They are an Asian alliance of national farmers organizations composed of small scale women and men family farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples, forest users, herders, and pastoralists.

They were established in 2002 after a series of farmers’ exchange visits organized by AsiaDHRRA,  a partner Asian regional NGO.  In these exchange visits, conducted over three years, they saw the great need to come together to share, learn and act on our common desire for a better quality of life for ourselves, our families, and our farming communities.

AFA invites national farmer organizations as members. They work with other CSOs in facilitating the formation of national farmer organizations and cooperatives and in continuously building their capacities.

AFA convenes a General Assembly every two years, an Executive Committee meeting every year, and an online Management Committee meeting every month.