Major Group: Indigenous Peoples
1
Indigenous Peoplesf statement for the major group intervention session,
Agriculture Monday 24th February 2009
IPM Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development
February23]27, 2009, United Nations, New York, New York
Thank you Madam Chair.
Indigenous Peoples support the statements made by NGO, Youth and business major
groups. The presentations this morning by the two panelist were very interesting as they
brought out some of the important ideas of sustainable livelihoods through sustainable
and eco agriculture. This is important for indigenous Peoples, local communities and
many hunter gathers around the world who are facing challenges in their lives due to not
only effect of climate change but due to loose of their lands, land tenure systems, poor
governance that has allowed the loose of the land of the people to monocrop production,
expansion of extractive industries large scale farming causing displacement of many poor
communities and loose of biodiversity that these communities depend on. As
Governments plan these large scale farming, measures should be taken to address and
prevent the negative impacts. As Agricultural remains the main pillar of poverty
reduction, diversification can function as a strategy for indigenous communities to mange
risks associated with climate change
Madam Chair, alternative livelihoods are critical to many indigenous and local
communities all over the world. Nomadic Pastoralist and hunter gathers in sub-Saharan
Africa have now to look for alternatives to their normal livestock and gathering way of
life to small scale farming as an alternative to survive. As we discuss the policy priorities,
there is need
�� To create awareness education and information for communities, on green
revolution and new technologies and other new alternatives, agricultural extension
work should be enhanced and reaches out to all with full recognition and
integration of community traditional and indigenous knowledge.
�� Indigenous Peoples and local communities recognize the role played by women in
food production, there is need then to allow women access to and jurisdictions
over land and natural resources and guarantee their representation in decision
making.
�� Land tenure systems in many of our countries are still a problem and there is
need to review land laws and agrian policies towards secure of tenure and land
rights for indigenous and local communities.
�� Adopt a comprehensive land use involving carefully planned crop rotation that
minimizes erosion and uses less water-dependent crops in drier months/years,
conservation agriculture, rainwater harvesting, water recycling and appropriate
water restrictions.
�� It is important to include community contribution in policy formulation, and
implementation to ensure that their needs are included and that the process is
open and Participatory.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Presented for Indigenous Peoples major group by Lucy Mulenkei- Indigenous Information Network
Indigenous Peoplesf statement for the major group intervention session,
Agriculture Monday 24th February 2009
IPM Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development
February23]27, 2009, United Nations, New York, New York
Thank you Madam Chair.
Indigenous Peoples support the statements made by NGO, Youth and business major
groups. The presentations this morning by the two panelist were very interesting as they
brought out some of the important ideas of sustainable livelihoods through sustainable
and eco agriculture. This is important for indigenous Peoples, local communities and
many hunter gathers around the world who are facing challenges in their lives due to not
only effect of climate change but due to loose of their lands, land tenure systems, poor
governance that has allowed the loose of the land of the people to monocrop production,
expansion of extractive industries large scale farming causing displacement of many poor
communities and loose of biodiversity that these communities depend on. As
Governments plan these large scale farming, measures should be taken to address and
prevent the negative impacts. As Agricultural remains the main pillar of poverty
reduction, diversification can function as a strategy for indigenous communities to mange
risks associated with climate change
Madam Chair, alternative livelihoods are critical to many indigenous and local
communities all over the world. Nomadic Pastoralist and hunter gathers in sub-Saharan
Africa have now to look for alternatives to their normal livestock and gathering way of
life to small scale farming as an alternative to survive. As we discuss the policy priorities,
there is need
�� To create awareness education and information for communities, on green
revolution and new technologies and other new alternatives, agricultural extension
work should be enhanced and reaches out to all with full recognition and
integration of community traditional and indigenous knowledge.
�� Indigenous Peoples and local communities recognize the role played by women in
food production, there is need then to allow women access to and jurisdictions
over land and natural resources and guarantee their representation in decision
making.
�� Land tenure systems in many of our countries are still a problem and there is
need to review land laws and agrian policies towards secure of tenure and land
rights for indigenous and local communities.
�� Adopt a comprehensive land use involving carefully planned crop rotation that
minimizes erosion and uses less water-dependent crops in drier months/years,
conservation agriculture, rainwater harvesting, water recycling and appropriate
water restrictions.
�� It is important to include community contribution in policy formulation, and
implementation to ensure that their needs are included and that the process is
open and Participatory.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Presented for Indigenous Peoples major group by Lucy Mulenkei- Indigenous Information Network