax, VAT, equipment, machineries and packaging materials on equipment and dairy products, the government provided in the year 2009/2010.responded positively. The Association's members and other dairy stakeholders In 2009, the government introduced additional have observed that the VAT zero rating of milk and milk exemptions by amending the Second Schedule to the VAT products and exemptions on dairy machinery should be Act to include equipment's, such as heat insulated cooling given adequate time to operate so that its advantages and tanks and aluminium jerry cans. benefits may be noticed. A year later, the government reduced the cost of Considering the fact that many processors are still producing milk and milk products by declaring additional investing in new technologies such as UHT, sterilise, milk VAT exemptions. They included exemptions on milk bottle packaging machines and procuring more milk from pumps, milk hoses, milk pasteurisers, homogenisers, and farmers, the new VAT Actscraps the zero rating, it will cheese pressers and several other equipment and discourage further investments and hinder development packaging materials. of the dairy sector.Even with these changes, manufacturers of milk and milk TAMPA recommends that the new VAT Act should products still argued that they were not competitive retain the zero rating status of milk and milk products and compared to fellow manufacturers in Kenya and Uganda. all exemptions. Also, the government should be so They urged the government to charge these products zero advised in order to encourage and support the milk VAT to enable them reduce the cost of producing them, industry. produce more in terms of volume and quality and attract It has been decided that Tampa and all other dairy more buyers. stakeholders should pursue this matter by making Campaign pays off appropriate presentations to all relevant levels of the Tampa and it members took up the matter with the government which handle fiscal policies and tax reforms.government of Tanzania asking for a better VAT The writer is an Agricultural journalisttreatment of milk products and equipment so as to for the Guardian Newspaper, Tanzaniasupport the industry.

'Don't reintroduce VAT on dairy products, equipment'By Angel Navuri

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The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, EAFF, Head In the same office, EAFF will host the Pan African

offices have been moved from Rhapta Road, Westlands in Farmers Organization, PAFO.

Nairobi, Kenya to Kikuyu Town, Thogoto-Mutarakwa The office can be easily accessed from the Jomo Kenyatta

Road, Kiambu County, Kenya. International Airport, JKIA, through the newly

The premises where EAFF offices have moved to is constructed Southern bypass.

owned by the Kenya National Farmers Federation,

KENAFF, which is one of the EAFF members

organisations in Kenya.

EAFF relocates her offices

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EASTERN AFRICAN FARMERS’ FEDERATION

CONTACTSEastern Africa Farmers Federation

P.O. Box 13747-00800, NAIROBI, KENYATele/fax: +254-20-4451691

E-mail:[email protected] Website: www.eaffu.org

Kikuyu Town, Thogoto-Mutarakwa Road

Voice of Farmers’ in Eastern Africa

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eaff november 2014 newletter - grow africa...livestock support program in africa known as strategy...

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