In these difficult times of so much crisis we must put to work the small farms and that they will help to solve in some way the situation of hunger in some families.
Today we are going to talk about agriculture. When it comes to feeding the world, family farming tends to suffer from a bad image.
Family farming is characterized by the deep connection between a farm and a family. However, behind this general term, there is a diversity of realities. While some family farms can be quite large, 84% of them still have an area of less than two hectares. This type of agriculture often suffers from a negative image in the eyes of policymakers and donors. It is particularly associated with the idea of archaism and low economic efficiency.
This is the reason why in recent years the choice has been made to favor large industrial farms to try to feed the world population?
Some States feel that it would be simpler and faster to industrialize agricultural production. They see this strategy as a response to the lack of financial resources needed to modernize family farms in developing countries. This is how small farms have been largely forgotten in the last thirty years. Agricultural investments have been more oriented towards favoring large agro-industrial sectors for export, to the detriment of the development of local markets and the necessary infrastructure for the development and consolidation of family farming.
However, the results do not necessarily appear in the appointment?
In fact, the record is far from perfect. Industrial agriculture is a big user of chemicals and water. Therefore, it raises a real concern for the respect of the environment. Nor has it been able to solve the problem of hunger because it neglects small local producers when it does not weaken them. In fact, FAO, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, recalls that one of the keys to food security and sustainable rural development lies in family farms.
That's why 2014 declared the International Year of Family Farming?
Yes. Its objective was to raise awareness about the importance of family farming in the fight against hunger. It is still the first form of agriculture in the world with almost 9 out of 10 farms run by families. Family farming today employs around 40% of the world's assets and provides humanity with almost 80% of its food.
However, this does not prevent small farmers from being the first affected by hunger.
It is true. That is the paradox. Of the 795 million people still suffering from hunger in the world, 70% are small food producers. Their difficulties are essentially linked to the lack of public policies that concern them, and sometimes to policies that are unfavorable. Therefore, better consideration and support for family farming is essential to ensure food security.