Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

World Rural Forum - Latin America and the Caribbean

The consulted organisations agree on the objectives proposed in the instrument. Regarding the beneficiaries, it is mentioned that the instrument should not only focus on low-income countries, and suggested not to lose sight of countries categorised as developed, as some countries in Latin America have high levels of inequality. Livestock farmers and pastoralists are family farmers and this category should be reflected in the instrument, stating that in many cases family farmers carry out mixed farming activities, growing crops and raising animals at the same time.

The case of Argentina was mentioned, where livestock farming is a very important sector characterised by its informality in many cases. This means that small informal livestock farmers do not have access to state subsidies, are outside the system, do not keep records and do not have access to veterinary services. Because Argentina is very large and sometimes it is necessary to travel many kilometres to complete formal procedures.

For this reason, they consider that small livestock producers are invisible, at least in the countries that are meat exporters, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. Small producers make a great contribution to nutrition at the local level, but because of their informal status, they are invisible and do not have access to resources.

This small-scale productivity instrument is considered as a circular economy in which to profit from all aspects of farm production. As an example, the use of manure for composting. There are topics such as gene banks or the use of new technologies, areas in which small family livestock farmers do not have access to information, therefore, it is important that this type of tool gives the opportunity to train small family farmers in innovative and emerging areas to get the most out of their production.

Public policies of the countries in the region sometimes do not respond sufficiently to the needs of family farmers, are weak and obsolete. For this reason, greater focus should be paid to overcome the possible barriers to implementing this voluntary tool.

Another issue highlighted is the financing of small family farmers. It essential to guarantee investment for small producers so that they can respond to unforeseen events such as floods or droughts. It should also include risk policies with a low rate to compensate them in the event of a disaster so that they can recover.

They claim that this tool aims to provide opportunities for family farmers through training and information on productivity development, but many of the family farmers themselves are not really aware of the effect they are having on the local economy through their actions. It would be interesting if they could be shown how their small-scale practices contribute significantly to local and national food supply, food security and nutrition.

It is also important to incorporate other elements into the dialogue, such as new production models, energy consumption models and climate change. It is also important to include more representation from civil society organisations and other farmers' and livestock farmers' organisations in the dialogue.

Finally, they point out that many farmers and pastoralists feel threatened by macro food businesses and extractivist systems of land occupation. Therefore, small farmers are trying to generate better conditions to protect their productions, hand in hand with actions to protect the soil, the environment and regenerative livestock farming.

The “Manual on Agroecological Goat Breeding" produced by INCUPO (Argentina) was shared as an interesting material for consideration in the development of the tool.

World Rural Forum - Africa

In Africa it is necessary to enhance policy frameworks for sustainable land use management in livestock farming.

It is recommended that the tool should provide guidelines on issues relevant to a sustainable intensive and extensive livestock farming system, based on animal and environmentally friendly practices, so that farmers, especially at the grassroots level, know and understand them very well in order to be able to apply them. Animal rights were also emphasised, e.g. overcrowding on production farms, the abuse of antibiotics and waste management. The rights of farmers and herders should also be taken into account. For example, in cases where nomadic pastoralists are evicted from grazing land and other cases on land tenure for small-scale livestock owners.

Considering the devastating conditions that are emerging in the environment as a consequence of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, it is remarked that intensive livestock farming, where large flocks of animals coexist in a confined space, produce a lot of waste and this waste turns out to be dangerous for our ecosystem due to greenhouse gas emissions.

In that sense, farmers want to continue working with their livestock, but they do not want to be part of the pollution and global warming problem due to the production systems they use. Therefore, they value the possibility to further study and research this problem in order to find sustainable solutions.

A good practice in Uganda was shared by ESAFF, where family farmers are grazing dairy cows that feed and nourish the whole family and allow them to save money to spend on other basic needs. Have set up cooperatives to support families who choose to graze dairy cows.

World Rural Forum - Europe and Central Asia

It is considered that the report document is very focused on productivity. A stronger focus on sustainability is recommended. It is crucial to put the farmer, the land, the family, the role of women, youth, ecology, environment and professional development at the centre alongside productivity.

Greater attention is recommended to discuss the role of smallholders and their ecosystem services that benefit society and the global challenges of climate change and desertification that we are currently facing.

The focus should be on low- and middle-income countries and small-scale livestock production as vital factors.

Certain limitations to the tool are identified: the specificities and diversities of small-scale livestock production vary from region to region and from country to country. That makes difficult to take into account all the specificities to be considered in a single tool. For when we rise to a global level, the overview becomes less clear, and we may miss some essential details.

