There is a need for strong farmer organizations that can present and represent the interests of smallholders versus more powerful economic groupings in society. However, farmers’ organizations often lack access to the information and evidence needed to develop pro-active proposals to influence these policies. They are often not seriously involved in consultation processes, be it as a result of neglect by policy makers or be it as a result of their own limited capacities, skills and experiences in the processes of engagement with national policy processes and in the formulation of advocacy strategies.