Официальная обратная связь диалогов

Il en ressort les recommandations ci-après des discussions ::  Contractualisation entre acteurs : la mise en relation des acteurs et la facilitation de contrats entre eux est une approche qui peut faciliter la mise en marché des produits des agriculteurs et des éleveurs, et en particulier des plus pauvres : l’agriculture contractuelle est un exemple possible de contractualisation entre des producteurs et un acheteur. Il est toutefois important dans ce cadre d’accompagner les petits producteurs dans la compréhension et la mise en œuvre du contrat afin qu’ils en tirent le meilleur ... Подробнееprofit possible ;  Promotion des filières locales à fort potentiel de valorisation (produits et sous-produits) et encouragement aux investissements moyennant des financement spécifiques (micro-crédits, subventions, …) pour le développement de ces filières locales souvent développés par des petits producteurs et productrices ;  Promouvoir l’identité territoriale à travers l’encouragement à la labellisation des produits locaux transformés artisanalement et à la certification bio chose qui permettra aux producteurs et aux transformateurs de gagner en notoriété et en qualité des produits à mettre sur le marché ; dans ce contexte promouvoir le secteur privé local en l’incitant à investir dans leur territoire d’origine ; ceci nécessite la révision du d’investissement afin de le rendre plus favorable aux petits investisseurs ;  Amélioration de la gouvernance des filières à travers la mise en place de structures regroupant l’ensemble des acteurs et permettant de définir conjointement le développement de leur filière : différents exemples de plateformes, d’inter professions, de clusters par filières existent en Tunisie, une stratégie d’appui à ce type de structure est nécessaire ; à ce niveau, les membres u groupe ont émis des divergences sur le mode de coordination des plateformes, certains estimant qu’elle doit relever de l’Administration, d’autres des acteurs privés, l’Etat n’ayant qu’un rôle d’observateur et d’accompagnateur ;  Promotion des circuits de distribution court (du producteur au consommateur) et la logistique correspondante afin de garantir aux petits producteurs une part accrue de la valeur ajoutée en concertation avec les autres acteurs impliqués dans la filière (points de vente, foires, information sur les produits…). Скрыть

En se basant sur les actions proposées par les participants, il en ressort les recommandations ci-après ::  Prendre des mesures drastiques pour sauver les ressources naturelles et en particulier les ressources en eau : le temps n’est plus au diagnostic, et les participants ont insisté sur l’urgence de promouvoir ce type de mesures et des technologies respectueuses de l’environnement, et adaptatives au changement climatique, qui sont de fait déjà connues et utilisés dans certaines régions de Tunisie, mais qui ne sont pas suffisamment promues ;  Promotion de l’agriculture fa... Подробнееmiliale dans ce contexte, l’agriculture familiale (plutôt que d’autres formes d’agriculture de type industriel) est considérée comme plus perméable à la pratique de culture moins exigeantes (en eau et intrants), et à l’élevage d’animaux adaptés aux conditions climatiques locales ; ainsi qu’à l’application de l’agriculture biologique moins demandeuse en intrants chimiques et de ce fait moins dangereuse pour l’écosystème, et moins coûteuse pour l’agriculteur, ou de l’économie circulaire qui permet une gestion des ressources plus économe ;  Elaboration d’une nouvelle politique agricole de rupture et de façon participative : une politique définissant les contours de changement d’approche est nécessaire de façon urgente et doit résulter d’une approche impliquant les différents acteurs des filières ; les agriculteurs mais aussi les acteurs du secteur privé doivent être partie prenante de cette réflexion et des choix stratégiques à opérer car ils seront ensuite ceux qui les mettront en œuvre ;un changement de paradigme est nécessaire au niveau du ministère en charge de l’agriculture : il doit devenir un ministère de la production agricole durable.  Adoption de mesures d'incitation économiques : ce changement de paradigme nécessitera un accompagnement technique et financier qui n’est pas présent actuellement. Il s’agit d’une évolution qui ne pourra se faire que sur la durée et avec un accompagnement rapproché. Les moyens financiers doivent programmés en conséquence, ce qui nécessite une révision des subventions accordées actuellement pour les recalibrer aux nouvelles approches à promouvoir ;  Sensibilisation et formation des acteurs locaux sur les bonnes pratiques agricoles respectueuses de l’environnement : dans ce cadre, la formation agricole et la sensibilisation sur l’importance de pratiquer une agriculture durable sera cruciale. La question du conseil agricole sera également à repenser en profondeur, avec par exemple l’utilisation d’approches digitales. Скрыть