The new Pastoralist Law for leasing land for nomadic pastoralism in Kyrgyzstan was highlighted as a successful experience in the region.

World Rural Forum - Asia and the Pacific

The tool is considered applicable to the producers’ organizations in the region, especially as it focuses on smallholder farmers and the opportunity to strengthen their livelihoods through livestock production.

Good practices being developed by PIFON in some Pacific countries were highlighted, integrating livestock into a regenerative agriculture system.

Des de Cataluña nos parece muy buena idea hacer un proceso de consulta sobre la mejora sostenible de la productividad de la ganadería a pequeña escala. En este sentido en Cataluña hemos estado trabajando en un procedimiento de la producción agrària sostenible de manera que las explotacions tanto agrícoles como ganaderas puedan calcular su perfil de sostenibilidad y de manera voluntària puedan certificarse. Hemos contemplado todas las explotacions ya sean pequñas com grandes y mediante las tres vertientes (ambiental, econòmica y social). Además estamos elaborando una ley de la producción agraria sostenible. 

En cuanto a los objetivos presentados en la consulta, nos parecen adecuados. Sobretodo el objetivo de “Identificar acciones y prácticas que los productores pecuarios en pequeña escala y los actores de la cadena de valor afines podrían aplicar o promover.” Nos parece muy interesante este punto, ya que es complicado establecer dichas acciones debido a la complejidad del sector ganadero, puesto que presenta muchas variabilidades en función de la especie y tipo de explotación (intensiva, semi-extensiva, extensiva). 

En cuanto a la naturaleza y alcance del instrumento, pensamos que es buena idea empezar a pequeña escala en países de ingresos bajos y medios. Sin embargo, es importante poder en un futuro traspasar los métodos y resultados obtenidos de este proceso a una escala mayor y a países desarrollados donde también la ganadería local tiene un peso importante en la economía.

Finalmente, creemos que iniciativas como ésta son muy importantes para la mejora de la productividad ganadera a pequeña escala, de manera social, económica y ambientalmente sostenible y que podrá generar beneficios directos para muchas personas y para el cambio climático y la degradación del medio ambiente.

Small-scale livestock production in Sri Lanka plays a vital role in the country's agricultural landscape, providing a source of livelihood for many rural communities and contributing to the nation's food security. Livestock farming in Sri Lanka typically includes cattle, goats, poultry, and pigs, among other smaller animals.

Cattle farming is prevalent, with farmers raising indigenous breeds for milk and meat production. These animals are often well-adapted to local conditions and contribute to the dairy industry. Goats are also commonly raised for meat, and their ability to thrive in diverse environments makes them suitable for small-scale farming.

Poultry farming, particularly chicken rearing, is a popular and accessible enterprise for small-scale farmers. Chickens are raised for both meat and egg production, providing a valuable source of protein and income. Additionally, backyard poultry farming allows farmers to manage their flocks with relatively low input costs.

Pig farming is another aspect of small-scale livestock production in Sri Lanka, with farmers rearing pigs for meat consumption. Pigs are often kept in small numbers, and their adaptability to different feed sources makes them suitable for smallholder operations.

Small-scale livestock farmers in Sri Lanka face various challenges, including limited access to resources, technical knowledge, and markets. The government and non-governmental organizations often implement programs to support these farmers through training, improved breeding practices, and market linkages.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in small-scale livestock production. Efforts are being made to promote better animal husbandry practices, reduce environmental impact, and enhance overall productivity.

Overall, small-scale livestock production in Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of many rural communities, contributing to food security, income generation, and the overall development of the agricultural sector. Continued support and investment in this sector are essential for the well-being of small-scale farmers and the sustainable growth of the livestock industry in Sri Lanka.

Voluntary guidance tool for the sustainable enhancement of small-scale livestock productivity – Need, scope, nature, and development process

Developing a guidance tool is a timely requirement to facilitate the promotion of small-scale livestock productivity.  I fully agree with an immense importance of this activity when I consider the current status of small-scale livestock productivity in Sri Lanka.

Small-scale livestock production in Sri Lanka plays a vital role in the country's agricultural landscape, providing a source of livelihood for many rural communities and contributing to the nation's food security. Livestock farming in Sri Lanka typically includes cattle, goats, pigs and poultry.  However, there is no clear definitions on how we categorize farms as small-scale and large-scale.

Cattle farming is prevalent, with farmers raising indigenous breeds or their crosses for milk and meat production. These animals are often well-adapted to local conditions and contribute to the dairy industry. Goats are also commonly raised for meat, and their ability to thrive in diverse environments makes them suitable for small-scale farming.

