EASTERN AFRICA FARMERS FEDERATION EAFF Constrains and opportunities

EASTERN AFRICA FARMERS FEDERATION (EAFF) Constrains and opportunities in local and Regional Markets The Voice of Farmers of Eastern Africa Vision ''Prosperous and cohesive Eastern Africa farmers community” Mission “Represent, lobby and advocate for farmers interests and build their capacities. ” By Stephen Muchiri CEO-EAFF Eastern Africa Farmers Federation CTA BRIEFINGS East Africa UGANDA NOV. 2010 www. eaffu. org; info@eaffu. org; Nairobi, Kenya 12/13/2021 1

outline n About EAFF n Agriculture situation in EA n Challenges in Agriculture trade – national and regional n Opportunities – national and regional n What EAFF is doing n What also needs to be done n Why FOs model needs to be supported 12/13/2021 2

Who is EASTERN AFRICA FARMERS FEDERATION? n Are a sub-Regional FO in 10 countries, HQ’d in Nairobi, Kenya n Are a Democratic organization, voluntary membership n Promote farmers interests on markets; productivity; capacity; information, R. I. n Strategic plan, constitution; governance structures n Networks with research, AAS, RFOs, RECs, NGOs, Int. partners 12/13/2021 3

Agriculture situation –in EA n characterized by low productivity; rain fed; traditional farming methods n Low input use, subsistence, poorly organized markets, few developed value chains n Poor fragmented small holders; land tenure issues; low specialization; low technology uptake and use; poor market information systems; low infrastructure devpt n Despite this, small holders - >70% local markets; 50% export markets n Increased urbanization – changing eating habits / high meat consumption/ high low income population; segmented (few) high income population n Decreasing ODA (15% 70 s-5% 2007)- Low government funding; poor representation of FOs to major national/regional policy discussions; selective local-private sector investment n FDI agric-industrial production; energy demands (compete with hydro) n National Agriculture policy not implemented fully, regional EAC policy dormant , now CAADP 12/13/2021 4

Challenges in Agriculture Trade n National n Consistency in supply- low productivity, seasonality n Markets are not well organized – informal, demand not known n Agriculture tax – cess n Infrastructure – roads, storage, n Low value addition – n Inaccessible credit – interests too high, no credit products n Risk mitigation – calamities not covered, products still at pilot stage n n Agriculture Market Information Systems not well developed, not pro-poor; for traders Government policy – huge imports and mismanaged subsidies distort markets 12/13/2021 5

Challenges in Agriculture Trade n National n Poverty levels still high n High urbanization – mushrooming of slums---poor hygiene and food standards affecting quality of traded products n Level of competitiveness still low - cheap imports compete with local production n Literacy levels still very low in rural areas 12/13/2021 6

Challenges in Agriculture Trade n Regional n Customs procedures not well known by farmers/ 1 stop border posts not implemented n Opportunities of customs union, common market, FTA protocols unknown n Government policies- export banns (Tz in 2009) n Inter-connectivity of road networks poor – Kenya/ Ethiopia; work in progress Arusha/Nairobi n NTBs still a problem n High energy costs – electricity, fuel---impacts on prices n Insecurity and instability – somalia, sudan n Few known service providers n MIS and ICT poor in many countries 12/13/2021 7

Challenges in Agriculture Trade n Regional n Globalization –WTO- EPAs (agriculture trade), climate change, financial markets downturn, Food tax n Prevalence of disease – due to climate change, meningitis belt is expanding; HIV AIDS n Slow implementation of regional policies – EAC Agriculture policies, regional parliament not being strong enough n Quality, standards and SPS issues n Consistency in supply to meet tenders 12/13/2021 8

Opportunities in Agriculture Trade n National & Regional n Population increment – ESA has over 420 million people > 25% in urban areas n Improving incomes in some countries-more buying power n Infrastructure development in high gear thanks to Chinese inv. n More activitism- corruption reports, business climax index reports; media n More studies in improving trade, removal of NTBs n Attention to agriculture at all levels – funds set aside for entrepreneurship n Affirmative action to encourage women and youth into agriculture n A lot of technologies being developed; crop / animal improvements n Communication flows –internet, mobile telephony n Value addition opportunities are broad 12/13/2021 9

Opportunities in Agriculture Trade n National & Regional n Policy environment improving – COMESA-ACTESA; CAADP, n Farmers becoming more organized – RFOs, Pan-Africa FFO n More partnerships and networks – Agri business conferences; CTA briefings, ACTESA, P 4 P, commodity markets, n Remittances from Africans Abroad. 12/13/2021 10

What EAFF is doing n Working on REGIONAL markets- COMESA-ACTESA, ECOMRAP prog/ EAC CM n Seeking to influence policy -observer status EAC/EALA, CAADP; Co-op framework n Seeking to influence support by partners- AGRA board, PC CAADP MDTF; n Seeking to influence research – ASARECA, FARA, international Potato centre n Seeking solidarity in Food security – PAFFO, GAFSP. CFS, Euro-Africa n Have a position on Climate change seeking pro-poor funding mechanisms (review CDM); that are voluntary, transparent, support biodiversity, new funds. . CC unit n Have a position on Land grab n Exploring positions on bio-energy and GMOs n Seeking to propose a regional inputs policy to support EAC Food security policy n Seeking more engagement in trade protocols –EPA; AGOA, Af. T 12/13/2021 11

What also NEEDS to be done n Empowerment of producers n Develop Knowledge management systems – indigenous KN, good cases n Promote biodiversity- protect genetic resources/ mitigate CC n Enhance & strengthen solidarity… n Develop credible evidence for agriculture policy/ investments (Collective investments—comparative advantages) not trade off n More transparent & coherent funding supporting Agriculture – incl. private funds n Food sovereignty policies n Reduce speculative commodity markets/develop value chains n Hold governments accountable; track policy implementation 12/13/2021 12

Why Farmer Organizations model? Capacity for managing change The three tier for service delivery Supporting the Response Managing organizational capacities Policy & legislation Institutional reform Competence Development Responding to the Demand Managing and organizing the delivery Types of services Org. capabilities Coordination & Pluralism Competence & capacity Organizing Demand Mobilizing FARMERS and strengthening local organizations Client differentiation & inclusivity Quality demand Articulation of demand Managing diversity & demand aggregation

The End THANK YOU! MERCI! www. eaffu. org; info@eaffu. org; Nairobi, Kenya 12/13/2021 14