En se basant sur les actions proposées par les participants, il en ressort les recommandations ci-après :  Développement équilibré du territoire au niveau national (entre gouvernorats) mais également au niveau du gouvernorat (entre délégations) pour réduire les fractures entre les régions et les sous-régions, et faciliter l’accès aux services de base à tous les ménages, en particulier l’eau potable ; mais aussi aux structures de santé et d’éducation qui sont souvent défaillantes dans les zones les plus reculées et pauvres ;  Promotion de systèmes alimentaires bas... Подробнееés sur des produits locaux : même en zones rurales, la tendance est forte de consommer des produits transformés importés, dont la qualité nutritionnelle est souvent sujette à caution ; dans ce contexte il est clé de recenser les produits et les savoir-faire locaux et de valoriser les bonnes traditions (toutes ne sont pas bonnes !), au travers de fêtes locales et par un système de certifications biologiques, appellations d’origine contrôlée, … ;  Information et Education nutritionnelle : en particulier au niveau des écoliers (promotion des cantines scolaires) et des femmes qui ont un rôle-clé dans la nutrition des jeunes enfants, mais pas seulement (l’ensemble des membres du ménage doit être sensibilisé à cette question) ; focus particulier sur les consommateurs et leurs associations, acteurs essentiels, qui par leurs choix alimentaires influent sur l’ensemble du système ;  Promotion de systèmes de production agricole et d’élevage peu ou moins utilisateurs de produits chimiques qui présentent ensuite un risque alimentaire : différents modèles ont été évoqués à ce niveau comme l’agriculture biologique, l’agriculture raisonnée, voire la permaculture…  Renforcement des systèmes de contrôle : les services publics ont à l’évidence un rôle fondamental à jouer pour mettre en œuvre dans la durée les impulsions et les cadrages nécessaires (autorisation/interdiction d’utilisation des pesticides, engrais chimiques, médicaments, antibiotiques… ; gouvernance et gestion des ressources naturelles, …). Or, la situation économique actuelle en Tunisie entraîne un affaiblissement des services publics qui ont de plus en plus de difficultés à assumer leurs fonctions régaliennes. Dans le contexte où ces systèmes de contrôle sont considérés comme prioritaires pour atteindre une alimentation saine, des choix politiques et budgétaires adéquats doivent être faits au niveau national et au niveau décentralisé ;  Autonomisation des associations de producteurs et de consommateurs : en complément au cadrage politique, et à sa mise en œuvre, il est important que les principaux types d’acteurs concernés soient organisés pour s’assurer que les normes soient respectées et pouvoir exercer une pression au cas où elles ne le sont pas. Les groupes de producteurs, les associations de consommateurs existent mais ne sont pas encore dans la pleine capacité d’exercer ce contre-pouvoir et de défendre leurs intérêts ;  Système de collecte de données et d’information basé sur le type de consommation alimentaire/ de la population à Kairouan (hommes, femmes et par tranche d’âge) et traitement des données. Ces indicateurs permettront d’agir de manière plus rapide et efficace et de prendre à temps les décisions adéquates de renforcement de l’accès à une alimentation saine et équilibrée. Les ressources humaines nécessaires à cette collecte et ce traitement des données devront être identifiées car elles ne sont pas disponibles actuellement et sont coûteuses. Скрыть

