Organic Insights Magazine - Spring 2023

Organic Insights / Spring 2023 / 13

had 6 GA in the 6 Regions and one Global GA, all online. The Organogramwas approved at the GA 2021, where it was defined to have 3 convenors nominated to represent farmers in each of the 6 regions – Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, Latin America and Oceania Pacifika making a total of 18 convenors. In 2018 further support was provided by the Andreas Hermes Academy (AHA), a German

organisation that supports the organisational development of farmer organisations, who helped develop the vision and mission for INOFO and subsequent Strategic Plan. With the release of the Plan, Shamika says that the “structure is now there, the communication channels are getting established, and we are identifying resources to be sustainable and support implementation.” Communication of the Plan is vital in developing understanding among farmer members, according to Shamika. “Different regions are at different levels of understanding; Some regions are struggling with the language, so work is being done to communicate the intent of the Plan,” she says. Shamika says that different regions will also have different priorities in the Plan, as some regions have said that all 4 areas are important, while others will be focusing on only one area. “Asia wants to focus on all 4 areas and all 4 areas are important to us, [but] as a new region Oceania Pacifika [including Australia] only wants to focus on Knowledge Sharing for now,” she says. For this reason, the Plan is still a draft, a guidance document, until it is to be formally ratified at next year’s INOFO General Assembly. This will occur in Tunisia 2024, where dates are yet to be finalised. The group has made steps toward greater involvement in established farmer networks and organisation initiatives worldwide, providing a voice for organic farming. INOFO is a Global Steering Committee member and after decentralisation in 2016, remained as such a member of the IFAD Farmers Forum (FAFO), where INOFO Council members participated in Farmers Forum (FAFO) events. These events have been hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and held throughout the World, with the last regional events held in Montevideo and Panama (representing South and Central America and the Caribbean). INOFO continues to represent the need to increase efforts to promote organic practices in IFAD’s programs and projects. “Not just in India, but globally, people should know that organic farmers exist and are doing great work on ground,” says Shamika.

oceania pacifika

Recognising the critical value of organic farmer representation globally, Carolin Möller, Manager – Business Development, Projects, Operations was involved in the development of the Plan and is formally dedicated to providing executive support for INOFO, to assist the group in building capacity and executing the plan. Carolin is also the nominated country convenor for Oceania Pacifika who became the last region to officially join INOFO in 2021, represented by three conveners. In line with the INOFO Strategic Plan, INOFO Oceania Pasifika focuses on the knowledge exchange of its members adapted to their unique region. Mr Stephen Hazelman from Poetcom is the convener for Pacific Islands while also being on the board of INOFO and IFOAM PGS. Stephen is supported by two convenors from Australia and New Zealand. INOFO Oceania Pasifika is the only active IFOAM network in the region and highly supported by Karen Mapusua, IFOAM President. As Oceana Pasifika is a relatively new region, NASAA Organic would like to invite Organic Farmer Organisations to join our network and introduce farmers who may be interested in becoming an INOFO convener for this region. Further Information Access the INOFO Strategic Plan at inofo.bio/launch-of-the-first- inofo-global-strategic-plan