Farmers’ organizations and agricultural innovation: Case studies from Benin, Rwanda and Tanzania

In-depth analysis of the role and capacity development needs of farmers organization in innovation processes, using the evidence from a number of case studies from contemporary SSA agriculture. Experiences indicate that Farmers’organizations (FOs) can play an important role in sharing knowledge-for-innovation by initiating multi-actor platforms for interactive learning and by implementing joint activity programmes (including use of the media) with extension services on a cost-sharing basis. A major challenge facing FOs is to develop sustainable funding mechanisms for these (farmer-led) initiatives.