Pour ce qui est de l’aspect accès à une alimentation saine et équilibrée, les liens entre nutrition et santé sont de mieux en mieux connus, et le risque de développer de nombreuses maladies ,cancer, maladies cardiovasculaires, obésité ou encore diabète, ont été énumérés. Au regard de l’importance des enjeux considérés, les politiques publiques ont un rôle fondamental à jouer pour mettre en œuvre dans la durée les impulsions et les cadrages nécessaires (autorisation d’utilisation des pesticides et engrais chimiques, gouvernance et gestion des ressources naturelles, p�... Подробнее�nalités face aux infractions). Il faut lui en donner les moyens dans un contexte de diminution de ses ressources humaines et financières. Les consommateurs, acteurs essentiels, doivent pouvoir faire et imposer des choix éclairés. Pour cela, des efforts doivent être réalisés en matière d’information et d’éducation nutritionnelle, surtout auprès des plus jeunes et des publics sensibles. Parallèlement, des informations et des sensibilisations particulières doivent concerner les nouveaux modes d’alimentation « hors domicile », qui connaissent un fort développement du fait de l’évolution des modes de vie, parmi lesquels la restauration collective occupe une place importante (sensibilisation au niveau des cantines scolaires, de la restauration universitaire). L'intérêt de promouvoir des produits de qualité, valorisant les savoir-faire traditionnels, ne doit pas être oublié ; cette approche revêt de plus un intérêt environnemental au regard du respect des ressources naturelles locales, et économique au niveau territorial par le développement d’approches adaptées (certifications biologiques, appellations d’origine contrôlées). Il est crucial de ne pas oublier la mise en place d’un système d’information et de collecte de données basé sur les différents types de consommation alimentaire de la population à Kairouan (hommes, femmes et par tranche d’âge). Ces indicateurs permettront d’agir de manière plus rapide et efficace et de prendre à temps les décisions adéquates de renforcement de l’accès à une alimentation saine et équilibrée. Pour ce qui est de la durabilité des systèmes de production, les principes de l’agriculture durable ont été présentés comme relevant de trois niveaux d’exigence : la viabilité économique, l’innocuité environnementale et l’équité socio-économique. Pour y parvenir, il faut d’une part sensibiliser les acteurs locaux sur les bonnes pratiques agricoles (sensibilisation large grâce aux moyens de communications modernes, adoption d’une communication choquante si nécessaire) et d’autre part mettre en place les moyens nécessaires pour promouvoir ces modes de production durables et résilients tout en préservant la sécurité alimentaire des ménages. Pour ce faire, le groupe a insisté sur la nécessité, et l’urgence, d’ adopter des mesures d'incitation économiques et de promouvoir des technologies nouvelles appropriées de manière à garantir une offre stable de denrées alimentaires d'une valeur nutritive adéquate, auxquelles les groupes vulnérables auront accès. La création d’emplois et de revenus pour réduire la pauvreté à travers la diversification de l’emploi agricole et non agricole et le développement des ’infrastructures sont primordiaux : A ce niveau, il est nécessaire de soutenir et de renforcer la vision entrepreneuriale des jeunes ainsi que l’appui aux familles les plus pauvres en zones rurales comme en zones urbaines et -urbaines par la création de micro-jardins, micro-vergers, micro-élevages afin d’améliorer la sécurité nutritionnelle des ménages. Enfin, le groupe a considéré que l’agriculture familiale était le meilleur point d’entrée pour la gestion optimale des ressources naturelles et la protection de l’environnement en promouvant l’adoption de bonnes pratiques agricoles, des cultures peu exigeantes (en eau et intrants) et adaptées aux changements climatiques ; parmi les modèles à promouvoir ont été citées l’agriculture biologique moins demandeuse en produits chimiques et donc moins dangereuse pour l’écosystème, l’agriculture raisonnée, la permaculture. Le volet se rapportant à l’inclusivité et l’équitabilité des filières a, quant à lui, mis la lumière sur la structure des filières et ses caractéristiques. Il s’agit de l’ensemble des activités, organisations, acteurs, technologies, informations, ressources et services intervenant dans la fabrication de produits agro-alimentaires à destination des consommateurs. Elles couvrent les secteurs amont de la production agricole, depuis la fourniture d’intrants agricoles (semences, engrais, alimentation animale, médicaments ou équipement), la production et son aval (traitements post-récolte, transformation, commercialisation, distribution et vente). Elles englobent également les services d’appui tels les services de vulgarisation, la recherche-développement et l’accès aux données de marché. Ainsi, elles se composent d’un vaste éventail d’acteurs. Certains de ces acteurs peuvent dominer le reste des maillons de la filière et induire par conséquent à une filière non équitable et non inclusive (essentiellement en termes de partage de gain et de marge). Selon les caractéristiques de la relation entre les acteurs, la filière peut être non équilibrée et par conséquent non équitable chose qui peut créer un conflit d’intérêt. Elle peut en contrepartie être qualifiée d’équitable dans la mesure où la relation entre les maillons est basée sur la complémentarité au niveau des fonctions et sur un partage équitable de la valeur ajoutée globale de la filière. Скрыть

