Leveraging Farmer Producer Organizations to Boost Production,Mitigate Risk and Strengthen Food Security: Lessons and Challenges

Abstract

This article examines the role of farmer producer organizations in addressing several constraints and risks faced by small producers, especially access to credit, technical services and marketing. It surveys current literature on the subject and suggests policy support to member based farmer producer organizations to help smallholder agriculture mitigate risk and improve market access. In particular, the paper makes a case for integrating farmer producer organizations in the food security architecture of the country to leverage their inclusive growth potential.