Pig farming is another aspect of small-scale livestock production in Sri Lanka, with farmers rearing pigs for meat consumption. Pigs are often kept in small numbers, and their adaptability to different feed sources makes them suitable for smallholder operations.

Poultry farming, particularly chicken rearing, is a popular and accessible enterprise for small-scale farmers. Chickens are raised for both meat and egg production, providing a valuable source of protein and income. Additionally, backyard poultry farming allows farmers to manage their flocks with relatively low input costs.

Based on recent research into various poultry production systems in Sri Lanka, I have gained insights into the status of small-scale poultry operations. It has become evident that family poultry plays a unique role within communities, extending beyond merely meeting protein and micronutrient needs in resource-poor settings. The significance of family poultry is deeply rooted in socio-cultural aspects.

One notable observation is the limited knowledge, attitudes, and practices among small-scale poultry farmers regarding poultry diseases, vaccination, and bio-security measures. It is concerning that many farmers have not recognized disease outbreaks as a prevalent issue. This less prevalence of disease occurrence might be attributed to the inherent disease resistance demonstrated by indigenous chicken breeds, as indicated by some researchers. However, this positive aspect has been viewed negatively by the commercial poultry industry, which perceives small-scale poultry operations as potential disease reservoirs.

Before the recent economic crisis, Sri Lanka enjoyed a demand-sufficient status in both egg and chicken meat production, with large private sector companies dominating the market. Unfortunately, small-scale poultry operations have been largely overlooked, given their relatively low contribution to national production. Despite this, there is a substantial demand for eggs and meat from village chickens produced by small-scale farmers. Consumers are willing to pay a premium, often double the price of broiler meat, demonstrating the market potential for these products.

It is essential to recognize the untapped potential of family poultry in Sri Lanka as well as in other low and middle income (LMIC) countries and address the existing gaps in knowledge and practices among small-scale farmers. Developing a guidance tool is a timely requirement to facilitate the promotion of small-scale livestock productivity.  This tool can serve as a valuable resource to enhance the productivity and sustainability of small-scale poultry operations, meeting both consumer demands and contributing to the overall economic development of the poultry sector in Sri Lanka.

Ruwani Kalupahana (PhD)

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Pharmacology

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

University of Peradeniya

Sri Lanka

Esteemed Secretariat,

We hope this email finds you well and safe.

We have the honor of contacting you concerning the consultation exercise, promoted by the FAO Subcommittee on Livestock, towards the potential elaboration of a document entitled “Voluntary Guidance Tools for the sustainable enhancement of small-scale livestock productivity – Need, scope, Nature, and Development Process”.

In this sense, we would like to share some preliminary comments and suggestions regarding the overall structure of the process and scope of the document:

a.- Process and representability:

Argentina highly values the consultation scheme developed with various stakeholders since it provided robust inputs for identifying the needs and concerns of producers in different regions. Hence, we understand that collaboration with civil society, the private sector, academia, and scientific institutions, among others, is indispensable. However, since this voluntary document is aimed to offer guidance to Member States that are seeking to augment their capability in terms of small-scale animal farming production, it is critical to collect and reflect national views, suggestions, and priorities as core ideas for designing the 0 draft of this document. Additionally, Argentina understands that Member States must be the exclusive actors in the future negotiation of this document.

b.- Scope and content:

-Argentina appreciates the intention to address the particularities of the small-scale livestock subsector given its importance in terms of food production and food security locally, regionally, and globally. In parallel, due to the lack of a multilaterally agreed definition concerning the elements encompassed by this concept, we would like to comprehend the criteria that will be utilized to determine the limits of the voluntary document. For instance, it would be valuable to understand the rationale behind the foreseen parameter to identify farmers and pastoralists who have “limited resources endowments” to avoid artificial discrimination among animal farmers.

-In terms of approaches to enhance animal protein production, Argentina also believes that themes related to technology transfer (SDG 17.7), capacity building, and access to financial tools, including investments, should be the bedrock for the identification of the objectives of this document.

-Regarding market impacts, small-scale livestock systems contribute to sourcing safe food to local, regional, and global consumers. In essence, Argentina recognizes that this document should not follow a restrictive approach (e.g. by focusing exclusively on local supply chains) and, instead, needs to broaden its conceptual latitude by including the benefits and positive implications of this subsector on regional and international food security.

In this vein, and based on the aforementioned inputs, Argentina would like to submit its suggestions to the consultation process led by the FAO Subcommittee on Livestock.

