Major Group: Business & Industry
Madam Chairperson, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Business and Industry
welcomes this opportunity to take part in these important discussions to advance
implementation of sustainable agriculture and development.
It is imperative to tackle the challenges of sustainable development - here in this policy
session - and afterward. For years we have seen a persistent decline in the resources
flowing to agriculture, dropping from 18% of development assistance down to 3%, over
the past two decades. At the same time, the private sector has picked up a growing
proportion of research expenditures, invested in programmes, provided training and
education, and helped with outreach. Business has maintained and furthered our
commitment to agriculture and we invite our counterparts in government to make
equivalent commitments.
To cite just two examples of relevance to this CSD:
In the area of integrated crop management, the plant science industry is heavily involved
in providing access to training and conducts annual programs to reach farmers around
the globe. In 2007, CropLife Madagascar partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to
broadcast a series of training programs on radio on responsible and effective use of crop
protection products, reaching 2 million farmers and agricultural workers. Globally, over
350,000 stakeholders are directly trained each year.
In the area of infrastructure, fertilizer companies and other partners have joined together
to help the building of ports, railroads, and storage facilities along geographically
determined lines that tie in stakeholders along the value chain and help bring farmers?
products to local, regional and global markets. Development corridors are being created
in Mozambique for instance, and could be expanded regionally.
It will take many resources and many partners to make a difference in the complex
issues of the six themes in this CSD. We believe the text should recognise the
importance of public-private partnerships.
Multi-stakeholder efforts are important, and an excellent example is Farming First. Its
focus includes enabling millions of farm families, especially smallholders, to grow more
crops sustainably through effective markets, more collaborative research and committed
knowledge sharing.
As well, food and agricultural commodities chains are increasingly global and comprised
of many different stages and players, including farmers, manufacturers, suppliers,
transport, retailers, consumers and waste managers, all of whom generate different
environmental impacts. Sustainability in food and renewable commodities chains
therefore requires shared responsibility and engagement among all those involved along
their life-cycles.
As stakeholders, we all have an important role to play in developing, promoting and
achieving sustainable agriculture and development in the context of other challenges,
such as climate change, water scarcity and attaining the Millennium Development Goals.
It is possible to achieve these goals as long as policies and programs support
innovation, foster initiatives that build skills, and include a mosaic of solutions through
joint efforts and partnerships.
We hope, Madame Chair, the deliberations this week do result in an agreed text that
reflects the importance of the themes before CSD-17.
welcomes this opportunity to take part in these important discussions to advance
implementation of sustainable agriculture and development.
It is imperative to tackle the challenges of sustainable development - here in this policy
session - and afterward. For years we have seen a persistent decline in the resources
flowing to agriculture, dropping from 18% of development assistance down to 3%, over
the past two decades. At the same time, the private sector has picked up a growing
proportion of research expenditures, invested in programmes, provided training and
education, and helped with outreach. Business has maintained and furthered our
commitment to agriculture and we invite our counterparts in government to make
equivalent commitments.
To cite just two examples of relevance to this CSD:
In the area of integrated crop management, the plant science industry is heavily involved
in providing access to training and conducts annual programs to reach farmers around
the globe. In 2007, CropLife Madagascar partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to
broadcast a series of training programs on radio on responsible and effective use of crop
protection products, reaching 2 million farmers and agricultural workers. Globally, over
350,000 stakeholders are directly trained each year.
In the area of infrastructure, fertilizer companies and other partners have joined together
to help the building of ports, railroads, and storage facilities along geographically
determined lines that tie in stakeholders along the value chain and help bring farmers?
products to local, regional and global markets. Development corridors are being created
in Mozambique for instance, and could be expanded regionally.
It will take many resources and many partners to make a difference in the complex
issues of the six themes in this CSD. We believe the text should recognise the
importance of public-private partnerships.
Multi-stakeholder efforts are important, and an excellent example is Farming First. Its
focus includes enabling millions of farm families, especially smallholders, to grow more
crops sustainably through effective markets, more collaborative research and committed
knowledge sharing.
As well, food and agricultural commodities chains are increasingly global and comprised
of many different stages and players, including farmers, manufacturers, suppliers,
transport, retailers, consumers and waste managers, all of whom generate different
environmental impacts. Sustainability in food and renewable commodities chains
therefore requires shared responsibility and engagement among all those involved along
their life-cycles.
As stakeholders, we all have an important role to play in developing, promoting and
achieving sustainable agriculture and development in the context of other challenges,
such as climate change, water scarcity and attaining the Millennium Development Goals.
It is possible to achieve these goals as long as policies and programs support
innovation, foster initiatives that build skills, and include a mosaic of solutions through
joint efforts and partnerships.
We hope, Madame Chair, the deliberations this week do result in an agreed text that
reflects the importance of the themes before CSD-17.