FAO.org

AGENDA ITEM 2.11

ENABLING SMALLHOLDERS AND FAMILY FARMERS

TO ACCESS APPROPRIATE INNOVATION, INFORMATION, AND ADVISORY SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS

Thank you, Madam Chairperson,

China has the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group of 77 and China appreciates the work of FAO to provide preliminary assessment on how to enable smallholders and family farmers to access appropriate innovation, information, and advisory services for sustainable agrifood system.

We underline the importance of the critical role of smallholders and family farmers in attaining sustainable food systems globally. Furthermore, smallholders and family farmers are key in achieving the Agenda 2030, particularly SDGs 1 and 2, and in the implementation of UN Decade of Family Farming.

Therefore, we urge all stakeholders to take action in tackling the challenges, such as lack of access to appropriate agricultural innovation, information, and advisory services, faced by 570 million small holders’ family farmers who suffer from food insecurity and vulnerable to sustain their livelihoods as global challenges arises. Our support towards them is essential for sustainable food systems transformation.

At this juncture, it is utmost important to provide comprehensive support and access to smallholders and family farmers, including to reform their information, innovation, and extension and advisory service (EAS) systems.

In this regard, we urge FAO to:

(i) facilitate linkages between farmers and other stakeholders including agribusinesses, micro-credit organization, education, and research institutes;

(ii) facilitate innovation processes as well as support with timely and accurate information on markets, price, climate, weather, and prices that are closely related to food systems and agriculture;

(iii) develop capacities of smallholders and family farmers to access and use the new technologies and innovation, including the digital tools;

(iv) enhance smallholders and family farmers participation in the co-creation of innovative practices and information systems; and

(v) provide platforms and neutral space to document, discuss, and promote good practices and innovations for sustainable food systems transformation.

 I thank you.