WHAT MAKES FARMER ORGANISATIONS FAIL?: FARMERS RESPONSE TO THE e3 ANCHOR FARMS MODEL TESTING, FROM KAKOMA TO MIDULE - Part 2
By George Z Goliati
Continuing the journey to test the model
Due to accessibility issues, a replacement host had to be identified in Blantyre district. Chipande Extension Planning Area proved to be ideal when compared to Mtonda which also has farmers with irrigation schemes in Blantyre, as indicated by the District Agricultural Development Officer. Experience in Chikwawa showed that establishing new organisations is relatively expensive. Therefore, existing farmer organisations were targeted. Domwe irrigation scheme committee which had also recently registered as Mwanje cooperative was approached on 2 September, 2020, after linking with the Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator. There was love at first sight. The chairman and one of members met gave a very promising impression in their response to feasibility assessment questions. No time was to be taken, there was no need to assess other groups, the relationship was proposed the next day. With no expectations, the chairman changed the tune. The proposal was turned down.
In a despair but hopeful mode, two more irrigation schemes and another cooperative were approached the next day, on Friday, 4 September, 2020. These included Midule irrigation scheme committee, Mlombozi cooperative and Matiti irrigation scheme committee. To avoid wasting time and with bravery, the proposal was made right away after introductions. Two Midule farmers, the committee executives of whom one was also Mlombozi secretary, indicated to be interested in the move but asked to be given time to consult the teams. Whereas with Matiti chairman who was with the village headman and other 3 members, accepted the proposal right away. The day was a relief.
After a few days, further introductory meetings were arranged to face the whole teams. The situation started to change as all groups started to show some delays. The Agricultural Extension Development Officer was called in to facilitate the move. Two meetings to face the three groups, where Midule irrigation scheme committee and Mlombozi cooperative would be together, and Matiti on its own, were arranged on 15 September, 2020.
After explaining to the top executives of Midule scheme and Mlombozi cooperative, the scheme committee chairman and Mlombozi cooperative gave similar excuses which technically and implicitly implied rejection of the deal. They cited that they were hearing about the move for the first time that they had to think about it first. This was contrary to the fact that it had taken more than 10 days since the introduction and the contacted farmers indicated that they held meetings with them before that meeting. The other Midule executives were irked with the chairman and they rose to ask for another meeting the next day. Matiti scheme committee did not report to the meeting. They attributed to be occupied with some NGO meeting. They were never contacted again.
Here is where the root problem that makes farmer organisations fail was verified. It was deduced that the leaders take positions with other aims than promoting agribusiness and social-economic development of their communities. Just exactly what many researchers have found, the local leaders establish and run farmer organisations in order access donations not to develop business. The three main interests include (i) to control donations, (ii) to be recognised as authorities, that is, need for relevance in the community and (iii) to fulfil personal interests and agendas. These leaders hardly strategise on how they can take their groups or communities to another level. They strongly believe that the rural communities are just beneficiaries of government and NGOs completed development plans. As such, they feel that they don’t need to take any proactive action or initiative to solve their own group or community challenges.
However, note that this is not common with rural leaders only, even in our "top offices", it is the same attitude. It shows that it is what makes Africa poor. We underestimate our own potential.
The meeting with the independent Midule scheme executives on 16 September 2020 defied the odds. It taught us that there will always be brave soldiers who will stand out to defy weak and self-destructive traditions we Africans respect. The three executives plus five others became the e3 anchor farms model test-phase host. Most importantly, it was learnt that hope, determination, perseverance, continuous learning are some of major factors we need to abide to in order to succeed.
