There is global recognition that hunger and the cycle of poverty in Africa are two of the most significant development challenges that the world faces today. Studies have shown agriculture to be the most effective driver of growth in the world’s poorest countries. In this regard, farmers in Africa face many challenges, including land distribution, market constraints, access to affordable technologies and practices that work with on-farm resources, such as soil and water management, biodiversity conservation strategies, and mixed cropping. African farmers hold a diverse knowledge base and have achieved a rich and diverse agricultural landscape. Increasing investment in agricultural infrastructure, post harvest losses, education, training and research are key to achieving economically, socially and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems that will improve the quality of life for farmers and farming communities in Africa.

The African committee meets once every year. It brings together all the member organisations and operates on the principle of one vote per country. At these meetings the committee sets its priories and every second year the committee elects the president, vice president and three members of the board.

Aims
The African committee acts as a forum in which leaders of national farmers’ organisations can meet to:

• Highlight mutual interests and take co-ordinated action to further such interests
• Develop an understanding of the farmers problems at the regional level
• Exchange information, experiences and ideas.
• Keep members informed of international events of concern to them as farmers organisations
• Act as recognised platform for farmers organisations, bringing the concern of agricultural producers to the attention of regional and international meetings of governments and other bodies.

Functions
The African farmers committee focuses on improving the position of farmers in a rapidly changing worldwide environment, characterized by globalization and changes in the overall Agricultural sector. The main functions are:

• Lobby and advocacy in recognition of farmers contribution to the well-being of mankind
• Advocating for family farm as the basis of a sustainable system of Agriculture, for today and in the future.
• Pressing for farm policies to achieve food security, poverty eradication and opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable income from farming.
• Promoting the best practices resulting from scientific and technological progress, in order to achieve high levels of food safety and food quality throughout the food chain and conservation of the natural resource base.
• Strengthening the position of the farmers faced with challenges of liberalization and market access.

The African farmers are in a special position due to changes in world trade rules and the demand put on them to compete in the world market. This is a special issue the farmers have to deal with due to the multifuctionality of Agriculture in Africa, to satisfy, economic, livelihood and social needs of up to 75% of the population.

African Farmers' Organizations' Declaration on the GCARD Regional Face-to-Face Consultation held in Accra, Ghana Oct 7, 2009

Last Committee Meeting Documents - Nairobi, Kenya, April 22-25, 2009

• Proceedings Report
• Overall Recommendations