The family farming revolution

Every era has its challenges. And each challenge demands specific responses. In the 1960s, famine threatened South Asia. New high yielding wheat and rice varieties responding well to high levels of fertiliser application and ample water availability, significantly boosted food production. Developed under the leadership of Norman Borlaug, these helped launch the Green Revolution, credited for saving the lives of millions of people. It was the right answer to the looming food crisis that the world faced half a century ago.

Today, we are not facing famine —– but are at a crossroads. Around 842 million people remain chronically hungry because they cannot afford to eat adequately, despite the fact that the world is no longer short of food. And as we look towards 2050, we have the additional challenge of feeding a population that is eating more — and sometimes better, healthier diets — and which is expected to surpass the nine billion mark.

At the same time, farmers are facing new challenges posed by climate change. The degradation of land, water resources and other negative environmental impacts is showing us the limits of highly intensive farming systems.

The quest is now on for truly sustainable farming systems that can meet the world’s future food needs. Nothing comes closer to the sustainable food production paradigm than family farming. The United Nations has named 2014 the International Year of Family Farming.

Support to family farming need not be done in opposition to large-scale, specialised farming, which also plays an important role to ensure global food supply. But we have much to learn about sustainable practices from family farmers, a group that includes smallholders and medium-scale farmers, peasants, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, fisher folk, pastoralists, collectors and many others. Much of the world’s experience in sustainable farming systems has been gained by family-run farms. Using innovative techniques such as building terraces and adopting zero-tillage practices, family farmers have consistently succeeded in maintaining production on often marginal lands.

Family farmers also play a pivotal role in the local production, marketing and consumption circuits that are important in fighting hunger and in creating jobs, generating income, and in stimulating and diversifying local economies.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 500 million family farms. In an FAO survey, family farmers account on average for over 80 per cent of all holdings. In developed and developing countries alike, they are the main producers of food consumed locally. At the same time, over 70 per cent of the world’s food-insecure population lives in rural areas in developing countries. Many of them are subsistence producers who may not grow enough to meet their families’ needs. They have access only to limited natural resources and are vulnerable to external shocks. There is a limit to what family farmers can achieve. Governments, international organisations, civil society organisations, the private sector and research institutions have a role to play in providing this support.

Family farmers need technical assistance and policies that build on their knowledge and bolster productivity increase; appropriate technologies; quality inputs that respond to their needs and respect their culture and traditions; improved access to land and water; and, efforts to improve their participation in value chains. The 2014 International Year of Family Farming gives us a chance to revitalise this critical sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2014.

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