... farmers’ organizations Farmers’ organizations (FOs) have existed, in some form or the other, for as long as there has been agriculture. Their reasons for being differ; their level of activity varies; but one thing is sure – farmers organize to benefit from numbers and to the benefit of their communities. promoting a wider appreciation of information and knowledge management for agricultural development generally and specifically, support for the IICA/CTA MEAgrISys project. The more well established FOs tend to be linked to the major traditional export crops, such as, bananas, sugar, rice etc. However, over the last 10 years, FOs in the Caribbean have expanded both in numbers and in coverage. Growing support from international agencies for ‘grass-root’ organizations and deficiencies in public institutions and systems the have spurred this expansion. On average, there are at least 20 active FOs per country in the Caribbean. Several of these have active links to umbrella regional organizations. Many are becoming formidable lobbyists and advocates, representing their membership in industrial disputes, trade negotiations, market access disputes, etc. What do successful FOs have in common? Enlightened Leadership: that develops a vision and strategies and manages implementation of activities. The Banana Fair Trade Associations in Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines epitomize this success factor. Proof of this, is in their recent acquisition of a multiGreen house, Grand Bay Secondary School, million dollar juice processing facility in St. Dominica (t); Feeder Road in Greggs, Vincent. From the moment these previously St.Vincent, (b), both funded by Fair Trade Social Premium Fund disadvantaged farmers initiated the Fair Trade Movement in 1982, they have worked their Vision. They have achieved almost 100% conversion to Fair Trade Bananas; they continue to successfully manage Social Premium funds to improve rural communities. Their more recent success is unprecedented among FOs and for that matter, most other small-medium scale agribusiness in the region. Their Vision, strategic planning, investment decisions, effective management of their social responsibility and business achievements could not have been possible without Information! They have organized their banana business, thought to be on its death bed with the end of the era of preferences, for success, and based on sound science, sound farm practices, sound business management and a network of farmers that works! #2 of 2007 a collaborative effort of: Naitram Ramnanan CaRAPN member and: Diana Francis Trade Policies and Negotiations Programme IICA Caribbean Region enabled by: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA –ACP) The Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the CTA and IICA
