2021 KLMPE: Building back better towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable rural development

2021 Knowledge Learning Market and Policy Engagement (KLMPE)
“Building back better towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable rural development”
9-10 December 2021 | 08:00 – 17:00 GMT+8 Philippine time | Zoom

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Background and Rationale

Thirteen years and counting, the Knowledge Learning Market and Policy Engagement (KLMPE) has been the platform for government agencies, civil society organizations, academe, research institutions, and international development partners to discuss and facilitate knowledge exchange on best practices in agriculture and rural development.  The KLMPE is designed to be a learning venue for all rural development practitioners and advocates across the country.

From 2014, the KLMPE anchored its learning exchange to the International Year of the Family Farming (IYFF), which in 2019 became the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF). The conference showcased successful and innovative models or products of smallholder farmers and fishers’ organizations. It also facilitated discourse on policy issues surrounding the thematic pillars namely – i) asset reforms in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and ancestral lands; (ii) agri- enterprise development; (iii) agri- cooperative governance; (iv) climate-resilient agri-fishery-forestry; and (v) gender and age-sensitive family farming.

However, in 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak has posed several problems not only to national but also global development. It has placed heavy responsibilities on the governments and has increased the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and fishers.

While other countries see a progression in the fight against the virus, the Philippines remains to be one of the struggling countries still seeing a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases, and its economy going downhill as a result of extended community quarantines.  With no end in sight to the rising numbers, the country makes way to the “new normal” where people are urged to observe social distancing, wear masks, avoid crowds, and other behavioral changes to limit virus transmission. The imposition of community quarantines in the country hampered the livelihoods of many people given transportation service restrictions, and limited business and office operations.

The process to rebuild the path towards development is very challenging. Observing and practicing health protocols and restrictions in mobility limits the reach of development actors. It is in this light that the 2021 KLMPE will focus to facilitate knowledge exchange and discussion of best practices and innovations during the pandemic. The conference will also focus on policy issues moving towards recovery. This year’s KLMPE will be anchored on five thematic pillars – 1) asset reforms in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and ancestral lands; 2) agri-enterprise governance and development (farmers’ empowerment); 3) ICT and digital agriculture; 4) climate-resilient agri-fishery-forestry; and 5) gender and age-sensitive family farming.

Theme 

Main Theme: 

• Building back better towards resilient, inclusive, and sustainable rural development

Strategic Theme:

• Strengthening family farmers for increased productivity and competitiveness beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Thematic pillars will include the following: 

• Asset reforms in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and ancestral lands
• Agri- enterprise development and governance
• ICT and digital agriculture
• Climate-resilient agri-fishery-forestry
• Gender and age-sensitive family farming

Objectives

At the end of the conference, the following results are envisioned:

• Understanding of COVID19 impact on family farming/smallholder farmers and their and partners’ efforts/initiatives in addressing challenges deepened;  
• Awareness on the progress of government and non-government/private entities’ response to the pandemic and corresponding recovery programs for farmers/fishers increased; 
• Concrete cooperation and collaboration between farmers organizations, government and civil society organizations towards raising agricultural productivity and competitiveness amidst the pandemic facilitated; and
• Action agenda of policies, programs, and projects for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable rural development including actors updated and identified.

Duration/Activities:

The 2021 Knowledge and Learning Market and Policy Engagement (2021 KLMPE) is a two-day event that will include the following:

1. Interactive Learning Exhibit that will showcase products, models, technology, and innovations from IFAD, FAO, DA, DAR, and other related agencies and CSO/FO- supported programs and projects, together with further information about programs/projects/services of the exhibitors at Butuan City.
2. Case studies on Smallholder Family Farmers & Fishers Success Stories and Models will present selected good practices and models in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  There will be video presentations for the cases to facilitate the online presentation and discussion.
3. Product Knowledge Demonstrations will be actual sharing/demonstration of practical innovations or programmes that can be adopted or accessed by farmer/fisher/forestry organizations. Presenters will have the option of pre-recording the actual demonstration.
4. Updates on the Status of the 2019-2020 KLMPE Action Points and Philippine Action Plan 4 Family Farmers (PAP4FF)

Participants

Around 500 participants are expected from FOs/POs, NGOs, government agencies, GOCCs, LGUs, legislators, financing/financial Institutions, academes, foundations, private/business sector, development partners, media.

KLMPE 2021 is organized by IFAD, FAO, IFAD Projects (FishCORAL, RAPID, ConVERGE, APFP Philippines), ARDKPP (PAKISAMA, AFA, AsiaDHRRA, We Effect, Trias, PhilDHRRA, KAMMPIL, KAISAHAN, UP-CIDDS)

KLMPE is a platform for government agencies, civil society organizations, academe, research institutions, and international development partners to discuss and facilitate knowledge exchange on best practices in agriculture and rural development.

Indicative Program of Activities

9 December 2021 (Day 1)

10 December 2021 (Day 2)