By Denis Jjuuko

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play a key a role in the implementation processes of CAADP, delegates at the ongoing 6^th CAADP Partnership Platform meeting heard this morning. The meeting is currently in its final day at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The civil society can introduce the ideas and voices of society into the process helping farmers take ownership of CAADP. “We can mobilize citizens and farmers in particular through information dissemination about CAADP,” says Abel Gbetononmon from the ECOWAS region.

He added that civil society organizations are also instrumental in the mobilization of resources as well as monitoring budgets and ensuring that the money is well spent. “We can help in assuring that the needs of the population are met through appropriate mechanisms that monitor the budgetary processes of countries that have signed CAADP compacts.”

Additionally, he says, these organizations can play a significant role in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals when it comes to the agricultural sector. CSOs provide input supply services such as fertilizers and seeds as well as market infrastructure development.

Market infrastructure may include storage, grading, packaging, and processing which is an integral component of CAADP Pillar Three that calls for the improvement of rural infrastructure and trade-related capacities for market access.