I remain at your disposal in case more details are needed.

Best regards,

Guillermo Spika

Alternate Permanent Representative

Representation of the Argentine Republic to FAO/IFAD/WFP

Des de Catalunya nos parece muy buena idea hacer un proceso de consulta sobre la mejora sostenible de la productividad de la ganadería a pequeña escala, en este sentido en Catalunya hemos estado trabajando en un procedimiento de la producción agrària sostenible de manera que las explotacions tanto agrícoles como ganaderas puedan calcular su perfil de sostenibilidad y de manera voluntària puedan certificarse. Hemos contemplado todas las explotacions ya sean pequñas com grandes y mediante las tres vertientes (ambiental, econòmica y social). Además estamos elaborando una llei de la producción agraria sostenible . 

En cuanto a los objetivos presentados en la consulta, nos parecen adecuados. Sobretodo el objetivo de “Identificar acciones y prácticas que los productores pecuarios en pequeña escala y los actores de la cadena de valor afines podrían aplicar o promover.” Nos parece muy interesante este punto, ya que es complicado establecer dichas acciones debido a la complejidad del sector ganadero, puesto que presenta muchas variabilidades en función de la especie y tipo de explotación (intensiva, semi-extensiva, extensiva). 

En cuanto a la naturaleza y alcance del instrumento, creemos que es buena idea empezar a pequeña escala en países de ingresos bajos y medios. Sin embargo, creemos importante poder en un futuro traspasar los métodos y resultados obtenidos de este proceso a una escala mayor y a países desarrollados donde también la ganadería local tiene un peso importante en la economía.

Finalmente, creemos que iniciativas como ésta son muy importantes para la mejora de la productividad ganadera a pequeña escala, de manera social, económica y ambientalmente sostenible y que podrá generar beneficios directos para muchas personas y para el cambio climático y la degradación del medio ambiente.

Reciban un cordial saludo,

Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural.

Generalitat de Catalunya (Goverment of Catalonia)

Cet outil est la bienvenue pour la durabilité des activités d'élevage et l'amélioration de la productivité. 

A- Au niveau des objectifs, je suggère qu'on ajoute :

- Prévenir les pandémies : 

Je voudrais attirer l'attention sur la santé de l'éleveur en lien avec la santé de ses animaux et de son environnement. Cet outil peut permettre d'aborder de façon profonde et holistique la question de la santé des éleveurs, de la santé des autres acteurs d'élevage, celle des personnes visant dans leurs environnements immédiats, puis de la santé de la population en général. 

Il s'agit d'une préoccupation dont le suivi est le plus souvent réalisé par les spécialistes de la santé publique et qui révèle de plus en plus une implication non encore maîtrisée de la santé animale. 

Le cas des dommages sanitaires causés par les ectoparasites vétérinaires est un exemple parmi tant d'autres. 

B- En ce qui concerne l'élaboration de l'outil il est important d'impliquer aussi les acteurs de la santé publique et les spécialistes du management de l'environnement afin de cerner efficacement tous les contours du sujet. 

Certainly! Here are paraphrased versions of the given topics, along with three additional topics related to sustainability, climate change, and antibiotics residuals in meat and milk:

1. **Development and Production of Feed Additives for Sustainable Animal Protein:**

   - Focusing on the creation and manufacturing of feed additives such as vitamins, carotenoids, trace elements, enzymes, and organic acids to enhance sustainable animal protein production.

2. **Innovative Customer-Centric Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture:**

   - Implementing customer-focused strategies like training, knowledge transfer, and cutting-edge digital support to promote efficient and sustainable production of animal protein.

3. **Reducing Methane Emissions through Enhanced Feeds:**

   - Minimizing environmental impact by utilizing improved feeds, such as seaweed-infused cattle feed, to decrease methane production during the digestion process.

4. **Mitigating Antibiotic Residuals in Livestock Products:**

   - Addressing concerns surrounding antibiotics residuals in meat and milk through advanced practices and technologies for safer and more sustainable livestock farming.

5. **Climate-Resilient Agriculture Practices:**

   - Exploring and promoting agricultural methods that are resilient to climate change, ensuring long-term sustainability and productivity.

6. **Circular Economy Approaches in Livestock Farming:**

   - Implementing circular economy principles to minimize waste, optimize resource use, and enhance the overall sustainability of livestock production.

7. **Renewable Energy Integration in Animal Farming:**

   - Investigating the integration of renewable energy sources to power animal farming operations, contributing to both environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.