FAO, IFAD Spearhead Regional Dialogue on Family Farming in Asia and the Pacific

FAO, IFAD Spearhead Regional Dialogue on Family Farming in Asia and the Pacific

On 29 June 2022, FAO and IFAD, in their capacity of joint secretariat of the UN Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) have organized a virtual Regional Dialogue on Family Farming in Asia and the Pacific: Leveraging the role of family farming towards more inclusive and resilient food systems in response to crises. This was supported by an informal preparatory group representing Family Farmers’ Organizations and regional rural development NGOs: the Asia Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), La Via Campesina, the Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON) and the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA).

It was attended by over 180 participants from 30 countries. Most participants came from the Asia Pacific Region (from Pakistan to Cook Islands, including Mongolia, Japan, Fiji), representing a very large part of the Family Farmers Organizations (FFOs) of the region and with the participation of senior officials from Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Timor Leste and SAARC Agriculture Center. Some participants came also from Africa and Europe, representing large Family Farming Organizations and Networks. Overall, nearly 60% of the participants were from Family Farming Organizations or CSOs supporting Family Farming, and about 15% from governments or national research institutions and academia.

Simultaneous translation in Bahasa, Bengali, Chinese, Khmer and Nepali was provided in order to enable meaningful participation of representatives of family farming organizations and local CSOs. The dialogue was very rich and offered a good overview of some of the important initiatives that have been implemented in the region over the past 3 years, with often Family Farmers and their organizations at the core of the process.

The first session of the event on ‘Stocktaking of 3 years of UNDFF in Asia Pacific’, showcased excellent examples on how to progress with the development of National Action Plans, while the technical sessions on “Contribution of Family Farmers Organization to sustainable and climate resilient food systems”, on “Fostering the inclusion of rural youth” and on “ Building the capacities of Family Farmers Organization and ensuring effective participation through appropriate financing and implementation modalities” highlighted important and viable initiatives by family farmers and their organizations contributing to sustainable agro-food systems.

The event also reminded us that the current context is more challenging than ever for family farmers, calling for different and holistic approaches to sustainably transform our agri-food systems. As mentioned by Marcela Villarreal, Director of the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division at FAO HQ, “the multiple crises the world is currently facing offer the occasion for a joint and sincere reflection aimed at finding the most appropriate solutions to strengthen and re-build resilience, based on sustainability and inclusivity and to leverage local producers to offer solutions in complex and challenging times”.

The main outcomes of the discussion will be systematized and reported in the framework of the Global Forum of the UN Decade of Family Farming, organized by FAO and IFAD on 19-22 September 2022, as part of the technical discussions linked to the seven Pillars of work of the UNDFF Global Action Plan.

Watch it here:

Session 1. Opening
Moderator: Mr. Pierre Ferrand, FAO RAP

Opening Remarks: Ms. Marcela Villarreal, Director, Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO

Welcoming remarks:

  • Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO RAP Regional Program Leader (5’) 
  • Mr. Hubert Boirard, Country Director, Asia & Pacific Division and Grant Manager of FO4A/APFP/ARISE, IFAD (5’) 
  • Dr. Ir. Andriko Notosusanto, Indonesian National Food Agency (NFA), Representative from Indonesian Government acting as ISC member (5’)
  • Mr. Zainal Arifin Fuad, ISC Member on behalf of Farmers Organizations (‘5)

Session 2 – Stock taking of 3 years of UNDFF in Asia Pacific and moving forward
Moderator: Mr. Pierre Ferrand, FAO RAP

The UNDFF:  An updated assessment of the results of the first 3 years:

  • UNDFF Secretariat, Mr Guilherme Brady, Chief of Unit, Family Farming Engagement and Parliamentary Networks, FAO HQ

The UNDFF in the Region: Development of Regional/National Action Plans on Family Farming and implementation

Focus on Rural Communication Services

Session 3 – Technical discussion: Contribution of Family Farmers Organization to sustainable and climate resilient food systems – (Pillar 6)
Moderator: Mr. Daniel Ruiz De Garibay, FAO RAP

 

Role of Small-scale fishers in adapting to Climate Change

Role of FFOs’ in adapting to Climate Change

Session 4 – Technical discussion: Fostering the inclusion of rural youth (Support youth and ensure the generational sustainability of family farming / Pillar 2) –
Moderator: Ms. Anna Korzenszky, FAO HQ

 

Policy and Capacity Building: Experiences from FFOs

  • Policy level :
    • Mr. Melissa Alamo, Advocacy officer, PAKISAMA (National Farmers’ Federation), Philippines

 

Increasing Employability: Experiences from FFOs

Session 5 – Technical discussion: Building the capacities of Family Farmers Organization and ensuring effective participation through appropriate financing and implementation modalities (Pillar 4)
Moderator:  Mr. Alok Kumar, Value Chain and Finance Specialist, IFAD

 

Experiences from FFOs in the Pacific Region

Experiences from FFOs in Asia Region

Experiences from a National FO

 

Session 6 - Key findings and the way forward to the Global Forum -
Moderator: Mr. Guilherme Brady, FAO HQ

Recommendations from the consultation processes

Open forum to highlight key recommendations for scaling up the implementation of the UNDFF in the region

  • UNDFF Secretariat / Guilherme Brady, FAO HQ
    • Which areas and mechanisms should be strengthened to leverage on the UNDFF to enhance family farmers’ contributions to sustainable agri-food systems in the region?

Closing remarks

    • Mr. Hubert Boirard, Country Director, Asia & Pacific Division and Grant Manager of FO4A/APFP/ARISE, IFAD
    • Mr. Pierre Ferrand, FAO RAP, UNDFF regional focal point
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