Afin d’atteindre un système alimentaire inclusif, nutritif, résilient et durable dans le gouvernorat de Kairouan, la concertation a associé deux volets : Un premier volet ‘’descriptif’’ et de mise en contexte au bout duquel les problématiques et enjeux du système alimentaire ont été mises en lumière. Il s’agit d’une étude de l’état actuel du système alimentaire à Kairouan en termes de composantes : caractéristiques des fonctions/acteurs intervenant dans le système alimentaire, de l’amont à l’aval en partant des systèmes de productions agricoles et leurs spé... Подробнееcificités jusqu’aux modèles de consommation alimentaire et profil nutritionnel de la population à Kairouan et ses attributs. Ceci en passant par les différentes fonctions associées au système alimentaires telles que la transformation agro-industrielle et la distribution/commecialisation des produits agricoles et agro-alimentaires. Nous avons également mis l’accent sur les problématiques auxquelles fait face le système alimentaire à Kairouan, dont celles associées aux changements climatiques, à la gestion des ressources naturelles, à l’accès à l’agrofourniture,… Un deuxième volet d’ordre opérationnel a pris place au niveau de la concertation indépendante à Kairouan et permis de faire ressortir des orientations et des plans d’actions opérationnelles qui permetrraient au système alimentaire à Kairouan d’atteindre les objectifs de durabilité d’ici 2030. Ces orientations ont été le résultat des débats et échanges entre des participants à profils diversifiés qui ont débattu pendant deux jours (1er et 2 juin) autour de 3 axes spécifiques : - L’accès à une alimentation saine et équilibrée pour tous - La durabilité et la résilience des systèmes de production - L’inclusivité et l’équitabilité des filières. Скрыть

There was a great diversity of opinion among participants who responded to the polling questions we posed during the On Air Dialogues. While there was significant agreement between women and men regarding food systems, there were important differences that should inform actions to create more gender-responsive food systems. Notably, women were more concerned about household nutritional intake, were more likely to consider loans and credit as key to farming success, and relied more strongly on informal networks such as friends and neighbours for information. They were also more likely than men ... Подробнееto prioritize those most in need when food is scarce. There were also some striking differences related to age and to country. For example: ● In Burkina Faso, more than half of participants said loans and credit are the key to success, a much higher figure than in other countries. Just 1 in 5 chose that option in Uganda, while 1 in 4 thought that secure access to and control over land was the key to farming success. ● Men under 30 were most pessimistic about the future of youth in farming for youth, while women over 30 were most optimistic, with more than 1 in 3 confident that today's children will succeed in farming. ● Women under 30 were more likely than women 30+ to turn to radio for information on how to cope with threats to their families and livelihood, while men under 30 were more likely than men 30+ to turn to agricultural experts. Please refer to the attached report for more thorough analysis. Скрыть

When asked about coping mechanisms when food is scarce, the largest percentage of participants said that their family would cope by asking everyone to cut back equally. A somewhat higher percentage of women than men said that those in need should eat first, and that the family should sell assets such as animals. We also asked participants what would need to change for everyone in their community to have equal access to safe, healthy, nutritious food all year round. Many participants identified moving away from chemical pesticides and fertilizers as a key priority. Many also placed a significan... Подробнееt emphasis on the importance of food hygiene and safety. Next, we asked what participants worry about most when they think about the safety and quality of their family’s food. Almost 75% of participants reported feeling troubled about the safety and quality of the food their families eat. We also asked participants what would give them the most success as a farmer. The need for finance emerged strongly. The largest percentage of participants said that loans and credit would give them the most success. When asked about the future of farming for today’s children, only 1 in 9 thought that young people should avoid farming altogether. Almost one-third said that young people would be successful in farming, while another third felt that they would struggle to succeed unless things change—pointing to the need to transform food systems to make successful livelihoods possible. A quarter of participants felt that young people would farm but would need other sources of income. Many participants said that the lives of farming families would be better if they had access to farming inputs. Others favoured more loans, credit, and general financial support. A number of participants said that farming families’ lives would improve if markets worked better for them. Finally, many mentioned various types of training and education. These responses underline the need to improve access to the resources, services, and markets that rural people need to improve their lives and livelihoods. Over 90% of participants felt there was something they could do in their community to cope with climate change. Less than 1 in 12 said that the only way to cope would be to move to another place. The highest proportion chose “protecting the natural environment.” Men were more likely than women to think that protecting the natural environment was the best strategy, while women were more likely than men to choose migration. Participants were also asked where they would turn for information to help them cope with threats to their family and livelihood. This question allowed participants to identify the threats that were most significant to them, as well as where they would go for information to help them cope with those threats. The largest percentage of participants said they would turn to family, friends, and neighbours. A little more than 1 in 4 chose radio. Participants were asked to name the biggest threat to their family eating enough safe and nutritious food. The four most common responses were: poor hygiene and sanitation, weather-related threats, agrochemical use, and lack of inputs or poor-quality inputs. Please refer to the attached report for more thorough analysis. The thousands of people who participated in the On Air Dialogues demonstrated that rural people can articulate what they need to transform their lives, from strategies for coping with climate change to accessing resources and markets. Most see a future in rural areas for the next generation—but say that action to transform food systems and combat rural poverty and marginalization is needed for them to have success as full-time farmers. Their voices are a vital contribution to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. Скрыть

