Working Group Topics Working Group 1 a The

Working Group Topics

Working Group 1 a: The concept of contract farming Is there a lack of political understanding of contract farming; is this a problem and, if so, how can it be overcome? ’ Working Group 1 b Ways of addressing contract failure: What new approaches can be adopted to address contract failure?

Working Group 1 b Ways of addressing contract failure: What new approaches can be adopted to address contract failure?

Working Group 2 a (1 & 2) Ways of linking companies to farmers • What ways can be recommended to best link farmers to companies? – for large-scale immediate processing (tea; oil palm; sugar) – for other export commodities (cotton; tobacco; coffee) – for consumer agro-processing (fruits and vegetables; processed meat) – for dairy products – for supermarket supply

Working Groups 3 a (1 & 2): Enabling environments • Are African traditional land tenure systems an obstacle to successful contract farming? • To what extent are national regulatory frameworks and institutions related to agrifood quality and standards an obstacle to successful contract farming in Africa? • Are national regulatory frameworks for agricultural marketing in Africa conducive to successful contract farming?

Working Groups on the Field Trip • How would you assess the contract farming operations of MGK and what proposals can you make for improvements?

Working Group 4 a Contract farming and rural development: • How can contract farming be used to promote rural development?

Working Group 4 b Smaller-scale contractual arrangements: • Is there scope for small-scale contractual arrangements involving, e. g. , local traders. commercial farmers or input dealers?