Parliamentary voices at the Global Family Farming Forum in Rome

At the Global Family Farming Forum, held in Rome from 15-17 October 2024, parliamentarians from diverse regions participated in discussions on the critical role of family farming in food security and sustainable development. Their contributions underscored the need for strong policy and legislative frameworks, along with cross-national cooperation to support family farming and address global food challenges.

Spain’s collaborative model for family farming

The Honourable María Elena Diego Castellanos, a Spanish senator and coordinator of the Spanish Parliamentary Alliance for the Right to Food, highlighted Spain’s focus on family farming within a European context. She noted that rural depopulation in Spain has made family farming a policy priority, with special emphasis on supporting young people and women in rural communities, involving cross-ministerial cooperation to boost the agricultural sector’s sustainability and economic viability.
Hon. Diego Castellanos emphasized the role of international collaboration in improving family farming policies globally. Spain’s partnerships with FAO and other international bodies aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and create sustainable agricultural models, making Spain a leader in supporting family farming both at home and abroad.

Institutionalizing collective action for family farmers

The Honourable Jeremy Lissouba, Secretary General of the African Food System Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN) and Member of Parliament of the Republic of Congo, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing collective action mechanisms to empower family farmers. Highlighting Kenya’s approach, where participatory governance is embedded in the constitution, Hon. Lissouba advocated for similar legal frameworks across Africa to safeguard family farmer groups, improve financial inclusion, and promote social cohesion through cooperatives.
Hon. Lissouba proposed four key interventions for parliamentarians: reviewing existing laws, securing political support for collective action, implementing model laws such as the Model Law on Cooperatives recently adopted by the Pan African Parliament, and fostering coalitions with non-state actors. These actions, he argued, are essential to creating sustainable and inclusive systems for family farming across the continent.

Legislative harmonization on the Right to Food in Latin America and the Caribbean 

The Honourable Dr Rolando González Patricio, President of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), discussed how Parlatino has advanced the Right to Food (RtF) agenda through parliamentary alliances. Since 2008, Parlatino’s collaboration with FAO has resulted in over 100 laws supporting RtF and family farming across Latin America and the Caribbean. While legislative frameworks are crucial, he stressed the importance of monitoring and budgeting to ensure these laws have practical impact. Parlatino’s approach highlights the need for legislative harmonization to address shared challenges and foster a unified response to family farming issues across Latin America and the Caribbean. Parliamentary alliances, he argued, are vital to making legislative reforms effective.

A unified call to support the role of family farming in food security and agrifood systems transformation

Parliamentarians at the Global Family Farming Forum underscored a common commitment to strengthen family farming through comprehensive policies and cooperation. The participation of leaders, including Hon. Diego Castellanos, Hon. Lissouba and Hon. González Patricio, demonstrated how parliaments can work together to build resilient food systems and champion the cause of family farmers worldwide.