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| HOW TO REALIZE FARMERS' RIGHTS AT THE
NATIONAL LEVEL: How do we identify their representatives? In some countries most farmers are members of farmers' organizations, in other countries few farmers have such memberships. However, even in countries with high membership levels it may be difficult to identify legitimate representatives of farmers, because not all organizations have participatory and democratic methods of electing representatives. Also, there might be situations where the representatives are legitimately elected, but where the members are not included in decision processes in the organizations, as is sometimes the case in large scale farmers' unions. Thus, even if legitimately elected representatives from farmer unions are invited to participate in the implementation process, this is not necessarily a guarantee for the inclusion of the farmer members of the respective organizations. In such cases, we can not really talk about inclusion of farmers in the process. In some countries representation is well organized, and the problems mentioned here are not prevalent. In many countries, NGOs are involved in the realization of Farmers' Rights at the local level. Such organizations may have significant experience and insight in the situations and needs of farmers, and should be considered as participants in processes related to Farmers' Rights. A number of options are available for the various situations described here: Options if membership level is low: 
 A. Try to
select a group of farmers from different parts of the country, for example
through extension services, other outreach programmes in the agricultural areas
or through NGOs. Try particularly to look for farmers who contribute to the
conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity.
B. If
there are relevant farmers' organizations in the country, invite
representatives from these organizations in addition.
C. NGO
representatives, agronomists, socio anthropologists or social workers with
experience from farming areas may also be invited to shed light over the
situation of farmers and their needs. Options if membership level is high, but representatives are not democratically elected:
A. Invite
representatives from the organizations.
B. Try in
addition to select a group of farmers from different parts of the country, for
example through extension services or other outreach programmes in the
agricultural areas. Try particularly to look for farmers who contribute to the
conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity.
C. NGO
representatives, agronomists, socio anthropologists or social workers with
experience from farming areas may also be invited to shed light over the
situations of farmers. Options if membership level is high, but farmers are not involved in decision processes:
A. Invite
representatives from the organizations.
B. Seek
to plan together with the representatives, and support, the involvement of the
members of their organizations in the implementation process concerning
Farmers' Rights.
C.
Representatives of NGOs with field experience may also be invited to shed light
over the situations and needs of farmers. Options if membership level is high and farmers are well represented:
A. Invite
representatives from the organizations, and make sure that their members are
included also in this process.
B.
Representatives of NGOs with field experience may also be invited to help
shedding light over the situations and needs of farmers.Pages in this sub-section:
STEP 2: ENSURING FARMERS' PARTICIPATION IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS Who are the farmers who should be included in the
processes? How do
we identify their representatives? Who should actually identify such
representatives? How can
farmers' participation in the implementation process be ensured? |
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