72 / 258
[
] 70
General’s message placed emphasis on the sustainability of
family farms – similarly to the Hungarian Minister – saying:
“I commend the forum’s focus on the three dimensions of
sustainability: economic, social and environmental. Family
farms harmonize all three aspects and, in the best instances,
enable the principles of sustainable stewardship of land and
fisheries to be handed down to succeeding generations.”
José Graziano da Silva also underlined that family farmers,
fisher folk, forest-dependent people, pastoralists and tradi-
tional and indigenous communities are key for food security
in most countries, but at the same time are among the world’s
most vulnerable populations. “Apart from producing a high
proportion of the food we eat, family farmers are by far the
biggest source of employment in the world,” he said, adding
that they are also the guardians of the world’s agro-biodiver-
sity and natural resources.
The appointment ceremony for FAO Special Ambassadors
on Family Farming was one of the highlights of the global
forum. The FAO Director-General appointed Esther Penunia,
Secretary-General of the Asian Farmers’ Association;
Mohammed Ould Saleck, President of the southern area of
the artisanal section of the National Federation of Fisheries of
Mauritania; and Gerd Sonnleitner, President of the European
Farmers’ Association, as IYFF Special Ambassadors for Asia
and the Pacific, Near East and Europe respectively.
The role of family farming in strengthening local and global
food security was discussed by ministers and other high-level
participants, who shared their expertise and best practices in
this field. Thematic panel discussions were dedicated to other
major aspects of family farming. The academic panel looked
at family farming in the context of the three dimensions of
sustainability – harmonizing the social, environmental and
economic aspects. The second, multi-stakeholder panel took
stock of key challenges and opportunities for agricultural
investments in family farming and dealt with the advantages
of cooperation among farmers. The third panel was dedi-
cated to a discussion about the role of women and youth in
family farming, and considered possible measures for improv-
ing their situation. The outcomes of these discussions were
presented the following day, and participants were given the
opportunity to comment and reflect on them.
At the closing plenary, high-level representatives of the
three Rome-based United Nations agencies – Ertharin
Cousin, Executive Director of the World Food Programme,
Vladimir Rakhmanin, Assistant-Director General of FAO and
Regional Representative of Europe and Central Asia, Rasit
Pertev, Secretary of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development, and Gerda Verburg, Chair of the Committee
on World Food Security – shared their thoughts about the
potential in family farming and its relevance in ensuring food
security. The Conference Summary Conclusions document of
the GFEFF has been handed over to them, and served as an
important input for other IYFF events and meetings through-
out the year.
The GFEFF identified four key messages. First, a wide range
of examples shows that a great diversity of family farms exists
across the world. Despite this diversity, however, family farms
play an important role everywhere in ensuring food security
and securing rural livelihood.
Second, family farming is a model that meets all the
requirements of sustainability. In addition to economic
viability, family farmers are the guardians of environmen-
tal sustainability. They use and manage natural resources
(primarily land and water) in a responsible way to keep their
land fertile for future generations. As a social dimension, the
family farming model provides unique employment oppor-
tunities and livelihood in rural areas. It has been confirmed
that family farmers have an essential role also in preserving
traditions and cultural heritage, which can be considered as
the fourth dimension of sustainability.
The third key message is that, acknowledging their clear
advantages, small-scale family farmers should be provided
with an enabling policy environment to be able to contribute
to local and global food security objectives.
In addition, it is essential that male and female farmers
have equal access to land and other natural resources as
well as to financing and markets. It is important for the
future that youth find their livelihoods, job opportunities
and income in the rural areas, therefore adequate policy
measures are essential.
Rich participation
Alongside the outcomes of rich discussions, the GFEFF has
proven to be successful in terms of wide participation.
More than 600 participants from 104 countries on six conti-
nents attended the event. A total of 85 countries participated
at governmental level, and high-level government officials
such as ministers, deputy ministers and state secretaries were
present from 17 countries. Ambassadors from 45 countries
attended on behalf of their governments.
In addition to governmental delegations, approximately 200
participants fromnon-governmental global, regional and national
organizations of family farmers (farmers’ organizations, coopera-
tives and producer organizations, civil society organizations and
the private sector), and representatives of research institutions,
universities (more than 100 participants) attended the event.
Participants from 104 countries and the EU discussed the potential in family
farming and its relevance in ensuring food security
Image: Csaba Pelsöczy, Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary
D
eep
R
oots