AFA participates in a regional dialogue on family farming in Asia and the Pacific

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), supported by an informal preparatory group representing Family Farmers’ Organizations and regional rural development NGOs – Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), AsiaDHRRA, La Via Campesina (LVC), and Pacific Island Farmers Organization Network (PIFON), conducted the Regional Dialogue on Family Farming in Asia and the Pacific: Leveraging the role of family farming towards more inclusive and resilient food systems in response to crises in the RAP region on 29 June 29, 2022 virtually via Zoom.

The event was attended by over 180 participants from 30 countries, mostly from the Asia Pacific Region (from Pakistan to the Cook Islands, including Mongolia, Japan, and Fiji), representing governments, Family Farmers Organizations (FFOs), research and academic institutions, FAO country offices and civil society organizations or non-government organizations. There are also participants from other regions such as Africa and Europe, representing large Family Farming Organizations and Networks. 

SESSION 1: OPENING 

Opening remarks: Ms. Marcela Villarreal, Director, Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO

Watch the Opening message

Welcome remarks 

• Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO RAP Regional Program Leader – Watch the video
• Mr. Hubert Boirard, Country Director, Asia & Pacific Division and Grant Manager of FO4A/APFP/ARISE, IFAD – Watch the video
• Dr. Ir. Andriko Notosusanto, Indonesian National Food Agency (NFA), Representative from Indonesian Government acting as ISC member 
• Mr. Zainal Arifin Fuad, ISC Member on behalf of Farmers Organizations

SESSION 2 – STOCK TAKING OF 3 YEARS OF UNDFF IN ASIA PACIFIC AND MOVING FORWARD 

The UNDFF: An updated assessment of the results of the first 3 years : UNDFF Secretariat, Mr Guilherme Brady, Chief of Unit, Family Farming Engagement and Parliamentary Networks, FAO HQ

The UNDFF in the Region: Development of Regional/National Action Plans on Family Farming and implementation 

Status of RAP & NAP implementation 

• Philippines National Action Plan: Dr. Rosana Mula, Director IV, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute –
• Nepal National Action Plan: Ms Sabnam Shivakoti, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal – Download PP
• Indonesia National Action Plan: Mrs Rinna Syawal, Indonesian National Food Agency (NFA) – Download PPT
• SAARC Regional Action Plan: Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, Director, SAARC Agriculture Center (SAC) – Download PPT 

• FFOs contribution to the UNDFF implementation 

Update from the Pacific: Ms. Angela Birch, Program Manager, Pacific Farmer Organisations (PIFON) – Download PPT 

• FO and CSO mobilization, challenges, and recommendations: Synthesis from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and the Philippines: Ms. Irish Baguilat, Coordinator for UNDFF and Women Farmers’ Agenda, AFA – Download PPT 

Focus on Rural Communication Services 

– Presentation of ComDev Asia (video) (5’) – Video 

– Results of the regional RCS process, including findings & evidence, priorities to advance RCS for family farming: Mr. Mario Acunzo, ComDev Team Leader, FAO HQ – Download PPT 

– Participatory Communication Plan and the upcoming UNDFF regional campaign: Dr. Maria Stella C. Tirol, Dean, UPLB College of Development Communication, Philippines & ComDev Asia Regional Facilitator – Download PPT 

– Next steps and activities through ComDev Asia: Ms. Irish Dominado, KM and Communications Officer, AFA – Recorded presentation 

SESSION 3. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: CONTRIBUTION OF FAMILY FARMERS ORGANIZATION TO SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS – (PILLAR 6) 

Role of FFOs’ in adapting to Climate Change 

• Role of small-scale fishers in Eastern India in climate change adaptation: Ms Pooja Moitra, Institute for Motivating Self Employment (IMSE), India – Download PPT
• The role of Pacific Farmers Organizations in climate change adaptation: Mr. Kyle Stice, Executive Director, Pacific Farmer Organisations (PIFON) – Download PPT
• The role of Southeast Asian Farmers’ Organisation in climate change adaptation: Mr. Muhammad Nur, Chairperson of Komunitas Swabina Pedesaan Salassae (KSPS/ Salassae Self-reliant Rural Communities), Indonesia – Download PPT 

SESSION 4 – TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: FOSTERING THE INCLUSION OF RURAL YOUTH (SUPPORT YOUTH AND ENSURE THE GENERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY OF FAMILY FARMING / PILLAR 2) 

Policy and Capacity Building: Experiences from FFOs 

• Policy level: Mr. Melissa Alamo, Advocacy officer, PAKISAMA (National Farmers’ Federation), Philippines – Download PPT
• Capacity building of young farmers: Mr. Chandra Bahadur Loktam, Communication Officer, Central Tea Cooperative Federation, Nepal – Download PPT
• Increasing Employability: Experiences from FFOs: Lessons In Non-Formal Adult Education for Self Employed in Agriculture: Video Tutu Rural Training Center, Fiji ‘

SESSION 5 – TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: BUILDING THE CAPACITIES OF FAMILY FARMERS ORGANIZATION AND ENSURING EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION THROUGH APPROPRIATE FINANCING AND IMPLEMENTATION MODALITIES (PILLAR 4) 

Experiences from FFOs in the Pacific Region 

• The Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific, FO4ACP (PIFON, IFAD): Ms. Angela Birch, Program Manager, Pacific Farmer Organisations (PIFON) – Download PPT 

Experiences from FFOs in Asia Region 

• Assuring Resiliency of Family Farmers Amidst COVID-19 (ARISE project): Ms. Maria Elena Rebagay, Program Manager, Asian Farmers Association, (AFA) – Download PPT 

Experiences from a National FO 

• Financial Inclusion of Smallholder Farmers in Bangladesh through Producers’ Organization: Sara Bangla Krishok Society (SBKS) – Download PPT 

SESSION 6 – KEY FINDINGS AND THE WAY FORWARD TO THE GLOBAL FORUM 

• • Recommendations from the consultation processes 
• – Pan Sopheap, Executive Director, Farmers’ Nature Net on behalf of Farmers’ Organizations – Download PPT 
• – Ms. Ika Krishnayanti , Indonesia National Committee Family Farming 
• – Ms Kae Sekine, Executive Board Member of Family Farming Platform Japan, Japanese NCFF 
• – Ms. Angela Birch, Program Manager, Pacific Farmer Organisations (PIFON) – Download PPT 
• – Maria Genesis Catindig, AsiaDHRRA: 

CLOSING REMARKS 

• Mr. Hubert Boirard, Country Director, Asia & Pacific Division and Grant Manager of FO4A/APFP/ARISE, IFAD 
• Mr. Pierre Ferrand, FAO RAP, UNDFF regional focal point