Download - Farming First presentation
Dr. Lindiwe SibandaCEO, FANRPANApril 30, 2009
Farming First Presentation
www.farmingfirst.org
The Context for Farming First
Results & Risks- Hunger levels in sub-Saharan Africa are rising- 1 in 4 people facing water scarcity by 2025- Poor regions are more affected by climate change
Supply-side Challenges
- 40-55% declines in arable land per capita by 2030
- More extreme and volatile weather from climate change
- Gaps in farm labour productivity where LDCs have less than 1% the levels of developed countries
Demand-side Challenges
- Global population will rise by 1.7 billion people by 2030
- Consumption trends are toward more energy intensive foods, such as
meat.
- Agriculture’s share of foreign aid has dropped from 17% to 3%
The Farming First Plan: Enhancing Sustainable Development through Agriculture
- Farmer-centered: focused on giving farmers, especially smallholder farmers, the tools and information they need.
- Inclusive: of all groups throughout the agricultural supply chain, from farmers and suppliers to policymakers and scientists.
- Knowledge-driven: comprehensive in its approach to finding sustainable systemic solutions for agricultural production balancing environmental, economic, and social needs.
The Farming First Supporters
3 Major Groups with consultative status at the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (UNCSD):
i. Farmers
ii. Scientists
iii. Business & Industry
Supporters include:• The International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)• The International Council for Science (ICSU)• CropLife International• The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)
6 Key Principles
1. Safeguard Natural Resources
Improve land management practices• Conservation tillage• Watershed management Wildlife habitat and biodiversity protection Creation of incentives for ecosystem services
2. Share knowledge
Enabling farmers to use resources in a sustainable way• Improve agronomic education for farmers• Develop village-based knowledge centres • Provide access to market, weather, crop information through ICTs• Encourage two-way exchanges with farmers and between farmers
3. Build Local Access
Give access to tools to complement knowledge• Improve access to land and water, especially for women• Provide rural access to microfinance services• Provide access to agricultural inputs and services• Build infrastructure
4. Protect Harvests
Reduce losses to improve returns• Build local storage facilities and transportation mechanisms• Localise the application of knowledge and information• Improve awareness of sustainable consumption • Provide risk management tools such drought insurance to farmers
5. Enable Market Access
Help farmers achieve better livelihoods• Provide remote access to up-to-date market pricing information• Develop well-functioning markets• Encourage co-operative approaches• Improve smallholder farmers’ marketing skills• Reduce market distortions at al levels of agriculture worldwide
6. Prioritise Research Imperatives
Meet the challenges of the future• Conduct research on soil fertility, water availability, crop losses and climate change• Improve productivity through responsible science and technology• Increase public and private investment in R&D• Promote farmer-centered research• Establish public-private partnerships