Deep Roots

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Fifth, the adverse effect of climate change on agriculture

and food security has been widely reported in various parts

of the world. Small family farms are generally ill-equipped

with knowledge and financial as well as human resources to

meet the challenges of climate change. Therefore, it may be

necessary to offer incentives to small family farms for safe-

guarding ecosystem services such as watershed protection,

carbon sequestration and the protection of biodiversity for

sustainable agricultural production and food security.

Sixth, access to off-farm and non-farm rural employment

opportunities is crucial for the sustainable food security and

poverty alleviation of small family farms. Given the present

agricultural terms of trade and productivity levels, farming

alone may not suffice to take them out of the poverty trap.

At least one farm youth in each family should be trained and

supported to take up not only high-value agriculture, but also

better paying employment outside agriculture. If off-farm and

non-farm enterprises are developed in the rural areas, the

benefits could easily accrue to small family farms.

Seventh, agricultural production in developing countries

is associated with various types of risks, the important

ones being variability in crop yields and incomes, due

to the erratic behaviour of weather and prices. In most

Asia-Pacific countries, the existing agricultural insurance

schemes suffer from several inadequacies and weaknesses.

These schemes should be redesigned and improved to make

them small-farmer friendly.

To conclude, there are numerous challenges and oppor-

tunities for small family farms to improve their incomes and

food security situation in developing Asia-Pacific countries.

Many of the challenges can be converted into opportuni-

ties, if there are appropriate policies to support small family

farms in an integrated manner. These include policies to:

• increase crop and livestock yields through

technological and market interventions

• improve market orientation and market access

for small farmers

• provide education and skills to farm youth for high-

tech and high-value agriculture

• organize small family farms into groups such as

producer companies and autonomous cooperatives

• improve small farmers’ access to credit

• ensure tenurial security for tenant farmers

• provide secure and effective land rights to women

• increase public and private investment in rural

infrastructure

• promote diversified rural growth through appropriate

infrastructure, technology, institution and policy support.

Small family farms in Asia-Pacific countries can help

improve agricultural productivity and food security in a

sustainable manner, provided there is an integrated policy

support to make them economically viable and ecologically

more responsible.

Women beneficiaries of micro plot distribution and land reform in West Bengal grow vegetables, ensuring food security and improving their status

Image: Landesa-India

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