Module 09: Farmer Organisational Development

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This module will provide basic guidelines to extension agents on how to help farmers form strong organisations that are able to effectively provide services to their members. Specifically, the module will discuss the definition of a farmer organisation (FO) and how different formations of farmers play different roles in the agricultural sector. Various factors influence the successful operation of FOs and this module will discuss several of these internal and external challenges, as well as suggestions on how to address them. This module will also look at issues that affect the sustainability of FOs and will help you as an extension agent guide farmers in forming and managing sustainable organisations. Lastly, the module will discuss the most important functions that FOs fulfil in the agricultural sector.

Overview

Module outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  1. Define the concept of a farmer organisation and discuss the different categories and the specific services they provide;
  2. Discuss the diverse environment under which farmer organisations operate and the factors that help them succeed;
  3. Explain the concept of the sustainability of farmer organisations and discuss the basic factors that affect sustainability; and
  4. Describe the main functions that farmer organisations can provide their member farmers.

What to expect

Study units
Name Total videos Total assessments
Study unit 1: Definition and differentiated mandate of farmer organisations 5 4
Study unit 2: Prerequisites for successful farmer organisations 2 4
Study unit 3: Sustainability of farmer organisations 6 4
Study unit 4: Functions of farmer organisations 0 6

Click on the button below to start Module 9:

Introduction

Study unit 1: Definition and differentiated mandate of farmer organisations

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Explain what farmer organisations are and discuss their importance in the current farming environment;
  • Discuss what differentiates farmer organisations from other civil society organisations; and
  • Describe the different categories of farmer organisations and discuss their different roles and the different services they provide.

Study unit overview

Individual small-scale or subsistence farmers can reap many benefits when they work together in groups or organisations. This unit will provide a generic definition of an FO and will look at the attributes that differentiate FOs from other civil society organisations such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Extensionists need to understand that there are different categories of FOs and that each category is formed to provide specific services. This unit will discuss the three general categories of FOs and the mandatory services that each category provides.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 1.1: What is a farmer organisation?
  • Session 1.2: Different categories of farmer organisations
  • Conclusion

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 1:

Study Unit 1

Study unit 2: Prerequisites for successful farmer organisations

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Discuss the internal and external factors that influence the success of farmer organisations; and
  • Discuss possible ways to address the internal and external challenges faced by farmer organisations.

Study unit overview

There are various factors that can influence the success of FOs. These factors can broadly be divided into internal and external factors. Internal factors include any challenges that arise from within an organisation, whereas external factors arise from outside the organisation. This unit will discuss some of the internal and external factors that can affect the operations of FOs. In this unit you will also learn of ways to address the internal and external challenges faced by FOs.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 2.1: Internal factors influencing the operations of farmer organisations
  • Session 2.2: External factors that affect farmer organisations
  • Conclusion

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 2:

Study Unit 2

Study unit 3: Sustainability of farmer organisations

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Explain how factors that affect farmer representation influence the sustainability of farmer organisations;
  • Discuss the importance of good governance for sustainable farmer organisations; and
  • Discuss the importance of financial stability for sustainable farmer organisations.

Study unit overview

A variety of issues influence the long term viability of FOs. This module will help you identify factors that affect the longevity of FOs and equip you to help farmers address these challenges. Firstly, this unit will look at how adequate representation of the members of FOs will affect the sustainability of the organisation. Then, the study unit will explore how good governance influences FOs. Lastly, the unit will discuss how financial instability can lead to unsustainable FOs.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 3.1 Farmer representation as a factor for sustainability
  • Session 3.2 Importance of good cooperative governance in farmer organisations
  • Session 3.3 Importance of financial sustainability in farmer organisations
  • Conclusion

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 3:

Study Unit 3

Study unit 4: Functions of farmer organisations

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Discuss the economic benefits farmer organisations bring to the agricultural sector;
  • Discuss the role farmer organisations play in ensuring that governmental and political policies are conducive to successful farming activities;
  • Discuss the social functions provided by farmer organisations; and
  • Explain the important role farmer organisations play in facilitating farmer access to agricultural research and technology.

Study unit overview

Farmer organisations provide a variety of services. These can broadly be divided into four major functions. In this unit, you will learn about the economic function of FOs and the economic benefits these organisations bring to their members and other service providers in the agricultural sector. This unit will then briefly look at the role FOs play in ensuring that policies and programmes developed by governments are not negatively affecting the ability of farmers to run their farming businesses successfully. This unit will also discuss the social benefits FOs can bring to a society. Lastly, this unit will explain the importance of FOs in linking farmers, agricultural researchers, technology and other strategic players in the agricultural sector.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 4.1 Economic functions of farmer organisations
  • Session 4.2 Political functions of farmer organisations
  • Session 4.3 Social functions of farmer organisations
  • Session 4.4 Facilitating access to technology
  • Conclusion

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Study Unit 4