On May 14, 2024, FAO headquarters hosted a vital discussion on the role of family farming in developing climate-resilient agrifood systems. The meeting is part of a series of seminars, discussions and events that will be held through 2024 in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Family farming 2019 - 2028 (UNDFF) mid-term forum, set to take place in Rome during the week of the World Food Forum in October.

 

This event gathered family farmers, government representatives, researchers, and experts from FAO and IFAD to address the pressing environmental challenges posed by current agrifood systems and the significant potential of family farms to drive sustainable transformation.

The backdrop of the discussion is a critical one. Today's agrifood systems are major contributors to deforestation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, soil depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions, all of which exacerbate climate change. At the same time, climate change itself is undermining recent progress in sustainable rural livelihoods and the fight against hunger and malnutrition. The intertwined issues of biodiversity loss and competition for natural resources add layers of complexity to these challenges.

 

To address these pressing issues, it is essential to accelerate the transition to sustainable and climate-resilient agrifood systems. Such systems must provide economic and social opportunities while protecting the ecosystems and natural resources upon which agriculture depends. They must also respect the cultural and social diversity of territories.

On the frontline of the climate and environmental crisis, family farmers keep producing about 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms. Their deep-rooted understanding of local ecologies makes them key players in biodiversity preservation and climate action. As Professor Favareto emphasized, "For sustainable and real transformation in our agrifood system, we need to recognize the diversity in family farming at the global level and interconnect various global agendas, such as climate change and inequality, taking bold, strategic moves."

 

During the discussion, Mr. Oliveros highlighted the critical role of agroecology in sustainable transformation and stressed the need for funding mechanisms tailored to the needs and capacities of family farmer organizations. Ms. Steihaug shared insights from Norway, underscoring the importance of complementary and diverse policies to support family farming effectively.

Mr. Sherwood presented methods where scientists and farmers collaborate to improve soil fertility and diversity, renew carbon cycles, and mitigate climate impacts. Mr. Bhandari showcased examples from Nepal, illustrating the success of combined policy, institutional, market, and financial support for family farmers, and called for empowering family farmer organizations to realize sustainable transformation.

 

The session explored key questions, such as the main policy convergences and divergences between the environmental and climate agenda and family farming priorities. It also discussed potential policy adjustments and showcased interventions that support family farming while contributing to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.