It was in Kigali, Rwanda, the headquarters of PAFO, that IFAD chose to hold the Evaluation Workshop of the Support Program for Farmers’ Organizations in Africa (FO4-Africa). The three-day event brought together experts, facilitators and key stakeholders in the implementation of FO4 to assess the performance and sustainability of farmers’ organizations (FOs) under the program. Participants had the opportunity to look back at successes and challenges, and to reflect on future opportunities: the post-FO4 era. Discussions focused on the concrete results of the Africa Program and led to the formulation of strategic recommendations to guide future initiatives. Through interactive sessions and fruitful exchanges, participants shared their experiences and visions for the future.
IFAD adopted a participatory approach to encourage participants to evaluate in depth the achievements of the project. The main objective was to encourage concrete discussions based on data on outputs, outcomes, emerging effects and impacts with which participants had direct experience. The main outputs of the project, derived from the logical framework, formed the basis for the organizational structure of the workshop. The workshop was structured around parallel working groups and plenary sessions, each dedicated to specific priorities and objectives. This approach ensured a thorough and multi-faceted evaluation covering key thematic areas.
Participatory approach
The workshop began with parallel working groups focusing on different critical aspects. One group assessed the delivery of economic services by farmer organizations (FOs) along priority value chains. Their assessment highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, with the aim of increasing economic benefits to members. Another group focused on the business environment, assessing FOs’ efforts in policy dialogue and their influence on governance. Discussions centered on how FOs can engage more effectively in policy advocacy to create a favourable business environment. In addition, a working group analyzed the institutional development initiatives of FOs and tracked their progress. The aim was to identify successful strategies and areas for further development to strengthen institutional capacity. Another group assessed the effectiveness of knowledge management (KM) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies, looking at how well they support decision-making and Program improvement. Program sustainability was also a key focus, with one group looking at strategies to ensure the long-term success and continuity of Program benefits. Finally, the partnership performance group reviewed engagement with partners at different levels and assessed the effectiveness of this collaboration in advancing the program ‘s objectives and fostering collaborative success.
The plenary sessions provided a platform for comprehensive reporting and discussion of the findings of the working groups. Each group presented their evaluations and findings, facilitating a broad understanding of the current state of the program. Presentations on lessons learned, missed opportunities and future directions aimed to reflect on past experiences, highlight areas for improvement and outline strategic directions for future programming. Participants engaged in discussions to refine implementation strategies, strengthen partnerships and plan future steps. The workshop concluded with a wrap-up session that consolidated key findings and recommendations, and set the stage for actionable steps forward.
Filed visit: INGABO FARMERS SYNDICATE
Measurable impact and lessons learned
The results of this evaluation highlight a tangible improvement in access to infrastructure, services and markets for FOs and their members. The rapid adoption of new and adapted technologies has helped to increase productivity and optimise the use of natural resources. Organisations representing vulnerable groups such as women, youth and marginalised rural populations have been strengthened, while favourable policies have been put in place to support their inclusion and development. This evaluation also highlights the importance of efficient use of financial resources and the need for strong governance and institutional partnerships to ensure the sustainability of interventions. The lessons learned from these programmes provide valuable insights for the design of future agricultural development strategies, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement, integration of cross-cutting issues and adaptation to local contexts.
IFAD-OP Partnership – Post-FO4: “Cultivating resilience, harvesting sustainability
With encouraging results and valuable lessons learned from this five-year collaboration, it is time to capitalise on the achievements and develop a roadmap for the next steps. The post-FO4ACP period will require strategic thinking and effective mobilisation of resources to further strengthen the institutional capacity of FOs, facilitate access to financial services, and improve the business environment for smallholder farmers. Strengthened partnerships with governments, regional institutions and development agencies will be essential to support this transition and ensure the sustainability of initiatives. In-depth consultations with stakeholders, including FOs themselves, will help define priorities and areas of intervention for the future. Innovation and adaptation to emerging challenges such as climate change and market volatility will be at the heart of this new phase of cooperation. Together, IFAD, the European Union and FOs can build a sustainable future for family farming in these regions and contribute to the achievement of global sustainable development goals.
