You mentioned in the beginning of the email that your organization is working to have solutions come from the people and communities themselves. perfect. the challenge when brainstorming, I've found, is to not lead to much with your own ideas, even when you think they're perfect for the communities you are working with. If it's going to come from them, it has to come from them. But how to facilitate it so that happens, if that's the best role?

I agree that bringing farmers together with extensionists and others who could provide tangible assistance as part of creating larger infrastructure locally and elsewhere is an exciting opportunity;. Could you talk with some of the farmers you've been working with, and ask them how they think the meeting should be organized to get the best results. Could the farmers be empowered to make a considered request of the officials in attendance to help them with marketing training, market infrastructure, etc? I agree with you that then breaking into small groups is the way that the most people will get to directly share ideas and create solutions, which can then all be shared with each other. That's what I'd think too, but does that fit with local custom and experience?

seems like it would be useful for the farmers to think of some bottom line requests for the officials, what they want to get out of the meeting, what the follow-up will be, etc.