Civil society organizations from across Africa have called for stronger recognition of community knowledge, better participation of small-scale producers, and greater inclusion of grassroots voices in agrifood systems decision-making ahead of the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34). These demands were raised during an online Civil Society Organizations consultation organized in preparation for the regional conference, which is scheduled to take place from 13 to 17 April 2026 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The consultation brought together representatives from farmer organizations, community groups, and civil society networks to help shape priorities and recommendations that will feed into ARC34 discussions. Participants emphasized that small-scale producers, food processors, fisherfolk, herders, and Indigenous communities are fundamental to Africa’s agrifood systems because they produce a large share of the continent’s food, sustain local economies, and manage land, water, and biodiversity through locally adapted knowledge and practices.
Opening the consultation, Musa Sowe, Second Vice President of ROPPA and Chair of the consultation’s steering committee, stressed the importance of ensuring that civil society has a meaningful role in shaping regional agricultural policy debates. The discussion underscored the view that policy decisions affecting food systems must be informed by those who are directly involved in food production and rural livelihoods across the continent.
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel highlighted the important role civil society organizations play in advocating for smallholder producers, many of whom are women. He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to working closely with civil society and stressed that sustainable and effective solutions must be built together with farmers rather than designed for them in isolation. He also said FAO would continue creating platforms where farmers’ voices and grassroots perspectives can directly influence policy discussions and dialogue with governments, development partners, and other stakeholders.
During the meeting, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and ARC34 Secretary Ayman Omer outlined the objectives and agenda of ARC34, including its key themes. He noted that the conference will include a dedicated day for the World Food Forum – Africa Chapter, which will bring together civil society groups, youth representatives, and others for discussions focused on science and innovation, youth engagement, and large-scale investment to advance Africa’s agrifood sectors.
The consultation also focused on the development of a civil society declaration that will be presented at ARC34. Steering committee members Mateus Santos Costa of the La Via Campesina network and Elise Pierrette Memong Meno, Secretary General of RAESS, presented the progress made so far in drafting the declaration. A significant part of the session was devoted to reviewing and finalizing this draft so that it accurately reflects the priorities and concerns of African civil society and grassroots stakeholders.
In closing the event, Musa Sowe emphasized the value of sustained collaboration between civil society organizations and FAO in promoting more sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems across Africa. The consultation reinforced the message that stronger partnerships and continued dialogue are essential if the continent’s food systems transformation is to be equitable, locally grounded, and responsive to the needs of communities and small producers.
ARC34 is a particularly important platform because the FAO Regional Conference is the organization’s highest governing body in Africa. Held every two years, it brings together Ministers of Agriculture and senior government officials from FAO member countries across the continent to identify priorities that shape FAO’s work in Africa. As a result, the recommendations and perspectives emerging from this civil society consultation are expected to play an important role in influencing regional policy discussions on the future of Africa’s agrifood systems.
