The farmers role and own vision of the transformation of the food system

1. Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development

2. AFA History:
Farmers
Exchange Visits
by AsiaDHRRA
1999-2002

4. AFA FARMERS’ /PEASANTS’ AGENDA
Sustainable,
Resilient
Agri
Cooperative
Devt and
Strengthening
Youth in
Agri
Women
Empower
ment
Rights to
Natural
Resources
*Movement Building *Advocacy *Capacity Building
*Business Development Servicing*Internal Governance *MEAL
MULTI STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHPS
Internal
Governa
nce

5. “Farmers innovations and indigenous
traditional knowledge are the basis of
agriculture system, it they are lost,
everything will be gone. The traditional
knowledges are also reflected in artworks,
festivals associated with diversity in food
systems. There is a need to think that way
and perspective towards agriculture.”

6. Food Systems
Production Processing
Distribution and
marketing
Consumption
Inclusive agriculture value chains
Strong farmers’ and fishers’ organizations, cooperatives and platforms
 Food security and
nutrition of rural and
urban communities
 Healthy diets
 Improve well-being of farmers
and fishers
 Increased farmers’ income
 Water and soil health
 Agrobiodiversity conservation
Women and Young Farmers’ Empowerment
Capacity building (training, study tours, learning exchange, farmer-led
research)
Policy advocacy and campaigns
Agroecology and organic production systems
Sustainable fishing initiatives
Climate change adaptation strategies
Farmers’ and fishers’
solutions toward
sustainable, resilient,
and healthy food
systems

7. The OBSTACLES WE FACE
• The agriculture sector faces multisectoral challenges
• Pandemic exacerbated the plight of the farmers and fishers
• Farmer and fisherfolk belong to the vulnerable groups but they are also
the main actor in achieving food security
• Lack of policy coherence, implementation coordination
• Lack of stakeholder participation – esp the poor and marginalized
• Lack of political will
• Power imbalances
• Inadequate Financing

8. • Investments in family farming agriculture and in sustainable
agriculture and rural development is a key imperative
• Key investments are needed in building and empowering the
organizations of family farmers at all levels.
• Recognition of farmers and their FOs as effective agents of social,
political, cultural and economic change for development.
- FOs as consolidators of wealth ( material and non material)
-FOs as extensionists, service providers to FF
-FOs as the voice of FF
What needs to be done

9. Farmers /FOs as Stewards of
ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE
1. FFO are GAME CHANGER – FFO has the reach/network (from local to global) to facilitate
the upscaling of many game changing solution developed by family farmers. For small-
scale agriculture, FFO enable smallholder farmer to strategically engage and take
leadership role in sustainable and inclusive value chain. FFO become more relevant as
FFO move to higher level of the value-chain as well as in policy making beyond the
boundaries of their communities.
2. FFO are ACCELERATOR of SDG – through FFO’s improved economic services to its
members and strong advocacy to address market failures, family farmers have good
fighting chance to break free from poverty
3. FFO are PROPELLER of Climate Resilient Agriculture - with strong FFOs facilitating the
transfer and upscaling of agroecological farming, production of safe and healthy food is
guaranteed while promoting climate resiliency.

10. The Case of Small Fisherfolks Association of Concepcion
After they were organized they were able to tap government
and non-government support. With this they have initiated
programs - coastal rehabilitation, solid waste management,
community coastal patrolling and livelihood diversification of
their members.
Strong farmers organizations and
cooperatives are enablers

11. Farmers /FOs as Stewards of
ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE
1. FFO are GAME CHANGER – FFO has the reach/network (from local to global) to facilitate
the upscaling of many game changing solution developed by family farmers. For small-
scale agriculture, FFO enable smallholder farmer to strategically engage and take
leadership role in sustainable and inclusive value chain. FFO become more relevant as
FFO move to higher level of the value-chain as well as in policy making beyond the
boundaries of their communities.
2. FFO are ACCELERATOR of SDG – through FFO’s improved economic services to its
members and strong advocacy to address market failures, family farmers have good
fighting chance to break free from poverty
3. FFO are PROPELLER of Climate Resilient Agriculture - with strong FFOs facilitating the
transfer and upscaling of agroecological farming, production of safe and healthy food is
guaranteed while promoting climate resiliency.

12. Family farmers are not just food producers
but are knowledge producers and solution
providers;
and our organizations are our platforms for
collective actions to improve our families’
well-being, enhance our overall capacity,
contribute to local economy and sustainable
rural development, participate in decision-
making processes and contribute to
transforming food systems.

13. Thank you