Description:
The Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) is a regional network of grassroots organizations representing small-scale farmers across 16 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA). Founded to empower farmers to speak as a united voice, ESAFF advocates for policies and practices that prioritize farmers' issues, concerns, and recommendations, ensuring they are embedded at the grassroots, national, regional, and global levels. Mission: To empower small-scale farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa to influence development policies and promote ecological agriculture through capacity strengthening, research, and networking. Vision: A resilient and effective forum of empowered small-scale farmers with a united voice in policy processes, championing ecological agriculture and working toward a poverty-free Eastern and Southern Africa. Activities and Focus Areas: Advocacy and Policy Engagement: ESAFF amplifies farmers' voices in policy-making spaces, from local to global levels, ensuring small-scale farmers are heard on issues like food sovereignty, climate change, and rural development. Capacity Building: ESAFF strengthens farmers’ skills through training programs, empowering them to actively participate in policy dialogue and decision-making processes. Ecological Agriculture: ESAFF promotes sustainable and ecological farming practices that enhance food security, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience. Research and Knowledge Sharing: Conducting studies and gathering data, ESAFF supports informed advocacy and strengthens the case for small-scale farming in the face of changing climate and economic conditions. Networking and Collaboration: Through partnerships with organizations, governments, and communities, ESAFF builds networks that empower farmers, boost local economies, and foster sustainable development.