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About farmer-to-farmer Farmers constituencies AgriPool Mapping Profiling

Profiling

At organisation level, support under the Farmers Fighting Poverty is based on a solid understanding of specific farmers’ organisation’s dynamics. Within the different agri-agencies very similar methods are used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of farmers’ organisations. The “profiling” method (or similar methods used) is promoted by Farmers Fighting Poverty.

Project outcomes are monitored by profiling the farmers’ organisations involved. This exercise entails evaluating strengths and weaknesses on the basis of a number of indicators. Data are collected both directly by agri-agencies and with participation from the organisations.

Besides showing the evolving strengths and weaknesses for any given organisation, the profile is the basis on which a farmers’ organisation can build its further organisational development. The indicators used cover eight areas:

  1. Representation = extent and relevance of external relations and alliances with other stakeholders
  2. Participation = degree of involvement of farmers in policy and decision making
  3. Accountability = leaders report to farmers – farmers control the organisation
  4. Strategic potential = capacity to pursue long-term goals in service provision and strategy development
  5. Professional capacity = expertise and implementation capacity
  6. Gender = women membership, participation and involvement in external relations
  7. Income diversification = ability to generate own income compared to external resources
  8. Representativity = membership base within the potential and relevant farmers’ constituency

The first six are presented in the form of a polygon or spider map. A well-balanced organisation will produce a regular hexagon. Successive profiles can be superimposed on a baseline profile, and changes can easily be seen in terms of the polygon’s changing shape.

In 2007-2009, 133 profilings were realised. The results of all performed profilings are available on Agro-Info.Net.

Through profiling activities, farmers’ organisations and agri-agencies establish and maintain clear communication channels: it has been observed that the growth processes of a farmers’ organisation are improved by constructive and open dialogue, with the supporting agri-agency.