Recent Evaluation

Evaluative research by the Royal Tropical Institute (2008) on the support program of AgriCord, has shed light on the lessons learnt in the support of organized farming. The research included to assess the wishes among farm leaders with regards to the type of desired support. The results underscore the agri-agencies' approach in economic development at grass root level and for investments in economic 'pilote learning by doing' activities of farmers' organisations, apart from institutional and organisational strengthening.

 

The evaluation came up with more general conclusions and recommendations as well: 

 

  • The potential of strengthening farmers' organisations for poverty reduction was confirmed and the attention or intended attention that farmer organisations want to give in future to specific vulnerability aspects and to specific groups was stressed (such as gender, land tenure, young farmers and HIV/AID). 
  • The need to understand better the poverty context and the role of agriculture for poverty reduction, and the need for more specific monitoring of pro poor aspects in projects and programs was brought forward. 
  • The need of alignment of support projects with the strategic plans of PO's was confirmed, PO's needing to be in the driver’s seat when developing and implementing projects. 
  • Need for increased political independence and institutional capacity building of the farmers' organisations was confirmed, with specific attention to younger generations. 
  • Need of more intensive inclusion of all local and national farmer steered organisations and initiatives within the efforts for support to PO's. 
  • The need for multi stakeholder involvement and the need of the voice of farmers for the proper focus of this process, especially at grassroots level. 
  • The need for strengthened interaction of PO's at sub regional level. 
  • The concern to position and take into account the role of emerging Southern Agri agencies. 

 

The conclusions of the evaluation reorient the general development cooperation approach in a direction of more coordinated efforts (including locally grown service delivery), for: 

 

  • strengthening the pro-poor local economic strategies of farmer organisations; 
  • including promotion of the development of their role in the market and as entrepreneurs; 
  • strengthening their independent position towards stakeholders and donors at regional, national and local levels.