The crucial role of smallholder farmers in food security and poverty elimination in a changing climate

Outline / Plan

1. The Agrarian Crisis

2. The unique and crucial role of SHFs

3. The relevance and potential of agro-ecology

4. The need for re-orientation of climate and development policy

5. Examples

1. The Agrarian Crisis

• 9 billion people by 2050

• Climate change is impacting on food production

• The majority of people are fed with food provided locally by smallholder farmers, of which at least half are women

• Many women are farming by default – for survival

2. The potential of Smallholder Farmers, Herders & Fishers

Unique knowledge and relationship with the land and natural resources -> adaptation

It is not easy to work with the poor and small-scale … BUT …

this should not mean further marginalization

Existing systems are loaded against smallholders

System change is needed so smallholders become a central part of the global food system- the Climate Change agreement – a step in doing that

3. Agro-ecology

A science, set of principles and movement

A powerful tool for adapting production systems to changes in the climate

A means of sustainably optimising the potential of the local environment

4. Re-orientation of climate and development policy

To deliver a robust climate agreement in 2015 smallholder farmers, herders and fishers must be part of the global food system. To achieve that we need:

1. Public funding and incentives for research into agro-ecological farming

2. Investment that strengthens the agro-ecological knowledge and capacity of smallholder farmers

3. Change in the enabling (market) environment so that it penalises unsustainable practices

Thank youChris.Henderson@practicalaction.org.ukTwitter: @Chris_P_Hen

For more information on Practical Action policy positions

at COP 20 check:

practicalaction.org/cop-20-un-climate-change-conference-2014

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