Welcome to SACAU
The Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions
The Organisation
SACAU is a membership-based regional farmers’ organisation representing the common interests of farmers in southern Africa. It currently has 19 member national farmers’ associations in 12 countries in southern Africa.
The Foundation
SACAU believes that strong farmers’ organisations are a prerequisite for strengthening the position and well-being of farming communities in countries within the southern African region.
Diversity
The organisation embraces diversity and believes in integrating all agricultural systems within the region, and that they can all co-exist harmoniously. The SACAU membership base comprises small, medium, and large-scale commercial sectors of the farming community.
SACAU is committed to a transformative agenda for agricultural development that is growth oriented and focused on enterprise development. At its core, SACAU promotes, advances, protects, and defends the common interests of farmers in the region.
Its brand is associated with good corporate governance, professionalism, thought leadership, and development management.
Vision
A vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable farming sector that ensures food and nutrition security, as well as contribute to economic growth and development in southern Africa.
Mission
To be the main voice of farmers on regional, continental and global matters and to promote strong and effective farmers’ organisations in southern Africa.
Values and principles
The following provides the framework of engagement and relations between the organisation and its members, partners and stakeholders: consultation, transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity, objectivity, impartiality, professionalism, non-discrimination, independence, subsidiarity and complementarity, as well as non-partisan.
Consultation
Transparency
Accountability
Honesty and integrity
Objectivity
Impartiality
Professionalism
Non-discrimination
Independence
Subsidiarity and complementarity
Non-partisan
Consultation
Transparency
Accountability
Honesty and integrity
Objectivity
Impartiality
Professionalism
Non-discrimination
Independence
Subsidiarity and complementarity
Non-partisan
Objectives
The following are the founding objectives of the organisation:
- To enhance the legitimacy and relevance of organised farmers representation in southern Africa
- To promote the maintenance, and establishment where necessary, of strong agricultural unions within southern Africa as a prerequisite to the strengthening of the position and well-being of farmers and farming communities within the various countries of the region
- To foster mutual cooperation and understanding between farmers’ organisations, policy makers and the farming community in southern Africa with a view to strengthening the voice of agriculture and promoting the well-being of all farmers and the viability and sustainability of agriculture in the region
- To provide a forum for the discussion of matters of common concern to member organisations and/or their associates and in the process to promote a common understanding of, and approach to, such matters
- To disseminate views and information to members and other relevant organisations, including other farmer/producer organisations, governments, regional economic communities, private sector and development agencies
- To promote cooperation in the agricultural and related fields between farmers’ organisations, governments, regional economic communities, research institutions, private sector development agencies and civil society organisations within southern Africa in order to promote agriculture in the region vis-à-vis the rest of the world
- To associate and/or collaborate with any bodies having objectives or interests similar or complimentary to those of SACAU.
Recognition
SACAU is officially recognised by COMESA and SADC as the farmers’ voice on matters relating to agricultural development in southern Africa. The organisation is also recognised by various other regional, continental and global institutions with whom it has established strategic and operational partnerships.
Associations
SACAU belongs to a larger family of farmers’ organisations. It is a founding member of the Pan African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO) and is associated with Agricord and the World Farmers’ Organisation.
Social
News
COP26 article: “The cow in the room: why is no one talking about farming at Cop26?”
We herewith share a very interesting article published in the The Guardian on Tue 9 Nov 2021 12.30 GMT by Jonathan Watts and Phoebe Weston Titled: " The cow in the room: why is no one talking about farming at Cop26? " ...
Strengthening NDCs in southern Africa to be more representative of farmer interests
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are policy instruments, mandated under the Paris Agreement, to set out a country’s self determined plans to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance resilience by...
From the CEO: Ishmael Sunga
This issue is entirely devoted to farmers and the UNFSS (United Nations Food Systems Summit). Preparations for the engagement of farmers in the 2021 UNFSS have gathered momentum. Until recently, our engagement has largely been through our involvement in various global...
SACAU proactively prepares FOs for participation in UNFSS processes
On Monday 19 April 2021 SACAU is hosting a UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Member Consultation Workshop via Zoom from 10h00 - 13h00 (SAST). The purpose of the workshop is to better equip farmers’ organisations (FOs) and their members for effective participation in...
From the CEO: Ishmael Sunga
Indeed 2020 was a unique and extraordinarily difficult year for farmers and everyone else alike. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating, causing unprecedented, widespread pandemonium, and impacting all sectors and virtually all spheres of human life....
SACAU is registered in The Republic of South Africa, COMPANIES ACT, 2008
Registration Number of Association: 2006/024245/08
