Global Family Farming Forum

Family farmers produce 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms, meaning that a good portion of the food you eat everyday probably comes from a family farm. As well as contributing to food security and nutrition worldwide, family farmers also manage natural resources, innovate in the face of climate events, ensure the cohesion of rural communities and preserve cultural heritage.

But family farming has greater potential still. With stronger support through public policies and investments, more could be done. The United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019–28 (UNDFF) provides just such a framework to develop, improve and implement public policies and investments supporting family farming. Since its launch in 2019, it has facilitated the adoption of policies in countries all over the world, increasingly brought governments into the conversation on family farming, and raised commitments supporting family farming globally.

Global Family Farming Forum
In 2024, the UNDFF is at its halfway point. To mark this important milestone, a Global Forum will be held at FAO Headquarters between 15 and 17 October 2024. Co-organized by FAO and IFAD, the event will celebrate family farming as the backbone of diverse, innovative and dynamic agrifood systems; identify policy innovations that support family farming and showcase examples of successful experiences from all over the world. With innovation, gender equality, science, investment and support for family farming at its forefront, the Forum will be led by young farmers, who will guide discussions on priorities for the future of agrifood systems.

Family farmers are food heroes!
The Global Family Farming Forum will pay homage to family farmers worldwide, taking place in a special farm building on FAO premises. Participants will have the chance to explore an exhibition celebrating the diversity of family farming, examples of innovative and interactive solutions, an exciting programme of sessions, and an on-site radio station, which will broadcast additional discussions and interviews to listeners all over the world!

Government representatives, governmental agencies, representatives of UN agencies, family farmers and their organizations, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, academia and the media will all come together for the event, which promises big conversations on big topics.

United by the theme “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow”, the Global Family Farming Forum is held in the same week as the World Food Forum. Click here to find out more.

Family farming is…?
What does family farming mean to you? Share your thoughts on family farming in this milestone year for the UNDFF using the hashtag #FamilyFarming and following @FAOFFKP and @FAO_AgriFam on X (formerly Twitter).

Other events in 2024

2024 has set the stage for a series of seminars focusing on the future of family farming:

 

Why is family farming persisting?	Aided by statistical evidence and real-life testimonies, we explore how family farms are adapting to changing circumstances and continue to be vital, both for rural and urban communities. View the webcast.
Family farming and climate-resilient food systems	Agrifood systems face many environmental challenges, but family farms have great potential to drive sustainable transformation. With coherent, holistic and integrated policies, family farmers could increase their contributions to climate-resilient agrifood systems. View the webcast.
A global reference tool for family farming policies	The Learning Framework for Inclusive, Integrated and Innovative Public Policy Cycles for Family Farming is a global reference tool for family farming policies that is tailored to meet local, national and regional priorities; helping conceptualize, design and implement contextualized public policies.
Public procurement programmes for family farming	Exploring the role of public procurement programmes for family farming, we look at the global challenges, the enabling tools and good examples of school feeding policies and programmes. Session one: Family farming in various public procurement mechanisms Session two: Enabling tools for public procurement programmes and policies for family farming
Rural Communication Services (RCS) and inclusive innovation approaches for family farming	Looking at perspectives, trends, and experiences with RCS, we explore approaches to inclusive innovation for family farming, and a framework to highlight ideas and cross-fertilize between RCS and innovation to advance family farming. View webcast (morning session) View webcast (afternoon session)

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