CIFA aims at creating a platform for the Indian farmers associations at the national level through formation of a cohesive functional organization for effective lobby of farmers issues at different levels of the government structures This proposal is a follow up/continuation of the project 08cf-5160, the first project contract between CIFA and Agriterra. CIFA has as main goal to enhance the reach of CIFA expand its membership/network base. At present CIFA claims to have 390 farmer organisations as "member". CIFA want to increase this to 550 farmers organisations and further strengthen the network; create a better and pro farmer policy environment; further strengthen the 5 commodity associations at national and state level; empower farmers organisations and support their growth; train farmers on new technologies; promote women farmers activities; improved national and international networking and partnerships.

Consortium of Indian Farmers Association (CIFA) was formally established and registered in January 2006. It has the ambitious aim to unite and empower all 600 million farmers (via their associations) of India. Its core business will be to act as a representative of Indian farmers; to create awarenes on te important role of agriculture; establish forums to support the case of farmers and deal with patent rights and WTO. Main activities to be partially funded by Agriterra, partially CIFA funding: 1. National farmers conference 2008 2. Lobbying interaction meetings with parliament members 3. Commodity group exchange and networking with market chain 4. Human resource development of national and state level farmers leaders being member of CIFA 5. Formation of state level commodity associations ( in 6 states) Commodity specific meetings