ICCF 2025 AGENDA
Theme: Exploring Market Opportunities in Contract Farming
Arrival, Registration & Opening Ceremony
0800hrs - 0900hrs
- Arrival and Registration
0900hrs – 0940hrs (Opening Ceremony)
- 0900hrs – 0905hrs Welcome Note
- 0905hrs – 0920hrs Opening Remarks
- 0920hrs – 0940hrs Keynote Address
Session #1
0940hrs – 1020hrs
- ICCF 2024 Recap: Reviewing Key Takeaways and Action Points for 2025 and Beyond
Session Brief: This session will revisit the outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned from ICCF 2024. It will evaluate the progress made in key areas, while identifying gaps and opportunities for continued growth in 2025 and beyond.
1100hrs – 1130hrs
- Tea Break
Session #2
1130hrs – 1220hrs
- Smart Farming and Its Role in Expanding Market Access
Session Brief: This session will explore how smart farming technologies—including digital platforms, AI, IoT, and climate-resilient techniques are transforming contract farming. It will examine how these tools can boost productivity, reduce losses, and enable farmers to meet the evolving demands of local and global markets.
Discussion areas:
- Smart Farming and Its Role in Expanding Market Access
- Use of AI and IoT for predictive farming and quality assurance
- Integrating climate-smart agriculture into contract farming models to ensure sustainability
Session #3
1220hrs – 1300hrs
- Market Access & Buyer Connections
Session Brief: This session will delve into the practical steps that producers, aggregators, and offtakers can take to build and sustain strong buyer-seller relationships. The session will also examine how aligning production with buyer expectations—through mechanisms like quality standards, traceability, and consistency—can enhance the credibility and competitiveness of contract farming models.
Discussion areas:
- Understanding buyer expectations
- Identifying and preparing for opportunities in emerging local and export markets
- Strengthening value chain linkages between producers, intermediaries, and buyers
- Enhancing market access through standardization, certification, and producer aggregation models
- Role of farmer organizations and cooperatives in aggregating production for larger market deals
- Using digital tools to streamline market connections
1300hrs – 1400hrs
- Lunch Break
Session #4
1400hrs – 1515hrs
- Regulatory & Policy Frameworks
Session Brief: This session will examine the critical role of regulatory and policy frameworks in enabling functional and fair contract farming ecosystems. Discussions will explore how government policies, legal instruments, and industry associations can support predictable, transparent, and enforceable market systems.
Discussion areas:
- Government role in supporting market access
- Addressing market entry barriers through policy reforms
- Strengthening contract enforcement mechanisms
- Role of industry associations in policy advocacy and standard setting
1700hrs
- Networking and Exhibition Engagement
Session #5
0900hrs – 1000hrs (Day One Recap and Remarks)
- Opening Keynote
- Opening Remarks
Session #6
1000hrs – 1100hrs
- Inclusive Participation in Contract Farming Panel Discussion
Session Brief: This panel will explore practical strategies to ensure that women, youth, and persons with special needs are meaningfully included in contract farming value chains. Speakers will examine the structural barriers these groups face and highlight policy, financial, and capacity-building interventions that can foster equitable participation.
Discussion areas:
- Removing barriers to entry
- Empowerment strategies for women and youth
- Inclusive financing and support systems
1100hrs – 1130hrs
- Tea Break
Session #7
1130hrs – 1245hrs
- Traceability & Ethical Sourcing
Session Brief: This session will focus on the importance of traceability and ethical sourcing in contract farming as a means to unlock new market opportunities. It will delve into how transparent, sustainable practices can enhance consumer trust and position producers to meet the growing demand for ethically sourced products.
Discussion areas:
- Systems for ensuring product traceability
- Meeting ethical and environmental standards
- Certifications and labels that enhance brand value in international markets
1245hrs – 1400hrs
- Lunch Break
Session #8
1400hrs – 1500hrs
- Crop & Livestock Insurance - Role in improving market access and buyer confidence
Session Brief: This session will explore how crop and livestock insurance products can play a pivotal role in mitigating risks associated with contract farming. The discussion will focus on how insurance can enhance buyer confidence by ensuring stable supply chains and enabling farmers to manage production uncertainties.
Discussion areas:
- Role of insurance in risk management
- Innovative insurance models for farmers
- Integrating insurance into contract farming agreements
Session #9
1500hrs –1545hrs
- Market Trends & Consumer Preferences - Panel Discussion
Session Brief: This session will explore evolving market trends, particularly in organic produce and sustainability, and how contract farmers can capitalize on these shifts to remain competitive. The discussion will examine how farmers can align their production practices with changing consumer behavior, and how to leverage certifications, marketing strategies, and value-added opportunities to meet these demands.
Discussion areas:
- Leveraging organic and sustainable certifications to meet market demand
- Adapting to consumer preferences for sustainability and ethical sourcing
- Opportunities for contract farmers in the organic and sustainability markets
Session #10
1545hrs – 1630hrs
- Future of Market-Driven Contract Farming
Session Brief: This session will engage in a forward-looking discussion on expanding contract farming’s market reach, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Discussion areas:
- Future trends in contract farming
- Building resilience in agricultural value chains through diversification
- Strategic partnerships and collaborations to support growth and sustainability
Session #11
1630hrs – 1700hrs (Closing Remarks)
- Summary and way forward
- Thank you note from the host