- Date: 2 December 2025
- Time: 15:00 – 17:00 (UTC+2, SAST)
- Platform: Zoom
- Register here: Link
Power Dynamics in Farmer-Led Research
Farmer-led research is reshaping how we understand agricultural innovation in Africa. When farmers are positioned as co-creators of knowledge rather than passive recipients, research becomes more relevant, equitable, and transformative. Yet, power dynamics between farmers’ organisations, researchers, and agri-agencies continue to influence whose priorities guide research design, data collection, and decision-making.
As the Farmers’ Organisations led Reasearch and Innovation (FO-RI) programme advances its mission to strengthen farmers’ leadership in innovation systems, this webinar will explore how partnerships can be made more transparent, fair, and mutually beneficial.
Together with leading experts and farmer representatives, we will examine:
- How power relations shape partnerships in farmer-led research
- Strategies for improving equity, trust-building, and co-creation
- Practical ways to apply the FO-RI Partnership Principles in collaborative research
- Lessons emerging from research teams working across Africa
Speakers
Opening Remarks
Mr. Ishmael SUNGA, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU)
Ms. Katja VUORI, AgriCord
Mentimeter Warm-Up (Word Cloud)
How equitable do you think current research partnerships with farmers are?
Keynote Presentation
Trust, Power, and Knowledge: Building Equitable Research Partnerships in Agroecology
Mr. Martin AGBOTON, FO-RI Manager, AgriCord
Q&A Session
Moderator: Dr. COMPAORE Eveline
Panel Discussion
Balancing Power and Building Trust in Research Partnerships
Panelists:
Ms. Elisabeth ATANGANA, President, CNOPCAM
Mr. Alessandro MESCHINELLI, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Dr. Birgit HABERMANN, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Moderator
Dr. Compaore EVELINE, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA/CNRST) – Burkina Faso
Closing Remarks
Mr. Ishmael SUNGA, SACAU
Ms. Katja VUORI, AgriCord
This session forms the third part of the FO-RI Webinar Series, co-organised by AgriCord, SACAU, and partners. Join us to exchange perspectives and strengthen equitable cooperation between farmers’ organisations and research institutions.
