International Year Of Family Farming 2014 Series : Can Family Farming Make Poverty History ??

The United Nations has declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming to support and recognize the importance of smallholder farming. By doing so, the United Nations says it will help eradicate hunger, reduce rural poverty and reach food security through sustainable production. This designated year will focus the world's attention on the importance of family farming especially in rural communities in developing countries and regions like Africa and the Caribbean

Smallholder farming according to the FAO accounts for more than 80% of agricultural production  and over 500 million family farms worldwide .  Small farmers are facing increasing challenges from threats of climate change for the Caribbean these are hurricanes and flooding ,unstable markets and lack of expertise. I believe that education ,training and innovation are the keys to make family farming more attractive to youth , more efficient in general and will improve smallholder farmers ability to diversify into new crops to enhance food security and generate higher profits.

I would advocate that governments of the ACP regions should actively make sustainable agricultural development a high priority by working to fill gaps in knowledge and capacity to strengthen existing farmers groups and institutions.This will enhance communication and give the farmers the solutions and tools they need to reduce poverty and hunger . It  begins with political will combined with a holistic,sustainable and pragmatic approach suited to the needs of the farmers and country economies. These steps are essential to the further success of family farming and ultimately reduce hunger and inequality. 

 CHECK OUT The AWESOME launch Video for the IYFF by the FAO which clearly explains why family farming is so very important for our future :

Here is another way to engage with the process of (IYFF) by joining the International Year Of Family Farming 2014 Photo Competition !!!

What are they looking for : Photos that represent the motto: Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth. Entries must visualize the strength, potential and challenges of sustainable, multifunctional family farmers worldwide, in all their diversity and contexts.

DEADLINE :MAY 1st 2014 

Website for details & Additional Info :http://extra.agriculturesnetwork.org/survey/photocompetition/

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