Pursuing social and economic goals, producer organizations (POs) play a critical role in reducing poverty and improving food security of small producers, and are powerful vehicles for empowerment of men, women and young people. They facilitate access to agricultural services for their members and defend their interests in policy processes. When they are well-governed, equitable and economically viable, POs are more likely to offer services that respond to the needs of both rural men and women, thus improving their livelihoods, and strengthening their food security and resilience to shocks and crises.