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International Federation of
Agricultural Producers
________________________________________________________________________
IPM
February 23, 2009, New York
MULTISTAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE
Intervention from the Farmers? Group by
Mr. Ajay Vashee, IFAP President
My name is Ajay Vashee. I am a dairy and crops farmer from Zambia, and
President of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).
This policy year of CSD 17 is critical for the Farmers Major Group because it
places the focus on agriculture as one of the thematic areas.
In the present difficult context, agriculture is faced with multifaceted challenges,
including doubling world food production by 2050 in order to meet the needs of
a growing population. At the same time, this doubling of food production must
be done using essentially the same land area, using less water, producing less
greenhouse gases, contributing to renewable energy production and conserving
biodiversity. It is a big challenge, but it can be done if public policy makers
worldwide accept to re-engage with farmers and other stakeholders to build a
new agricultural model which would be ?people-centred and knowledge based?.
This shift in thinking is critical should we aim at harnessing the full potential of
agriculture to reduce poverty and hunger and revitalise rural areas.
In order to achieve this objective, action is required in five areas:
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1- First, there is a need to recognise agriculture as an engine for economic
growth, rural development and thus poverty reduction.
2- Second, conducive policy frameworks and a proper allocation of
budgetary resources are necessary to attract investments into agriculture.
These investments must not only target the top end of the farming sector.
They should also support efforts to transform small-holder farmers into
entrepreneurs through building effective and inclusive commodity supply
chains; modernising agriculture through innovation, knowledge sharing and
access to technology; developing farmer-centred research programs, and
rewarding farmers for ecosystem services.
3- Third, any successful rural development strategy needs an integrated
approach, taking into account all assets: natural, social, physical, human and
financial capital. In particular, basic rural infrastructure is critical, and
women farmers must be recognised as a driving force in any rural
development strategy.
4- Fourth, land is the farmer?s basic asset. Rural strategies need to develop
secure land tenure arrangements, especially for women farmers. Wellfunctioning
land markets also need to be created. Once farmers have secure
access to land, it is important that they have access to the fullest knowledge
and modern tools to ensure that the land is managed sustainability, since this
underpins long term productivity.
5- Fifth, efforts to combat desertification should be an integral part of
development policies and national strategies. In order to attract investments
into agriculture in dry lands and degraded areas, it is necessary to turn dry
lands into economic assets. Development of effective risk management tools
is critical for farmers if they are to take the risks required to innovate in their
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production decisions in the face of the hazards of: weather changes, disease
outbreaks, market risks and risks related to loan repayments.
Farmers are willing to work with governments and other stakeholders in order to
implement this ?people centred and knowledge based? agricultural model. We
hope that governments will not miss this opportunity to re-engage with Major
Groups in a long- term and sustainable manner to reduce poverty and hunger
and create much needed economic impetus. Including agriculture and rural
development in the fiscal stimulus packages that governments are using to fight
global recession would be a good place to begin.
I thank you for your attention.