First, participants anticipate that their children will be involved in farming. Only 1 in 9 felt that today’s youth should choose another occupation. However, over one-third felt that changes would be necessary to enable the next generation of farmers to succeed. Further, 1 in 4 people believed that young people will farm but will need to earn money from other sources as well. Second, while climate change is increasingly affecting small-scale farmers, few rural people think that migration is necessary to help them deal with climate-related threats. Over 90% of participants felt there was som... Подробнееething they could do in their community to cope with climate change. To increase the resilience of their farming activities and livelihoods, these farmers need support in protecting the natural environment, and receiving improved inputs and better information. Third, while many participants said that quality inputs would improve their yields, they said the single most important factor for success in agriculture was access to loans and credit. Fourth, many people were concerned about the safety of the food they eat and whether it meets their family’s nutritional needs. The On Air Dialogues show that small-scale farmers and other rural people are concerned about the food they eat and the future of farming. They see the impacts of climate change on their lives, and in their communities. They want more—and better—resources and information to improve their livelihoods. The initiative also demonstrated that small-scale farmers are ready and able to offer solutions. The On Air Dialogues are one of many simple ways to engage small-scale farmers and other rural people in discussions about the systems that directly affect them. When given the chance, farmers are keen to contribute. As nations, organizations, and individuals, we must commit to creating inclusive, accessible channels for farmers to join the conversation—and be heard—no matter what work they do, where they live, or what language they speak. Locally, nationally, and globally, decision-makers must not only hear but listen to, respect, and act on farmers’ opinions and concerns, and take full advantage of their knowledge and experience. Small-scale farmers and other rural people are the backbone of the global food system and must hold a central place in the conversation. Farmers and rural people have a lot to say. As nations, organizations, and individuals, we all must commit to listening and taking action together. Please refer to the attached report for more thorough analysis. Скрыть

The On Air Dialogues focused on three of five UNFSS Action Tracks, as follows: Action Track 1: Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all Action Track 4: Advance equitable livelihoods Action Track 5: Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stress Each of the three episodes from the series was dedicated to one of these action tracks. Within each action track, the On Air Dialogues also focused on a wide subset of topics (3 per episode), as follows: Safe food, nutritious food, diverse diets, land and land tenure, gender inequality in food systems, a role for youth in food systems,... Подробнее instability and conflict, infrastructure and finance, and climate change. The questions we asked were as follows. Week 1: If you think about the safety and quality of the food your family eats, are you most worried that: 1) It might cause illness due to poor food hygiene practices 2) The range of available foods doesn’t have all the nutrients needed for good health 3) It might contain harmful chemicals 4) I don’t worry - the food my family eats is already safe and nutritious. When food is scarce, what is the first thing your family does to cope? 1) Those most in need eat first and others sacrifice 2) Ask everyone to cut back equally 3) Sell assets like animals 4) Find other ways to earn money In the place where you live, what would need to change so that everyone has equal access to safe, healthy, nutritious food all year round? Week 2: Which of the following five options would give you the most success as a farmer? 1) Loans or credit 2) Secure access to and control over land 3) High quality inputs 4) Better information 5) Better market access What will farming look like in the future for today’s children? 1) They will be successful 2) They will struggle to succeed unless things change 3) Young people should avoid farming and pick another occupation 4) Young people will farm, but they will need to earn money from other sources too If you had more power to change things, what would you do to make life better for farming families? Week 3: Where would you turn to for information to help you cope with future threats to your family and livelihood? 1) Family, friends, and neighbours 2) Farmers’ co-operative/group 3) Radio 4) Agricultural experts 5) Input suppliers Climate change can have a big effect on farming. Which of the following would help you as a farmer to best deal with changes in the weather? 1) Improved inputs 2) Good information on how to adapt 3) Better use of water 4) Protecting the natural environment 5) Moving to another place What is the biggest threat to your family eating enough safe and nutritious food? Скрыть

There was broad consensus across the dialogue participants on many of the identified issues and challenges. Nevertheless, the areas of divergence often centred around differences in regional contexts and needs rather than significant ideological differences. However, one area of divergence was on the need to further define the term agribusiness for as one participant stated it is not uncommon for farming cooperatives to take unethical actions against small farmers who attempt to compete with them in the same manner as one would expect from an aggressive transnational corporation. However, anot... Подробнееher participant was of the opinion that the term agribusiness should be limited to transnational corporations and other agricultural businesses enterprises that operate across national borders. In other words, the definition should be limited to what might be termed the traditional understanding of the word. Nevertheless, this divergence was quickly overcome, and it did allow all of the participants to think in much broader terms around the identified issues and challenges. Скрыть

