"The role of cooperatives in commercialization of agriculture " on Agri-Hub Ethiopia: http://t.co/WNcuH8Im33, APS: Landbouwminister van Rwanda in Nederland de boer op @ http://t.co/ddvULkJqW8, APS: Landbouwminister van Rwanda in Nederland de boer op @ http://t.co/dKlIg8i1fb, 
1. How does the network benefit your organisation?
In Ethiopia the Ethiopia Learning Alliance has allowed for better support to partners and better exchange of practices and a joint context analysis between the supporting organisations. In Zambia the APF network has made it possible to join forces with Woord & Daad, Hivos, KIT, SNV, Cordaid, and WUR around the ‘Access to Finance’ theme. This resulted in joint partnerships, capacity building support to our partners and publications. Besides support to partners potentially being more effective, the cooperation in specific fields breaks the ground for further cooperation because of the linkages made, in-country as well as across countries, for both Dutch APF members and country partners.
2. Please give an example of a joint action, in which the APF network played a visible role.
Cordaid participated in the Down-2-Earth conference in The Hague on the link between agriculture, food security and climate change. A preparatory seminar for Dutch stakeholders was organised which resulted in a policy letter to the Dutch government. During the Down-2-Earth conference APF organised two workshops covering topics of interest to its member organisations and a number of their partner organisations from the South. APF also coordinated the input of its members towards the final declaration/ road map of the conference.
3. If you were in charge, what should the APF network look like in 5 years’ time?
We think it is important that APF continues with its Agri-Hubs, where possible with a stronger thematic focus. They should include non-Dutch like-minded organisations, which work on a specific theme, leaving open the possibility to also jointly attract back donor funding from other sources. We would also like to explore possibilities of a major engagement of APF in policy discussion, such as the preparation of the annual World Food Day event in the Netherlands, the facilitation of the participation of its members in policy discussions with the ministries of Economic Affairs/Agriculture and Foreign Affairs.
4. How will your organisation contribute to the APF network in the next 2 years?
We would like to continue our participation in APF Zambia and APF Uganda. We would like to explore possibilities of joint lobby at the regional (African) level and to participate in policy discussions on agriculture and food security, if possible in relation to climate.
Contact: Karlijn van Arkel
In 12 African countries, Agri-ProFocus has established successful networks for the promotion of farmer entrepreneurship. Based on the success of these Agri-Hubs, partnership members Hivos, Cordaid and ICCO initiated an exploration into setting up an Agri-Hub in Indonesia in 2013.
On 31 October 2012, the second Agri-ProFocus ‘Food Security Forum’ expert meeting took place at ICCO in Utrecht. The subject was Inclusive Food Security: HOW to design and evaluate effective food security programs and policies, taking all four pillars of food security into account where possible and useful?
Five months after the inception of the Agri-Hub Tanzania, October saw its official launch with a Business Cocktail and a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop. Both events attracted a wide cross-section of actors from the private sector, civil society and government. The government especially hails the initiative, saying it will help the country implement its Kilimo Kwanza program practically.