Identifying the right stakeholders is crucial for farmers looking to connect with organic consumers, secure investments, or gain guidance on sustainable practices. Stakeholders play a pivotal role in driving success, but finding the most relevant individuals or organizations can be challenging. To simplify this process, we explore a proven method from Claringbould et al. (2016) that helps farmers systematically identify and engage stakeholders effectively.
What Is a Stakeholder?
A stakeholder is anyone who can impact or be impacted by a decision or action. According to Claringbould et al. (2016), stakeholders may have varying interests, operate at different scales, and may not always be immediately visible. They could be individuals, members of organizations, or organizations themselves.
Since stakeholders can come from unexpected places, the method leverages snowball sampling. Start by listing potential stakeholders and asking them for recommendations of others who may also fit your needs. This iterative process expands your network and increases your chances of achieving your objectives.
Steps to Identify Stakeholders
To identify and engage stakeholders systematically, follow these five steps:
Step 1: Define Your Goal and Stakeholder Needs
- Clearly articulate your objective and why you need stakeholders.
- Identify the types of stakeholders you need and their relevance to your goal.
Step 2: Outline Stakeholder Characteristics
Describe the characteristics of your ideal stakeholders by considering:
- Areas of involvement: e.g., education, environmental protection, agriculture, water management.
- Roles or interests: e.g., landowner, consumer, market opportunities provider, equipment supplier.
- Sectors: e.g., government, NGOs, private enterprises, academia, civil society.
Step 3: Create an Initial Stakeholder List
Start by listing stakeholders you think are relevant:
- Basic information: Name, organization, contact details, location, and size.
- Organizational structure: Determine if they are part of a larger organization or have sub-offices that may also be relevant.
- Area of focus: Identify if their interest is ecological (e.g., river basins) or administrative (e.g., districts).
Step 4: Contact and Validate Stakeholder Information
Reach out to stakeholders to:
- Confirm the details you have about them.
- Clarify their engagement with your goal.
- Ask for recommendations from other potential stakeholders.
Use prompts to identify overlooked areas, such as: “Do you know of any organizations involved in water management that could be relevant?”
Step 5: Expand the Network
Repeat Step 4 with newly identified stakeholders until you’ve established a robust network.
Example Application
Using Claringbould et al.'s methodology, consider this example of a stakeholder identification process in soil management:
Goal: Identify stakeholders who influence or are affected by soil management decisions.
Who to target: Individuals or organizations at local (farm) levels or broader scales (regional/national).
1. Describe stakeholder characteristics
- Areas of involvement: agriculture, forestry, environmental conservation, etc.
- Roles: landowner, advisor, policymaker, or product certifier.
- Sectors: private enterprise, government, academia, NGOs, etc.
2. List stakeholders
- Include their basic information, organizational structure, and focus areas.
3. Validate and expand
- Confirm their details and explore additional stakeholder recommendations.
4. Track stakeholders in a table
- Record names, topics of involvement, roles, and sectors for better organization.
Stakeholder Table Example
Benefits of This Method
This methodology ensures:
- Comprehensive network building: Snowball sampling increases your chances of finding the right stakeholders.
- Clear documentation: Keeping organized records simplifies communication and follow-up.
- Goal alignment: Stakeholders are chosen based on their relevance to your objectives.
By implementing this approach, farmers can unlock new opportunities, build stronger networks, and achieve their farming goals more effectively.
References
Claringbould, H., Fleskens, L., Hessel, R., Leventon, J., & Schwilch, G. (2016). An applied methodology for stakeholder identification in transdisciplinary research. Sustainability Science, 11(5), 763–775. doi: 10.1007/s11625-016-0385-1
Further reading
Farmers Cooperatives: Strengthening Small Farmers Through Collective Action
Farming 101 – How to be a Farmer – Step by Step Guide
Strategies for Small-Scale Farmers in Tropical Africa to Adapt to Climate Change
Cocoa Sustainability and Farmers’ Empowerment
The importance of Networking and Collaboration amongst Farmers In Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa
Empowering Small-Scale Farmers: Strengthening Market Access and Value Chains
Unraveling the Impact of Contract Farming in Nigeria’s Agricultural Ecosystem