Action Track 5 - Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress: The participants noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact upon our global food systems and/or that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the extreme vulnerabilities within our global food supply chains. Therefore, more needs to be done by all relevant stakeholders to ensure that small farmers can access markets and production products during these extremely difficult times. Nevertheless, one practical solution to this issue it was noted, may be to ensure that small farmers have access to information a... Подробнееcross the supply chain. That would not only enable them to anticipate and plan for bottlenecks but also lulls in the market for certain produce. However, the more universal solution to this would be the implementation of more consistently applied international standards for agricultural production, supply and distribution. That can only be achieved by an international organisation, such as the United Nations, taking ownership of the many challenges and issues currently presented by the global agricultural sector and working with all of the relevant stakeholders to achieve a more sustainable future both for us and for our planet. For example, it was noted that on a global scale there is a clear lack of safety nets for small farmers, especially in developing nations, that would ensure that they are enabled to bounce back after periods of protracted uncertainty and disarray such as has been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Скрыть

Action Track 4 - Advance equitable livelihoods: The participants noted that small farmers’ lives, lands and livelihoods must be considered in balance with the demands of purchasers and consumers. In other words, a sustainable equilibrium must be the objective rather than an aggressive campaign to eradicate large businesses entirely from the agricultural sector. Only then will we see a positive shift towards a more sustainable future for our global food systems and for our planet. It is an indisputable fact that farmers need increased access to markets, innovation, trading and finance in orde... Подробнееr to survive the next 20 years. However, this can only be achieved by every member of our global society taking ownership of our shared food systems and/or moving away from what is currently found under the prevailing ‘get big or get out’ mentality that seems to be dominating our global food systems and the manner in which we theorise them. However, small farmers can take practical step themselves to advance their livelihoods. For instance, by collaborating with one another, via cooperatives, to have a larger more enhanced voice in policy discussions and to be able to access bigger markets and partnerships. Скрыть

Action Track 3 - Boosting nature-positive production: The participants noted that it is extremely challenging to identify clear recommendations that are scalable globally yet adaptable to local conditions. For instance, different financial incentives are needed in different economies and/or different technology is needed in different geographical regions. Green technology is still more expensive than fossil fuels, so in the context of economics small farmers are already at a disadvantage. We need to protect small farmers – whether they are profitable or not. However, this is clearly at logge... Подробнееrheads with a State Government’s responsibility to feed its population. Nevertheless, this still begs the questions is producing nutrient dense food more important than simply feeding a population processed food? What will be the medical and/or health implications of this in the future? Are we simple delaying an even bigger health crisis? These are all questions that need to be redressed at an international and a State level. State Governments need to implement financial incentives to encourage small farmers to grow more sustainable and environmentally friendly produce. However, this is not enough. Large companies purchasing and using the small farmers produce to make their products also need to be held accountable. For instance, it is common knowledge that such companies will say anything to promote their brand and/or to sell their products. However, what are they actually doing to encourage small farmers to be organic, to be environmentally conscious, to use less water and so on… These are once again issues that must be redressed by policy makers as a matter of extreme urgency. However, one solution to this issue maybe to persuade State Governments to do more to dissuade their populations and businesses from putting everything into an economic context and focusing much more on the human and environmental impacts that this current model is having. It was suggested by participants that we need to shift from GDP focussed development to quality of life and sustainable development. Скрыть

Action Track 2 - Shift to sustainable consumption patterns: The participants noted that farmers and consumers need to be better connected. Not only in terms of market access and availability but also in terms of practical understanding. In other words, only when the consumer innately understands the processes behind the food that they see on their shelves will they appreciate the urgent need for small farmers to be supported not only financially but also when it comes to the small farmers’ environmental conservation endeavours. This will also help to inform consumers behaviours and expectati... Подробнееons. The participants also noted that State Governments, large and small agricultural organisations, businesses and civil society organisations need to do more to mitigate and adapt to the negative impacts of climate change which have been brought about, in part, by the increase in large scale farming. Particularly, when it comes to the automation of what once used to be human inputs and an ever increasing reliance upon the mass use of fertilisers and pesticides. However, it was also noted that this shift can only be affected by policy makers recognising the urgent need for swift and irreversible action towards more environmentally friendly policies and legislation that are targeted to incentive small farmers towards more sustainable methods and practices. Finally, it was noted by our participants that young people are increasingly unwilling to take over what once termed the family business but are instead opting to migrate to larger cities in search of more prosperous job opportunities. That has largely been brought about by their parents being trapped in revolving cycles of debt by predatory loan management companies and the closure of local agricultural businesses. That in turn only makes it harder for young farmers to earn a reasonable standard of living. Therefore, more needs to be done by State Governments to level the playing field between small famers and large agribusinesses. Especially, when it comes to small farmers access to resources such as local markets, trading houses, abattoirs and so on… Скрыть

