Navigating 5 Common Pitfalls in Collaborating with Farmers' Organizations

In the intricate landscape of socio-economic dynamics, farmers’ organizations occupy a pivotal position, capturing the attention of diverse entities such as governmental agencies, political factions, religious institutions, ecological advocacies, healthcare practitioners, aid agencies, and researchers. Their significance transcends mere agricultural production; farmers form the bedrock of societies, making them a magnet for traders eyeing the vast market potential at the bottom of the pyramid.

Farmers' associations and cooperatives stand as pivotal intermediaries in this landscape, empowered by their ability to unify individual farmers and link them to other entities. They become natural conduits for proselytization, investigation, advocacy, information dissemination, project execution, trading, and investment. Suppliers and promoters, confident in the merits of their offerings, enthusiastically seek these associations' collaboration. Yet, a recurring theme emerges – disillusionment when these aspirations are met with a lukewarm response. This disenchantment often emanates from five common errors that warrant closer examination:

Misreading Farmers' Conservatism

Initial interactions frequently reveal a dissonance between the exuberance of suppliers and the apparent tepidness among association representatives. This incongruity might obscure the fact that the product, service, or message in question simply does not resonate with farmers. Inadvertently, the directives of these associations transform them into inadvertent barriers, impeding access to the target demographic. Convinced of the allure of their proposition, suppliers, researchers or NGOs may resort to circuitous routes, incurring elevated costs, to circumvent associations and directly reach the anticipated receptive farmers. However, by sidestepping engagement with farmer representatives, these suppliers forsake the chance to refine their offerings, research proposal, technological innovation or development project, potentially aligning them more closely with the farmers' interests.

Overlooking Equitable Compensation for Associations

The lackluster response from these associations might, in part, be attributed to the expectation that their directors and employees will tirelessly promote proposals among members without recompense. While the nobility of associations working for the collective good is undeniable, it's essential to acknowledge the transactional nature of this collaboration. The proposals, projects, or products that suppliers envision as watershed opportunities for farmers necessitate considerable effort to champion. Disregarding the need for fair compensation undermines the cooperative spirit, sidestepping the principle that every effort, regardless of its altruistic nature, merits due remuneration.

Steering Clear of Unethical Influence

Distinguishing between remuneration for intermediaries and unethical inducements is pivotal. Cultural differences can obfuscate these boundaries, leading to misguided endeavors to sway associations. The perception that financial vulnerability renders farmers susceptible to persuasion creates an environment marred by misguided assumptions. While associations might engage in activities not related to their mission to ensure financial viability, crossing into the realm of bribery remains indefensible. The trajectory from remunerating associations for their efforts to outright bribery is a slippery slope that should be avoided at all costs. The fundamental principle of maintaining associations' alignment with their core mission and values must never be compromised.

Embracing Diversity Among Farmers

A comprehensive approach to collaborating with farmers necessitates an understanding of their diverse subgroups. It's crucial to recognize that roughly 75% of global farmers are poor and operate on diminutive plots primarily oriented toward subsistence. Equally true is that 88% of the farmers belong to family-run operations. Stating that family farms play a pivotal role in the global food and agricultural landscape, may obscure the fact that only a small percentage of the family farms in the world are endowed with land and resources to do so. While farming is part of the reality of the huge mass of poor farmers, they often don’t pursue agriculture as an enterprise to develop, but as a means of sustenance, awaiting more promising opportunities outside agriculture. Effective engagement with agricultural entrepreneurs requires astute selectivity. Cooperatives for trade or processing offer a fitting entry point, as they constitute approximately 20% of the global farming community and exhibit at least a rudimentary grasp of entrepreneurial principles. Selection of the most unified and consistent ones in pursuing a development objective that is shared among members, directives and staff may prove a key to success.

Crafting a Focused Strategy for Cooperative Empowerment

Engaging with farmer organizations and cooperatives often uncovers weaknesses and operational deficiencies. The landscape teems with well-intentioned actors, including corporations, donors, government representatives, and even clergy members, who seek to bolster these entities' effectiveness. However, such interventions often prioritize the interests of the supplier rather than the association itself. A pivotal distinction to remember is that enhancing farmer organizations and cooperatives demands specialized expertise. Rather than superficial adjustments, sustainable progress hinges on meticulous attention to facets like financial management, governance, and internal capitalization. Effective strides toward this goal can be achieved by enlisting the guidance of seasoned cooperative capacity builders tailored to the needs of the cooperative in its development path.

In conclusion, cultivating successful collaborations with farmers' organizations demands finesse. Acknowledging the nuances of farmers' perspectives, advocating for equitable compensation for associations' efforts, upholding ethical conduct, daring to select while embracing the diversity of farmers, and enlisting the expertise of cooperative capacity builders are pivotal steps on the journey to meaningful partnerships. As we tread the intricate path of collaboration, let us continually strive for a synergy that nurtures both the agrarian backbone of our societies and the partners who navigate its terrain.

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This article is an updated version of “5 common errors when working with farmer organisations” (LinkedIn, June 4, 2017)