Word from our President

Building a stronger international alliance for strengthening producer organisations in developing countries

2007 was the first year of "Farmers Fighting Poverty", our comprehensive effort in support of producer organisations throughout the world. In 2007, AgriCord finalised its first major programme on Farmers' Organisations and Trade Capacity Development. This is a strong supporting framework for farmers' organisations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The 2007 regional meetings of IFAP, in Cotonou, Lima and Hanoï, generated inputs and guidance for this development work. Farmers' organisations and agri-agencies in Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden have consistently increased their efforts to provide adequate resources to farmers' organisations in developing countries. Austrian, Australian, German and Norwegian Farmers' organisations are exploring new or renewed involvement. The backbone of "Farmers Fighting Poverty" is still supported by the Government of the Netherlands. In 2007, broader back donor support was granted by the Governments of Canada, Finland and Sweden, and by IFAD. 

On this basis, 35 farmers' organisations developed their trade capacities, and 115 organisations were able to mobilise resources through "Farmers Fighting Poverty". In 2007 indeed, 152 projects were contracted with 115 farmers' organisations in 47 developing countries. At the same time, IFAP started a major effort in coordinating the dynamics of producer organisations in different regions of the world, and in linking smallholder farmers to markets. 

This is farmers' work for farmers, from all parts of the world. Our challenge is to mobilise real added value in the development work and in the fight against poverty. Strong farmers' organisations are essential for development and for democracy. We remain determined to mobilise adequate resources to match their plans and their legitimate ambitions.

All this is work in progress. We thank you for taking interest in our activities, and we will certainly appreciate your ideas and comments. You can contact me directly at laurent.pellerin@agricord.org.

Laurent Pellerin

President of AgriCord