(PAKISAMA National Coordinator Raul Socrates Banzuela is attending this meeting in behalf of AFA.)
PRESS RELEASE
IYFF-2014: WORLDWIDE FARMERS LEADERS MEET DURING ABU DHABI SUSTAINABILITY WEEK IN ORDER TO AGREE GLOBAL DEMANDS TO BOOST FAMILY FARMING
· Participants seek global consensus on the major claims that Civil Society Organizations will transmit to decision makers during the International Year of Family Farming IYFF-2014.
· Family Farming, which provides 70% of the food consumed in the world and guarantees sustainable management of natural resources, requires a more determined support in most countries.
· This Women and Men Farmers Leaders’ meeting on the IYFF-2014 will take place on January 21-22, organised by the World Rural Forum and supported by Khalifa Fund for Entreprise Development and Agriterra.
Farmers leaders coming from five continents will meet on January 21 and 22 in Abu Dhabi, in order to agree global claims needed to strengthen Family Farming worldwide. Thirty leaders of farmers’ organisations will seek consensus on their main demands, which will be transmitted to society and decision makers during the IYFF-2014.
International Water Summit (IWS) and Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development will support the IYFF-2014, declared by the United Nations General Assembly, hosting this important meeting.
The event, organised by the World Rural Forum and supported by Khalifa Fund and Agriterra, is one of the first activities held by Civil Society Organizations attached to IYFF-2014 since the official launch of this International Year –last November in New York–, which aims to recognize and promote the contributions of men and women family farmers worldwide.
The meeting will provide the opportunity for leaders in the farming field to come together and discuss global issues and seek solutions. The aim is to be able to communicate these decisions worldwide, raising awareness on the matter during the International Year of Family Farming 2014.
Family Farming, whose role and potential as a guarantee of food security is not sufficiently recognized, produces 70% of the food consumed in the world and 40% of world households depend on this activity. Therefore it is the most efficient means to combat Hunger and Poverty. In addition to this, the bond between family farmers and their environment makes them a guarantee of sustainable management of natural resources. Not to mention that family farming protects agro-diversity through the use of native seed varieties and livestock breeds, well adapted to various environments.
All this contribution is a reality but, nevertheless, Family Farming remains forgotten and neglected in many countries. The farmers leaders’ meeting in Abu Dhabi will discuss about the necessary claims to promote a stronger public support for its empowerment.
In support of IYFF-2014, Khalifa Fund will present its agricultural related projects, which are aimed to increase crop productivity through innovation, leading to sustainable economic solutions. Zaarie, its most recently launched sustainable agricultural programme seeks to support and encourage Emirati farmers to adopt smart farming techniques, namely hydroponics.
“It is an honor for Khalifa Fund to host this important event. In Abu Dhabi Emirates there are over 25,000 farm lands. The Khalifa Fund hope to capture from such participation the sharing of knowledge and experiences and applying best practices, all in the effort to drive water conservation. The whole culture of having the Emirati population develop the farms given to them by the late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is nothing new, what has changed in the last decade is the technology that was going to support that development. What we now see is a culture that is thriving towards both commercial and sustainable solutions because of the introduction of new farming methods such as hydroponics.” Abdullah Saeed AL Darmaki, CEO Khalifa Fund.
Family Farming According to the FAO, is a “way of organising forestry and agricultural production, as well as fishing, grazing and aquaculture, which is managed and conducted by a family and which largely depends on the family labour force, both men and women. The family and exploitation are linked, they co-evolve and combine economic, environmental, reproductive, social and cultural functions”. When speaking of Family Farming we also refer to artisanal fishing people, shepherds, harvesters, landless day-labourers and indigenous communities.
The IYFF-2014 is the first International Year preceded by a Civil Society campaign, promoted by the WRF and backed by more than 360 civil and farmers’ organisation in five continents. After its declaration by the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Civil Society promoted its celebration as a tool to obtain public policies in favour of the sustainable development of agricultural systems based on the family unit: all of this with a commitment and spirit of cooperation with the official programme of the United Nations, organised by the FAO.
The World Rural Forum is a forum of international scope which promotes analysis and observation on Family Farming based rural development, in cooperation with universities and training/research centres, agricultural organisations, NGOs and other networks. The WRF, whose secretariat is situated in Vitoria (Basque Country, Spain) promotes the coordination of the Civil Society programme for the International Year of Family Farming.
The Khalifa Fund for Entreprise Development was established in 2007 by the Government of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It aims to promote entrepreneurship among UAE nationals by instilling and enriching the culture of investment as well as supporting SMEs. The Fund offers capacity building and financing programs which include Khutwa (micro), Bedaya (startup), Zeyada (expansion) and Tasnea (industrial).
More information on www.familyfarmingcampaign.net.
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