G.J. Doornbos, independent chair "Rural areas are not given sufficient priority in development cooperation, even though the needs and potential of the rural populations are often the greatest. The role of producer organisations is also not sufficiently utilised. The support they need varies over a wide range of disciplines and issues, and for this reason, better cooperation and coordination between supporting organisations is essential."
A. Papma (Oxfam Novib), Vice-chair and Secretary "The exchange of knowledge and experience in sustainable agricultural development between the partners of Agri-ProFocus should serve the ultimate goal: a better life for farmers in the South."
B. Huijsman (Wageningen University), treasurer "Bringing together Dutch expertise and knowledge, in a structural way, for the benefit of small -scale producers in the South is in my view the main challenge for Agri-ProFocus."
E. Heinen (Oikocredit) "Poverty and hunger in rural areas in development countries originate from unequal access for small farmers to country, capital, knowledge and markets. Rural development requires an integrated approach where a wide range of instruments is applied at the same time. Agri-ProFocus unites commited and expert organisations which offer complementary services in a professional manner. Beside credit the farmer obtains access to markets, education, organization and fair trade."
T. van Praag (PUM) "In this ever more complex world cooperation between independent organisations is a must. For PUM Agri-ProFocus is the platform for cooperation in agriculture."
B. de Steenhuijsen Piters (KIT) “Producer Organisations play crucial roles in emerging and developing value chains that link production to consumption. They organise the individual and are therefore key to product development, fair pricing and knowledge sharing. Producer Organizations will increase in importance worldwide because international trends are in favour of production linkages and product information, in stead of the untransparent commodity markets that have prevailed over the past decades. In a way we will see a revival of strong producer-trade-consumer relationships that have made Dutch agriculture into its post second World war success.”
W.Lammers (ICCO/Kerk in Actie “The degree in which producer (organisations) and their households profit from changes, and their socio-economic position improves will eventually decide the rhythm of real development. To achieve this Agri-ProFocus is a rather effective mechanism for joint learning and practical cooperation."

Observers:

• A. de Roos (Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Directorate-General of International Cooperation)
• I. Korving (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality)