Vision '' Prosperous and cohesive Eastern Africa farmers community” Mission “Represent, lobby and advocate for farmers i

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

2. outline • About EAFF • Agriculture situation in EA • Challenges in Agriculture trade – national and regional • Opportunities – national and regional • What EAFF is doing • What also needs to be done • Why FOs model needs to be supported

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Opportunities in Agriculture Trade • National & Regional • Policy environment improving – COMESA-ACTESA; CAADP, • Farmers becoming more organized – RFOs, Pan-Africa FFO • More partnerships and networks – Agri business conferences; CTA briefings, ACTESA, P4P, commodity markets, • Remittances from Africans Abroad.

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

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

13. Why Farmer Organizations model?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 Capacityformanagingchange Types of services Org. capabilities Coordination & Pluralism Competence & capacity Organizing Demand Mobilizing FARMERS and strengthening local organizations Managing diversity & demand aggregation Client differentiation & inclusivity Quality demand Articulation of demand

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