The Section of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Technical Advisory Service (TAS), Danida/Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) hereby have the pleasure of inviting you to the conference onFarmer Empowerment: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward5 January 2004, 13.00-15.30 Danish Institute for International Studies Main Auditorium, Pakhuset, ground floor Strandgade 71, 1401 Copenhagen K Background For many years, the roles and rights of farmers were neglected by governments and donors and farmers had little or no influence in the formulation of national agricultural policies or involvement in the management of agricultural programmes affecting their livelihoods. The situation has changed somewhat in recent years with ‘farmer empowerment’ emerging as an important instrument for agricultural development. It has become an integral part of the policies of many international development organisations, bilateral donors such as Danida, and international NGOs in their support to agricultural and rural development. However, a consistent strategy supported by concrete activities that might contribute to the empowerment of farmers is still lacking in the design and implementation of projects and programmes. In late 2003, TAS.1/Danida requested DIIS to undertake a study on ‘Farmer Empowerment: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward.’ One aim of the study is to stimulate debate resulting in ‘good practices’ as to how development agencies can support farmer empowerment in a sustainable way and to facilitate the work of farmer organisations in agricultural development. At the conference, the report will be presented briefly followed by discussions aimed at exploring how its findings and recommendations might be used in future work. The report concludes that support for the mobilisation and strengthening of farmer organisations can be an effective means to farmer empowerment in general, but in its recommendations points to the importance amongst others of: - Combining actions directed at the individual farmer with others directed at the ‘opportunity structures’ that shape their capacities to act. - Strengthening linkages between farmer organisations to secure greater success and sustainability of outcomes targeted with farmer empowerment interventions. - Stressing sustainability of farmer organisations in planning and provision of donor support and in preparing a clear exit strategy. - Placing mechanisms to ensure that support to farmer organisations remains inclusive of the interests of the poor. - Directing activities at policy change, the better implementation of policy and general support for more effective, efficient, accountable and equitable governance responsive to farmers’ demands. Download report (pdf, 298 KB) Download annexes to report (pdf, 309 KB) Practical information The conference language will be English. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by e-mail to event@diis.dk no later than 3 January 2005 at 12.00 noon. Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation. Please include name, title and organisation (all in English) as well as your e-mail address in your registration. Conference Programme (as of 16 Dec. 2004) 13.00 Registration and coffee 13.15 Why is Farmer Empowerment Important? Jørgen G. Jensen, Chief Advisor, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Section BFT, Danida 13.25 Background and Development Context of Farmer Empowerment Esbern Friis-Hansen, Senior Researcher, Dept. of Development Research, DIIS 13.35 Analytical Approach of Policy Study Neil Webster, Head of Department, Dept. of Development Research, DIIS 13.45 Core Findings and Future Steps of Policy Study Sanne Chipeta, Senior International Adviser, DAAS 14.00 Coffee break 14.15 Discussion Chaired by Steen Folke, Senior Researcher, Dept. of Development Research, DIIS 15.30 End of the conference |
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