[“Making agricultural investments more inclusive: building a framework for action”. February 28, 2013. London. International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).]
This was one of the main points emphasized by AFA in a recent roundtable discussion organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) last February 28, 2013 in London.
In the meeting entitled “Making agricultural investments more inclusive: building a framework for action,” AFA Policy Advocacy Officer Lany Rebagay said that small-scale farmers could have greater bargaining power if they deal with investors on a collective approach rather than on individual basis
AFA joined the first panel to articulate the perspective of small-scale women and men farmers on important elements that a prospective investor should include in their community engagement and on concerns related to embedding inclusiveness in contracts specifically on important elements that should be included in an investment contract that will ensure inclusion of smallholder producers.
Ms. Rebagay articulated the principle of free Prior informed consent (FPIC) as a key principle that prospective responsible agricultural investor should abide. She also articulated the primacy of genuine peoples’ participation in all stages of agricultural investment.
Equitable sharing of risk and benefits as well as concern for protection of biodiversity through the use of sustainable production and processing technologies should likewise be assured in the design of any agricultural investment.
On the issue of ensuring inclusiveness in contracts, she pointed out that technical and legal assistance is important support needed by smallholder producer that government in partnership with CSOs should made available to facilitate fair negotiation in contracting process.
In addition, informed decision by the community/smallholder can be best achieved with access to information made available through transparent process, of making relevant investment document at the public domain. Moreover, mechanism for regular review, monitoring and redress of grievance should be clearly stipulated in any contract.
Particular concern on land-based investment and gender was also discussed during the workshop. Participants articulated the need for clear government regulation that will protect land rights of smallholder farmer including reform in some customary land rights that marginalizes women.
The round-table workshop was attended by representatives from CSOs, research institute, private sector, government, intergovernmental bodies (FAO, IFAD).A follow-on meeting on March 1, 2013 was attended by interested groups from the workshop. The follow-on meeting identified some key action points and areas for future cooperation.
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