La Brigittographie*



Mary Afan, Nigerian smallholder farmer, making comments on Nigeria's national agricultural investment plan. © Youjin Brigitte Chung

 (For those who are not familiar with CAADP, it is a process led by African governments to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty through agriculture-led development.)
 

 “Policy makers have a habit of leaving straight after opening ceremonies of such meetings. How could they relate with the real problems facing the rural people like us?” – Adu Yarima Charles, Association of Small-Scale Agro-Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN)

This legitimate question hit home with everyone in the meeting room and shaped the way the smallholder farmers, pastoralists, youth, private sector, research institutes, governments and donors interacted with each other throughout the three day meeting. The overwhelming consensus was that smallholder farmers can no longer remain invisible to policymakers. 

Women smallholders are often invisible to policymakers. © Youjin Brigitte Chung

One of the greatest outcomes of this meeting was that governments and donors alike acknowledged and confirmed the pivotal role of Non State Actors (NSAs, which include farmers/producers, consumers, private sector, women’s groups, NGOs, research institutions and etc) in working alongside governments to implement the CAADP agenda.
 

 “I believe NSAs play an active role in CAADP’s implementation. ECOWAS will support the outcomes of this very important meeting and complement ECOWAS’ agricultural policy.” – Mr Ernest Aubee, Principal Programme Officer and Head of Agriculture of the Economic Community of West African States 

“Engagement of NSAs is pursued as an important target for the African Union Commission (AUC). More assertive NSAs are challenging both the AUC and development partners for greater voice and representation in CAADP-related fora.  With shared responsibility and increased visibility, NSAs have a significant role in supporting African governments’ shared goal of achieving agricultural development.” – Dr Janet Edeme, Acting Head of Rural Economy Division of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission

These statements, however, cannot remain on paper only. As NSAs strive to work alongside governments, constructively challenging them – governments themselves need to recognise NSAs as equal and mutually accountable partners on the road to CAADP and to sustainable development at large.