Ensuring Sustainable Food Security in ACP Countries: Regional dimension

Ensuring Sustainable Food Security in ACP Countries: Regional dimensionMahaman Bader M. Dioula

Regional Coordinator for Africa

10th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, Gaborone, 28 June – 1 July 2009

International Federation of Agricultural Producers

What is IFAP?The International Federation of Agricultural Producers … Represents 120 national farmers’ organisations from

in 82 countries. Is a global network in which farmers from all the

world exchange concerns and set common priorities. Has been advocating farmers’ interests at the

international level since 1946 and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

10 th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, Gaborone, 28 June – 1 July 2009

IFAP’S OBJECTIVES & MISSION Working to assure world food and nutrition security Assuring reasonable livelihoods for farm families IFAP’s mission is to develop farmers’ capacities to

influence decisions that affect them at both the domestic and international levels.


PECULIARITIES OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE ~ 70% of African population live in rural areas, with agriculture as

their core business. In most countries, agriculture generates 20-30% of the GNP, therefore

making it the means of subsistence for nearly 60% of the population. Double challenge of ensuring food security and population growth


PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS Very low average productivity due to small areas, unsuitable and non sustainable agricultural practices that increase the

erosion of the soil, therefore resulting in low yields. In many countries, agricultural practices are still rudimentary and most

of the agricultural work is carried out by manual labor or animal tracks


LAND Lack of comprehensive land policy (e.g. many farmers have

no rights to the land) The real dilemma of land titling is that it makes land a

commodity for speculation as opposed to a very dear commodity for food production.


RURAL FINANCING With the structural adjustment programs, public support for agriculture has

reduced dramatically Private sector considers farming in Africa as too risky to finance Low output prices, high cost of inputs, and limited access to credit makes it

difficult for smallholders to produce food sufficiently and efficiently. For example, inputs such as fertilizers and chemicals are very expensive for smallholder farmers to acquire

adequate quantities and realize high yields.


ACCESS TO MARKETS Smallholder farmers use to sell their product almost immediately

after harvest, when prices are very low, thereby losing market share. Poor roads, lack of electricity, and post harvest handling and storage

facilities are limiting farmers to access markets to earn some added value

Lack of appropriate organization of the marketing systems


ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS The climate change-the most “hottest” issue. Climate change and its related effects can

jeopardise Africa’s prospects for agricultural development and destroy all the programmes and efforts undertaken to eradicate poverty.


ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN To ensure food security for consumers and secure

livelihoods for producers, IFAP calls for new national and regional plans for agriculture.

Such plans are the only sustainable solution to food security in Africa and African farmers, who are the key players in this, need to play a central role.


1. InvestmentsInvestment in agriculture is key to economic growth for most developing countries, as was stressed in the World Bank’s WDR2008

Without secure land tenure and modern equipment for farm production and processing, yields will continue to be low and post-harvest losses high.

Without roads and basic infrastructure, farmers cannot receive basic inputs or get their products to market.

And without a firm national, regional and international commitment to agricultural development and a conducive policy environment in which it can take place, investment will not come.


2. Commodity Supply Chains Building commodity supply chains is fundamental in helping

subsistence farmers, cooperatives and other economic organizations become small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs.

African farmers need the opportunity to go beyond producing food for their families, and generate income from their farming activities.

They therefore need capacity to work together to develop local and regional markets.


3. Risk Managements

• Managing risks is essential for farmers to have the confidence to take innovative production decisions in the face of weather, disease and market risks.

• Farmers also need to be able to cover risks related to loan repayments

• Risk management tools that are adapted to the situation of small-holder farmers need to be developed.


4. Climate change

Climate change is leading to increasingly unstable weather patterns and water shortages.

Farmers must have the knowledge and means to adapt to climate changes, or see their production fall dramatically

Increased investment in agricultural research and extension is urgently needed to help deal with this situation.


5. Trade Trade is a stimulus for the development of

agriculture. However, national governments need to establish a

policy environment in which farmers can benefit from market growth.

WTO rules should give space for farmers to contribute to national food security and to be able to organize in the market.


6. Ecosystem Management

• Today the dual challenge faced by farmers is how to achieve sustainable food security and ecosystem management.

• IFAP advocates for increasing awareness of farming models where farmers are encouraged to adopt practices that would restore, maintain and enhance the ecosystem.


Success Story There are many examples worldwide to show that

food needs can effectively be met by farmers if governments are ready to give priority to the development of their agricultural sector.


Success Story (Cont’d) In 2004, the government of Malawi introduced a

farm input subsidy program-voucher programme This program transformed a food deficit situation to

a surplus in only 3 years and In 2007/8 Malawi became a regional supplier of

maize to other countries in Africa.


Lessons learned The voucher system provides farmers with additional

purchasing power to acquire seeds and fertilizer.

Building agro-dealer networks makes it possible for farmers to obtain these inputs at their doorsteps.


CONCLUSIONS


As the focal point for the Farmers’ Major Group within the UN-CSD, IFAP has released its Farmers’ Priorities for Action, which was included in the final text of the last CSD meeting in New York, 4-15 May 2009.

Conclusions

The UN-CSD document: recognizes that “agriculture lies at the center of

sustainable development” acknowledges the need for a sustainable “green

revolution in Africa to help boost agricultural productivity, food production and national and regional food security in a way that supports ecosystem functions”.


Conclusions (Cont’d) The UN-CSD suggests integrating farmers and local entrepreneurs into

agricultural supply chains through affordable credits, access to insurance, participation of farmers’ organizations in decision making and access to extension services.


Conclusions of the 16th IFAP Africa Committee meeting “Harnessing farmers' efforts to realize food security in Africa”

Nairobi, 22-25 April 2009

Lobby and advocacy for the accelerated attainment of the 10% budgetary allocation to Agriculture in National budgets

Linking African farmers’ organizations to regional Economic communities Establishing means of influencing continental initiatives (AU, NEPAD,

CAADP) to strengthen regional integration Lobby for the recognition of producer organizations as central actors in

CAADP implementation


Conclusions of the 16th IFAP Africa Committee meeting “Harnessing farmers' efforts to realize food security in Africa”

Nairobi, 22-25 April 2009

Promote public private partnership for institutional strengthening Active involvement of IFAP and affiliated members in the International Alliance against Hunger Embrace market research to strengthen bargaining power of smallholder farmers and access to

competitive credit and input sources Promote risk management to face market competition and natural disasters Promote farmers access to technical knowledge and agricultural innovations Continue efforts in capacity building for men, women and young farmers Encourage investments in climate change mitigation/adaptation approaches


Epilogue

Public policy makers need to re-engage with African farmers and other stakeholders to build an integrated policy for food security which would be:

Farmers-driven and socially acceptable Environmentally friendly and sustainable Economically effective and affordable Technically feasible and scalableCAN WE ACHIEVE THIS? YES WE CAN


Epilogue IFAP looks forward to working with all stakeholders

to exploit the full potential of agriculture for ensuring food security and sustainable development in Africa.


« Les destinées des nations dépendent de la manière dont elles se nourrissent »

(La Physiologie du Goût ou méditations de gastronomie transcendante, Brillât Savarin, 1826)


MANY THANKSFor more information

www.ifap.org


http://www.ifap.org/

Ensuring Sustainable Food Security in ACP Countries: Regional dimension

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