Action Track 1 - Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all: The participants noted that small farmers need financial and technical support to grow and sell more nutritious varieties of crops. Primarily, as it is a big risk for many farmers to change what they are currently growing without any financial support or incentive. In other words, it might not always be profitable or comparably profitable for them to grow more sustainable and environmentally friendly crops. Furthermore, different regions experience difference realities, both in terms of the agroecological and the socioeconomic... Подробнее conditions in which they operate. Therefore, State funded technology and innovation are essential particularly when it comes to helping small farmers grow more sustainable produce and/or reducing their food loss and waste. The participants also noted the dire need for State Governments to refocus their attentions on educating consumers from a young age about our global food systems and the many barriers to small farmers’ effective participation. Therefore, more needs to be done by State Governments and educational institutions to inform their populations about the source of the food that we see on our shelves. Скрыть

What are the greatest challenges and threats posed by agribusinesses operating within our global food systems and how can they be overcome? Agribusinesses concentrate on profits and economies of scale in which the environment, diversification and small scale faming is often sacrificed to achieve target profits for shareholders. Therefore, small farmers cannot take on TNCs if the later infringes upon their lands, deprives them of markets or curtails their independence. Small farmers often lack the necessary resources to attend court and/or to advocate for themselves. Therefore, this lack of acc... Подробнееess to judicial recourse only favours large agribusinesses interests who have large funds at their disposal. By encouraging local entrepreneurs to develop and expand their farming businesses, those farming businesses eventually develop into large agribusinesses, so we need to further define exactly what kind of businesses we are discussing. For instance, it is not uncommon in one participants opinion for farming cooperatives to take unethical actions, in the same manner as an aggressive TNC, against small farmers who attempt to compete with them. Consequently, a concrete universally agreed definition of agribusinesses is urgently required. We must also urgently look at the effect that agribusinesses have on the earth, the climate and the future of our planet. It is imperative that we maintain a planet that sustains human life for the next generations. Therefore, it is crucial to ask and expect multinationals and their businesses models to be conducive to that future because at the time of writing the nature of multinationals is fundamentally misaligned with the maintenance of the planets health. What legislative and other policy measures do you think State Governments should adopt to ensure that TNCs and other businesses enterprises, operating within domestic agricultural markets, are appropriately regulated and dissuaded from committing human rights violations? With the help of unions, small farmers can achieve a crucial amendment to food chain law which bans the procurement of food below the cost of production. Agroecology is weakened if small farmers do not own the land they work. Therefore, Governments must do more to ensure that the land rights are in the hands of those who work and live on the land rather than the corporate sector. However, this contention is complicated by the fact that in countries that do not have property records, the Governments (mainly postcolonial Governments) are persuaded by TNCs to digitise land records. In the process they are denying indigenous practices where there isn’t one individual that owns a certain plot of land but rather a communal style of ownership. Therefore, capitalism is running against indigenous traditions to dispossess people of the land that they have lived and worked on for many centuries. Agribusinesses are driven by profit maximisation. Therefore, Governments must do more to dissuade their populations and businesses from categorising everything within an economic context as this only serves to further disadvantage small farmers. Governments must do more to incentivise the growth of crops that are currently imported and/or to increase the diversity of crops being grown within their borders. Only then will small farmers and corporations pay more attention to a nations overall food security. What practical steps do you think small farmers around the globe could take or should take to compete with agribusinesses who are currently operating within their domestic markets? Small farmers should begin by looking at what is feasible under the current system. By asking themselves ‘what can I do within the current system to grow more sustainably?’. For instance, if the farmer is reliant upon growing rice and has no other option within the current system but to grow rice, regardless of the negative consequences, then they should undertake the necessary enquiries to unearth the modern techniques or methods that would allow them to grow rice but with less water consumption and less pesticides. Small farmers should shift towards more sustainable agriculture by looking into the alternative crops that can be grown. Specifically, those that are traditional or native to their lands. For instance, those that can be grown all year round or that thrive within their country specific environmental conditions. However, one of the limitations to this is that there may not be an easily accessible market to the small farmer for them to sell their produce. What do you want to see coming out of the UN Food Systems Summit? Small farming should become a protected category within international instruments and international policy. There is a crisis of imagination - people cannot imagine another world where these identified issues and challenges have been overcome – therefore the majority of participants would like to see clear and substantive reforms that that are good for small farmers and for the planet. This will only come about by the relevant stakeholders reimagining the current system but crucially sharing that new vision with their populations. Every member of our global society must be encouraged to rise up and demand change. Internationally agreed upon steps to guide agribusinesses towards a more sustainable future. The onus should be on the agribusiness to take all appropriate steps to ensure that their employees understand the negative effects that large scale farming can have on the rights of small farmers, the soil and the environment that we all share. Скрыть

