The 2014
International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) aims to raise the
profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention
on its significant role in alleviating hunger and poverty, providing food
security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources,
protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in
particular in rural areas.
The goal of the 2014 IYFF is to reposition family
farming at the centre of agricultural, environmental and social policies in the
national agendas by identifying gaps and opportunities to promote a shift
towards a more equal and balanced development. The 2014 IYFF will promote
broad discussion and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels to
increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by smallholders
and help identify efficient ways to support family farmers.
At the 66th session of the General Assembly
of the United Nations, 2014 was formally declared to be the “International Year of Family Farming” (IYFF).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was invited
to facilitate its implementation, in collaboration with Governments,
International Development Agencies, farmers' organizations and other relevant
organizations of the United Nations system as well as relevant non-governmental
organizations.
WHAT IS FAMILY FARMING?
Family farming includes all family-based
agricultural activities, and it is linked to several areas of the rural
development. Family farming is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry,
fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by
a family and predominantly reliant on family labour, including both women’s and
men’s.
Both in developing and developed countries,
family farming is the predominant form of agriculture in the food production
sector.
At national level, there are a number of factors
that are key for a successful development of family farming, such as:
agro-ecological conditions and territorial characteristics; policy environment;
access to markets; access to land and natural resources; access to technology
and extension services; access to finance; demographic, economic and
socio-cultural conditions; availability of specialized education among others.
Family farming has an important socio-economic,
environmental and cultural role.
WHY IS FAMILY FARMING
IMPORTANT?
- Family and
small-scale farming are inextricably linked to world food security.
- Family farming
preserves traditional food products, while contributing to a balanced diet
and safeguarding the world’s agro-biodiversity and the sustainable use of
natural resources.
- Family farming
represents an opportunity to boost local economies, especially when
combined with specific policies aimed at social protection and well-being
of communities.
FOUR KEY OBJECTIVES OF
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR
- Support the
development of agricultural, environmental and social policies conducive
to sustainable family farming
- Increase knowledge,
communication and public awareness
- Attain better
understanding of family farming needs, potential and constraints and
ensure technical support
- Create synergies for
sustainability
THREE GLOBAL LINES OF
ACTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR
The IYFF will focus on three global lines of
action that will be implemented in the context of the national processes and
agreements, in collaboration with relevant partners.
- Promotion of
dialogue in policy decision-making processes
- Identification,
documentation and sharing lessons learned and successful experiences of
existing pro-family farming policies at national and/or other levels to
capitalize relevant knowledge on family farming
- Communication,
advocacy and outreach