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Family Farms “We want to uplift the conditions of family “To produce food for the world, for humani- farmers so that they can ty, is one of the noblest have real dignity and Towards stronger occupations. An interna- be proud to be family tional year dedicated to farmers… and that the family farmers profoundly young generation will FAMILY honours our work.” continue to go to family - Francisca Rodriguez of CLOC - La Via Campesina farming, and thereby FARMS reduce poverty and increase food security and nutrition.” - Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association, FAO Special Ambassador for the International Year of Family Farming “Africa can feed itself because we have enough arable land and fresh water. What is lacking is the commitment of our governments to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders. The voices of food producers are crucial.” – Elisabeth Atangana of the Pan African Farmers Organization “We are not seeking subsidies, we are seeking legis- lation that facilitates the lives of small scale farmers and fisherfolk.” - Natalia Laiño of the World Forum of Fisher People I4171E/1/10.14 Voices in the International Year of Family Farming Towards stronger FAMILY FARMS Voices in the International Year of Family Farming FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2014 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. © FAO, 2014 FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licence-request or addressed to [email protected]. FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/publications) and can be purchased through [email protected]. Table of contents v Foreword I am the family farm vi “I am all those sunny mornings full of energy and the pleasure of moving the herd from paddock to paddock…. I want to help create a food system that is fairer, in which farmers live better and eaters eat better.” Introduction: The International 01 Year of Family Farming The International Year of Family Farming put the Photo: Rose Ogala spotlight on the essential contributions that family farmers make. As a result, we are already seeing Kenya. 2 greater political commitment to supporting family farmers and creating pro-family farming policies. Africa 02 Some of the world’s most vulnerable family farmers live in sub-Saharan Africa. The region proposes policies that can ensure Africans are able to feed themselves and contribute to global food security by having a more productive family ebileg Ulgiit farming sector that engages men, women and future generations. Photo: Erden Asia Pacific In the highly diverse Asian and Pacific region, 07 Mongolia. 7 family farmers face unfavourable agricultural policies, population displacement and climate change. The region calls for policies that include the protection of the rights of family farmers, stable food prices and more involvement of family farmers in policy, research and extension. Europe and Central Asia 12 Family farmers are the biggest investors in agriculture and food production in Europe but they face an ageing rural population and policies that often do not meet their needs. The region recommends measures such as the re-direction of Photo: Ramon Lienhard public investment and knowledge gathering towards family farmers and the removal of policy constraints. Switzerland. 12 iii Latin America and Caribbean 17 The contribution of family farming to development is increasingly being recognized in Latin American policies. To advance further, the region proposes protection of farmer leaders, incentives for farmer organizations, and policies that favour small scale producers. It suggests building on successful initiatives in the region. Photo: Natalia Virginia Lozano Broncales Photo: Natalia Virginia Near East and North Africa Peru. 17 23 Insecure land tenure, chronic undernourishment, violent conflicts, water scarcity and the impacts of climate change make life very hard for family farmers in this region. Key recommendations include the provision of land titles, greater autonomy for farmer organizations and more inclusive policy making processes. North America Photo: Issam Zerrok 27 This region, encompassing Mexico, the US and Canada, calls for policies that promote farming among young people, a fairer price for farmers Morocco. 23 and better access to knowledge and farmland. Conclusion 29 Recommendations for policy change are strikingly similar across regions. Cross-sectoral approaches and agrarian reform must result in access to natural resources, improved trade and new markets, gender equity, stronger farmer organizations, farmer-led extension and greater Photo: Natasha Bowens youth involvement. This will ensure that family USA. 27 farmers can thrive and remain part of the solution. This publication draws from reports FAO Regional Conferences are an Edited by Cover photo: Taken in Nicaragua and notes from a series of events in the official bi-annual forum where minis- Janneke Bruil (ILEIA) by Julie Lunde Lillesæter. International Year of Family Farming: ters of agriculture and high officials of Member States from the same geo- With contributions from: Back cover photo: Taken in Regional Dialogues on Family graphic region meet to elaborate on Hakim Baliraine, Leonardo van den Argentina by Paula Taraborelli. Farming were organized by the Food challenges and priority matters related Berg, Warren Borda, Harmony Folz, and Agriculture Organization in col- to food and agriculture, to enhance Hanny van Geel, Teresa Gianella, Produced by ILEIA, Centre laboration with the World Rural Forum, regional policy coherence. Family Eduardo Giesen, Nick Pasiecznik, for Learning on Sustainable the International Cooperative Alliance farming was on the agenda of each Francesco Maria Pierri, Teobaldo Agriculture, in collaboration and the World Farmers Organization to Regional Conference in 2014. Pinzas, Brendan Rice and Edith van with and printed by increase the understanding of the Walsum. Food and Agriculture family farming context in each region, Read more about the International Organization of the and identify challenges, opportunities Year of Family Farming at Layout United Nations. and policy priorities to support family www.fao.org/family-farming-2014 Twin Media bv, Culemborg, farming and eradicate hunger. the Netherlands Rome, 2014 Civil society consultations are orga- Photos nized in conjunction with FAO Re- All photos in the publication gional Conferences to ensure engage- were entries in the 2014 photo ment in FAO regional policy discus- competition ‘Family farmers: sions and decision making by civil feeding the world, caring for society, social movements and produc- the earth’ organized by the ers’ organizations that give organiza- AgriCultures Network and the tional, economic, and social clout to World Rural Forum. smallholder farmers, pastoralists and those who rely on fishing and forestry ivfor their livelihoods. Foreword With more than 500 million family farms poor market access, insecure land tenure in the world out of 570 million farms, and policies that do not respond to the family farming is the predominant mode needs of family farmers. Women and of agricultural production in the world. youth are particularly affected by these Family farms produce about 80 percent challenges. of the world’s food in value terms, and collectively they are the largest source We have learned that targeted agricultural of employment worldwide. The United policies should be developed that Nations General Assembly declared 2014 respond to the specific needs of family the International Year of Family Farming farmers, region by region. They must (IYFF) in order to raise the profile of family respect their way of life, because family farming in the agricultural, environmental farming is much more than a mode of and social policies in national agendas. food production, it’s also a way of life. The resounding goal of this process is to As the agency tasked with implementing bring about strong political commitment the 2014 IYFF, FAO set in motion an in support of family farmers. extensive policy dialogue process with its Member Countries, relevant agencies of The fruits of this journey are captured the United Nations, international family in this publication. Together, these key farmers’ organizations and networks, moments weave together
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