The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) once again signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last 20 January 2023. 

To date, this is the third MoU forged between FAO and AFA which formalizes their continuous collaboration in advancing family farming by promoting the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) and contributing to the achievement of its goals and objectives. 

Mr. Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, delivered his opening remarks by emphasizing the importance of forging partnerships to contribute to the achievement of a more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. 

On the other hand, Ms. Altantuya “Aggie” Tseden-ish, Chairman of AFA, emphasized the roles that family farmers play in contributing to a sustainable agriculture while facing the most pressing issues today such as climate change.

Ms. Esther Penunia, AFA Secretary General, shared that based on the MoU, FAO-AFA’s work plan for 2023-2027 is to foster the enabling environment to grant small scale producers and family farmers access to and control over productive resources in agriculture and promote agroecology and climate resiliency, inclusive value chains, and rural services by:

• Supporting family farming thru UNDFF;
• Advancing agro-ecology;
• Enhancing farmers’ voice in FAO processes;
• Promoting sustainable forestry and biodiversity; and
• Promoting appropriate digital agriculture.

The MoU was virtually signed by Mr. Kim and Ms. Tseden-ish.