By KVS Prasad
Responding to an invitation from the World Rural Forum, last week I was in New Delhi, attended the meeting organised as part of the campaign for International Year of Family Farming. I was there representing ILEIA and the AgriCultures network, and although I was "only" one of the participants, I ended aup as facilitator of the workshop. This was first of the series of events planned in different continents. The objective of the meetings was to look at the necessary co-ordinated efforts to support the campaign within each region and individual countries. We discussed the purpose, potential activities and consequences of such a campaign with CIFA – Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (the host organization and the representative of the Indian Family Farming); AFA -Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development, a regional alliance of 9 farmer federations in 8 Asian countries; AsiaDHRRA -Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia -a regional partnership of 11 social development networks and organizations in 10 Asian nations; and the World Rural Forum secretariat, the organisation behind the worldwide IYFF Campaign.
The meeting started with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Jose and Miren, representing the World Rural Forum, shared the purpose of the workshop; How family farming can be strengthened through the campaign? What efforts need to be done in order to get the UN declaring a year as "year of family farming"? The participants representing different parts of the globe presented a great sight – participants from South Asia, South East Asia, Africa and Europe, numbering 30 in total, all shared their ideas and insights. Interestingly, the audience also included senior representatives from IFAD and FAO. The representatives of the Indian Governmen included an Advisor, Planning commission, and the Head of the mainstream research system (ICAR) in India. The advisor said many "right things" in favor of family farming.
Jose Osaba traced the genesis and the relevance of campaigning for getting an official declaration by the UN. He also shared the steps involved in such a process – at least representations from 50 – 60 countries saying - YES, we support this campaign. Right now, 5 national governments have extended support. This means that a lot still needs to be done, and done quickly. This requires pursuing several countries at the national level to support the idea at the UN General Assembly. If this is successful, the UN may take 2-3 years to officially declare the International Year of Family Farming, and then seek help of agencies like FAO and IFAD to propose potential programmes and events. The expectation is that once the year of family farming is declared, family farming will be even higher on the "international agenda", and the year long programmes and events will lead to more favorable policies as well as actions for strengthening family farming.
As member of the Agricultures network, my task was to present in 10 minutes what we have been doing in promoting and strengthening the concept. What I did was: (a) presented the different magazines we are bringing out as a network – regional editions, and local translations in India, (b) highlighted that the organizations publishing these magazines are also helping small holders/ family farming in operationaslising agriculture based on agro ecological principles in diverse contexts. Also, I quickly mentioned my views on what are the present "gaps" and limiting factors like – perspectives, different agendas, research and curriculum’s "disconnected" with field realities, and the total neglect of this "constituency". Also, the pursuit of "quick fix solutions" rather than "long term solutions" was highlighted. Another point of view, strongly presented, was the need to conceive "long term programmes" rather than events alone during the year, when declared as year of family farming. Later, I facilitated the group work with regard to road maps as well as action plan for the next year, and shared the synthesis on each day of the workshop.
Overall, it was a great learning event for me personally to know about the various contexts and the convergence of ideas and strategies across different contexts towards support to family farming and small holder agriculture.
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