Our focus
We work to strengthen farmer networks, share knowledge, and promote policies that support sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.
All African Farmers Network
AAFANET
Supporting farmers and rural communities across Africa through partnership, advocacy, and sustainable development.
Get in touchWho we are
The All African Farmers Network (AAFANET) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the interests of farmers and agricultural development on the African continent.
Our headquarters
Africa Headquarters
Dodowa, Greater Accra Region
Ghana, West Africa
All African Farmers Network (AAFANET)
History of organization
Background of association
All African Farmers Network (AaFaNet) is a non-governmental organization established in Ghana in 1998 by a group of public-spirited individuals and was subsequently registered with the Registrar General’s Department in accordance with the company’s code Act 179 of Ghana, and the Development of Social Welfare of Ghana in the year 2000.
The aim of the association was to promote improved methods of agricultural production among small-holder peasant agricultural producers and traders in Ghana and within the West African Sub-regions aimed at enhancing food security among member-countries.
The association formed in Ghana about 17 years ago has embraced other agricultural producers in Africa comprising of Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Cameron, Niger, Cote D’Ivoire, and Nigeria,etc. to form a network. Each country has its own programs and activities aimed at promoting good agricultural practices and the use of modern technologies for increasing food security and trading.
The network has about twelve (12) thousand membership acrossthe continent and has it regional headquarters situated at Dodowa, a suburb of Accra in the Dangme West District of Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The current membership in Ghana is about 300 in the sixteen (16) Regions of Ghana.
AAFANET has been promoting good agricultural practices aimed at reducing land degradation, and natural resources protection; enhancing acquisition of skills and technical know-how in the use of improved agricultural methods among small-holder agricultural producer and trade in Ghana. The association has also been assisting member and other agricultural producers and trade information through research and advocacy access on all spheres of agriculture, and rural development.
The association has also participated in decision making,policy formulation and implementation, seminars, workshops and programs of sector ministry of food and agricultural (MoFA).The food and agricultural organization; of the United Nations (FAO) the United Nations information center (UNIC); the Ghana Aids Commission, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of Environment and Science; District and Municipal Assemblies; andother agencies and departments in Ghana.
Moments from our history
Vision
Increased food security, and reduced rural poverty among small-holder agricultural producers and traders.
Mission statement
All African Farmers Network exists to promote modern and scientific methods of agricultural production and trade as a means of enhancing environmental quality, and increasing agricultural production for improved food security and reduction of rural poverty.
Constitution / governance / management
AaFaNet operates under a constitution and by-laws which defines the structure of the association, terms of office and tenure of the National Executive Committee, and Management Team.
The association is governed by the National Executive Committee. The Structure of the National Executive Committee comprises of seven (7) members namely the Executive Director and Deputy; the General Secretary and Deputy; the Financial Controller and Deputy; and the Co-ordinator for Programs and Projects.
The Office Structure is headed by the Secretary General and comprises of an Administrator, a Secretary, a Cleark, and Accountant, a Messenger and about six field officers and technical officers.
Values
AaFaNet is a non-governmental, non-profit making, non-political, non-partisan organization. All members are obliged to exhibit these values for the goodwill and future of the association.
Membership
Membership of All African Farmers Network is opened to all rural small-holder agricultural producers including farmers, fishermen and micro-food processors and traders in Ghana and within the sub-region.
Objectives
- To create an information network to provide farmers and traders with information on issues and new trends in agricultural production and trading.
- To link farmers and traders to available sources of credit facilities, markets and agricultural services.
- To educate and provide extension services to farmers and traders and equip them with necessary skills for improved production.
- To create employment opportunities for the youth and rural farmers through the formation of Agricultural Youth Corps and Famers Co-operatives.
- To promote increase agricultural production using environmentally sound and appropriate modern practices to raise the socio-economic status of rural subsistence small-holder farmers and traders.
- AaFaNet is also committed to Research and Advocacy for the welfare of the rural farmers and traders especially women to increase production in the various agricultural enterprises including micro-food processing and trade through the adoption of modern and scientific methods.
- To promote the health and welfare of agricultural producers in Ghana and within the sub-regions.
- To provide training to members through seminars, and workshops, field visits and clinics, aimed at capacity development for improved agricultural productivity, and reduction in post-harvest losses.
- To promote the awareness of human right issues e.g. Women and Children, the Right to Girl Child Education etc.
Main functions
- Mobilization and registration of members for increased agricultural production.
- Training for capacity building of members for increased agricultural information access by members and small-holder agricultural producers.
- Facilitation of agricultural information access by members and small-holder agricultural producers and traders.
- Research and Advocacy for favorable policies concerning small-holder agricultural producer and women in trade.
Activities
- AaFaNet since its formation has been embarking on mass mobilization and registration of small-holder farmers and traders into different commodity co-operatives.
- Facilitation of access to micro-finance or credit by small-holder agricultural producers and traders to improve their activities.
- Training for capacity building in good agricultural practices and use of improved methods of production through seminars, workshops field visits and agric clinics.
- Facilitation of information access to by members and small-holder agricultural producers through the use of extension aids, books and experience sharing.
- Entrepreneurial and project management skills development through workshops and seminars.
- Facilitation to trade and marketing access of members produce through Research and Advocacy.
- Embarking on educational activities, the dissemination of information on the UN in its search for peace and security and human right activities through symposium and conferences.
- Organizing for programs in collaboration with the UNIC in commemoration on various UN international days and anniversaries throughout the year.
- Representation of members and agricultural producers on commissions, committees, boards, of Ministries, Agencies and Departments to promote and defend the course of small-holder farmers and traders.
Affiliations
AAFANET has a working collaboration with:
- The Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations (FAO).
- The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA)
- The Ghana Aids Commission
- The Environmental Protection Agency
United Nations recognition
NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
This status reflects our engagement with international dialogue on economic, social, and environmental issues affecting farmers and communities in Africa.
Contact
Postal address
P.O. Box DD 46Dodowa
Greater Accra Region
Ghana, West Africa