This issue of Baobab focuses on Farmers’ Organisations. The theme is informed by the reality that farmers are able to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for national and global aspirations of food security and food sovereignty when they are well organised and able to speak in one voice. Globally, it is becoming increasingly common for agencies that support farmers, particularly small scale farmers, to seek out and listen to farmers directly where this is possible. Whereas it is good and beneficial for other groups such as civil society organisations, cooperatives and ministries of agriculture to advance the cause of farmers, the truth is that farmers are most familiar with the challenges they face with respect to optimising production in a sustainable manner; accessing needed inputs and eventually fair markets for their produce.