A scoping review of the contributions of farmers\u2019 organizations to smallholder agriculture

Livia Bizikova,Markus Hanisch,Kate Ghezzi-Kopel,Julie Kelly,Lixia Tang,Rama Mohana Rao Turaga,Ephraim Nkonya,Margitta Minah,Ashley Casandra Celestin,Chinwe Ifejika Speranza,Beth Timmers,Muthumariappan Karthikeyan

doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00164-x

Abstract

Farmers’ organizations (FOs), such as associations, cooperatives, self-help and women’s groups, are common in developing countries and provide services that are widely viewed as contributing to income and productivity for small-scale producers. Here, we conducted a scoping review of the literature on FO services and their impacts on small-scale producers in sub-Saharan Africa and India. Most reviewed studies (57%) reported positive FO impacts on farmer income, but much fewer reported positive impacts on crop yield (19%) and production quality (20%). Environmental benefits, such as resilience-building and improved water quality and quantity were documented in 24% of the studies. Our analysis indicates that having access to markets through information, infrastructure, and logistical support at the centre of FO design could help integrate FOs into policy. Natural resource management should also be more widely incorporated in the services provided by FOs to mitigate risks associated with environmental degradation and climate change. Finally, farmers who are already marginalized because of poor education, land access, social status and market accessibility may require additional support systems to improve their capacities, skills and resources before they are able to benefit from FO membership.

Highlights

The adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 signalled a global commitment to combat hunger and improve the well-being of small-scale producers and the environment
Experience from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa indicates that Farmer organizations (FOs) often depend on support from governments and other agencies[18,19] and that the benefits of FOs to individual members can be limited by production volumes, infrastructure challenges and inadequate banking services, as well as limited managerial and leadership skills[16,20]
Our review revealed that FO services that enhance access to markets—for example, product marketing and market information—have positive impacts on member income as well as yield and product quality

Summary

Introduction

The adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 signalled a global commitment to combat hunger and improve the well-being of small-scale producers and the environment. Small-scale producers contribute substantially to the food supply[1,2,3], yet many experience food insecurity[4] They are highly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation[5] with particular severity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South and East Asia[6]. FOs can build farmer skills in production, marketing and leadership and strengthen psychological well-being[12] Building on these contributions to farmers, FOs have become core elements of rural development, agricultural productivity and anti-poverty policies— especially in Africa and South Asia[13,14]. Experience from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa indicates that FOs often depend on support from governments and other agencies[18,19] and that the benefits of FOs to individual members can be limited by production volumes, infrastructure challenges and inadequate banking services, as well as limited managerial and leadership skills[16,20]

Methods

Results

Conclusion