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Gathering the grassroots: farmer groups as vehicles for political mobilization of small-scale farmers in Uganda

Isgren, Ellinor LU ; Laury Ocen, Lawrence ; Atwiine, Adrine and Byaruhanga, Ronald LU (2025) In Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems p.1-30
Abstract
Collective action by small-scale farmers can contribute significantly toward rural development. One important aspect that remains relatively neglected, especially in research set in Africa, is the role of farmer collectives in political processes. We study the local-level dynamics of a farmer-based organization mobilizing for agroecology and food sovereignty in Uganda. Through qualitative, collaborative research we examine the origins, characteristics and challenges of eight farmer groups, with a particular interest in how collective action is sustained and political mobilization gets fostered among the grassroots. Compared to the traditional NGOs that dominate the civil society landscape, we argue that organizations structured upon farmer... (More)
Collective action by small-scale farmers can contribute significantly toward rural development. One important aspect that remains relatively neglected, especially in research set in Africa, is the role of farmer collectives in political processes. We study the local-level dynamics of a farmer-based organization mobilizing for agroecology and food sovereignty in Uganda. Through qualitative, collaborative research we examine the origins, characteristics and challenges of eight farmer groups, with a particular interest in how collective action is sustained and political mobilization gets fostered among the grassroots. Compared to the traditional NGOs that dominate the civil society landscape, we argue that organizations structured upon farmer groups are conducive to building grassroots engagement. We especially highlight the role of reflexive experimentation with agricultural alternatives, and suggest that the emerging fabric of local farmer groups expands mobilization opportunities. However, groups also experience many challenges including problematic gender dynamics, and political mobilization cannot be expected to simply emerge from collective action. For fostering democratically governed agri-food systems, we identify three important forms of “literacy” that surrounding organizations can support farmer groups in building: institutional, agroecological, and political. (Less)
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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
pages
1 - 30
publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISSN
2168-3565
DOI
10.1080/21683565.2025.2602789
project
Mobilizing farmer organisations for sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e6afa7b8-98b6-4d0c-8f4a-d73bc97be057
date added to LUP
2025-12-17 15:22:21
date last changed
2025-12-18 10:26:36
@article{e6afa7b8-98b6-4d0c-8f4a-d73bc97be057,
  abstract     = {{Collective action by small-scale farmers can contribute significantly toward rural development. One important aspect that remains relatively neglected, especially in research set in Africa, is the role of farmer collectives in political processes. We study the local-level dynamics of a farmer-based organization mobilizing for agroecology and food sovereignty in Uganda. Through qualitative, collaborative research we examine the origins, characteristics and challenges of eight farmer groups, with a particular interest in how collective action is sustained and political mobilization gets fostered among the grassroots. Compared to the traditional NGOs that dominate the civil society landscape, we argue that organizations structured upon farmer groups are conducive to building grassroots engagement. We especially highlight the role of reflexive experimentation with agricultural alternatives, and suggest that the emerging fabric of local farmer groups expands mobilization opportunities. However, groups also experience many challenges including problematic gender dynamics, and political mobilization cannot be expected to simply emerge from collective action. For fostering democratically governed agri-food systems, we identify three important forms of “literacy” that surrounding organizations can support farmer groups in building: institutional, agroecological, and political.}},
  author       = {{Isgren, Ellinor and Laury Ocen, Lawrence and Atwiine, Adrine and Byaruhanga, Ronald}},
  issn         = {{2168-3565}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--30}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems}},
  title        = {{Gathering the grassroots: farmer groups as vehicles for political mobilization of small-scale farmers in Uganda}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2025.2602789}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/21683565.2025.2602789}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}