Strengthening farmer-researcher partnerships and joint action for collective power
Description
The Partnerships for Diversity (P4D) initiative is a coordination effort between CIRAD, Oxfam Novib and more than forty organizations in East and West Africa, supported by the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) program of the McKnight Foundation. It aims at testing innovative collaboration models and tools for scaling equitable partnerships between farmers and researchers. A special focus of the initiative is on agrobiodiversity and farmer managed seed systems, and on how these can foster the agroecological transition and ultimately support long-term resilience for smallholder farmers.
P4D is currently in its one-year pilot phase (2025-2026), which is the result of an earlier exploratory phase that started in 2021 through a number of workshops that brought together local CSOs and researchers from East and West Africa. Thanks to these gatherings, stakeholders identified the need to further develop locally led solutions to address seed system challenges, strengthen connections among farmers and between farmers and researchers, and work towards increased autonomy and self-determination.
P4D is the result of those sessions. In its current pilot phase, it is organized around five thematic pathways, each led by a local facilitator or lead. Each pathway is envisioned as a space to connect stakeholders, promote inclusive decision-making, and amplify smallholder farmers’ voices.
Key focus areas:
- Experimental Research Partnerships – Strengthening farmer-research collaborations to increase the availability and adoption of diverse crop varieties.
- Paradigm Shift – Encouraging policymakers, researchers, and farmers to embrace new ways of working that promote mutual respect and innovation.
- Policy & Institutional Reforms – Advocating for governance changes that enhance smallholder farmers’ access to diverse and nutritious seeds.
Key activities include:
- Mapping seed systems and identifying challenges with regional partners.
- Hosting regional workshops (Burkina Faso, Uganda) to design farmer-research collaboration models.
- Developing a pilot phase for innovative, scalable solutions.
Partners
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CCRP Mcknight Foundation -
AFSA -
CICOD Malawi -
Oxfam -
IFAD -
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Updates
Burkina Faso Workshop (March 2023)
A landmark gathering in Ouagadougou brought together 30 representatives from farmer organizations, research institutions, NGOs, and seed producers across Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal.
Key outcomes:
- Advancing participatory plant breeding and strengthening seed systems.
- Creating demand and market linkages for high-quality, locally adapted seeds.
- Establishing a collaborative farmer-research network to scale innovations.
- Addressing power imbalances and advocating for policy reforms that support farmer-led seed systems.
By building strong partnerships and fostering innovation, we are working toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system for smallholder farmers worldwide.
