From October 9th to 11th, 2024, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will host a series of strategic consultations in Rome to develop the new FO4 Africa program. This event will bring together representatives from farmers’ organizations in Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, as well as Agricord, to lay the groundwork for the framework program aimed at supporting these organizations.
These consultations in Rome will focus on defining the strategic objectives of the new program, its components, and the common indicators to be used for measuring its impact. The discussions will build on the conclusions and recommendations from a recent evaluation of the FO4ACP program. This process is crucial to ensuring that the program effectively meets the needs of farmers’ organizations, especially in a context where agricultural challenges are heightened by climate change and economic instability.
Over the course of three days, participants will delve into various key aspects of the program. The first day will be dedicated to formal plenary consultations, where the main outlines of the program will be discussed. The second day will feature thematic discussions and working groups, allowing delegates to explore in depth the specific issues relevant to their regions and sectors. Finally, the third day will conclude with plenary consultations, summarizing the discussions and adopting the final conclusions.
These consultations in Rome represent a crucial step in developing a robust support framework for farmers’ organizations. By working in concert with the European Union and other partners, IFAD is committed to strengthening the capacities of these organizations, enabling them to better address the challenges of modern agriculture and contribute to rural development in their respective regions.