Engagement with smallholder farmers’ organizations in IFAD operations: Impacts and lessons learned from the East and Southern Africa Region

This study was conducted to develop a better understanding of the scope, challenges, and opportunities for integrating smallholder farmers’ organizations (SFOs) in IFAD-financed projects in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. The publication is based on information gathered from projects in 13 countries in ESA through a desk review of design, supervision, and completion reports for the period 2005 through 2016, complemented by a remote survey of 27 projects.

It describes approaches adopted, documents impacts and lessons, identifies gaps and opportunities for integrating SFOs in IFAD projects in the region, and recommends ways to improve project design in order to achieve sustainable transformation of smallholder farmers through their organizations.