With the introduction of corporations into agriculture, small farmers have faced many barriers to make ends meet. Monsanto’s reported objective is ‘No Food Shall Be Grown That We Don’t Own’. Right from the seeds to the crop, agribusiness have a monopoly. They own the seed, so they own the produce. Where does the farmer fit in? How are their expenses covered and their livelihoods maintained? Economic instability in the agricultural business has forced our youth out of farming as a way of life. What once used to be family owned farms have now become corporate enterprises often operated v... Подробнееia machines. Pesticide and fertiliser use has contaminated the environment and unfair prices have created unending cycles of debt. Additionally the supply and demand chains are unregulated, preventing crop diversification and creating soil anaemia. Food is a basic human right. As is access to food. Each nation has the right to produce its own food while maintaining its cultural and productive diversity. A direct democratic intervention is needed, but it must understand the issues at hand; especially those of the small farmers. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we put those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than agribusinesses. It is an oversimplification to wish agribusiness to simply ‘play nice’. More needs to be thought about. Therefore, the main focus of our dialogue was on seeking to unearth the proactive steps that can be taken to deal with agribusinesses at not only a legal and policy level but also the practical steps that can immediately be taken by small farmers around the globe to compete with agribusinesses who are currently operating within their local markets. Therefore and in order to achieve the above, the Curator began the dialogue by giving a 15 minute oral introduction to the many challenges and common themes that have arisen out of the globalisation of our shared food systems (please see attached). After which the participants where then asked to discuss: • The extent to which they agreed or disagreed with what he had said; • The greatest challenges and threats posed by agribusinesses operating within our global food systems and how these identified challenges and threats can be overcome; and • What legislative and other policy measures State Governments should adopt to ensure that TNCs and other business enterprises operating within their domestic agricultural markets are appropriately regulated and dissuaded from committing human rights violations. However, the participants were free to discuss any other matters that they felt to be relevant and pertinent to our overarching discussions theme – food sovereignty. The participants were then informed that by agreeing upon a list of proactive steps that can be taken to ensure that the rights to use and manage lands, territories, water, seeds, livestock and biodiversity are in the hands of those who produce food and not the corporate sector would represent a vast paradigm shift in the current rhetoric but would also help to awaken the world to the fact that we must all work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food. However and going beyond the above, the participants were also informed that by attempting to find sustainable solutions to the identified challenges and issues their discussions would also help the UN Food Systems Summit to: • Generate Significant action and measurable progress towards the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • Raise awareness and elevate public discussion about how reforming our food systems can help us all to achieve the 17 SDGs by implementing reforms that are good for people and for the planet; • Develop principles to guide Governments and other stakeholders looking to leverage their food systems to support the SDGs. It is anticipated that these principles will set an optimistic and encouraging vision in which food systems play a central role in building a fairer and more sustainable world; and • Create a system of follow-up and review to ensure that the Summit’s outcomes continue to drive new action and progress. Скрыть

Group 5: Urban Poverty and Food Security Ensuring food security for the urban poor requires to adopt a more holistic approach that looks at community and regional level empowerment. The group reiterated that the urban poor were significantly more vulnerable to the food management issues such as food adulteration, access to nutritious food and occupational hazards related to food handling. The urban poor lack awareness about nutrition and food value. Besides, living expenses are generally higher in urban areas, including prices of foods. Food adulteration is harming the health of city-dwellers ... Подробнееirrespective of their income level. However, the poor suffer more, as they can barely afford the expenses of treatments required to recover from diseases caused by intake of adulterated foods. Food adulteration is also causing many chronic diseases, treatment costs of which are making an entire family destitute. Actions to be taken: • Balanced development among rural and urban areas and decentralization of services and opportunities are required to be enhanced. Necessary extensions services and facilities of a good standard should be ensured at all levels for decentralization. • Further research and studies are required to be conducted to know the food system, consumption pattern, and consumer behaviour of urban areas including the poor in greater depth, which will help inform policy and program interventions. • Information centres (also remotely accessible) can be established to satisfy the inquiries of urban consumers about food safety, hygiene, standards, sources, and authenticity. • The infrastructural development has built a convenient and quick connection among rural, peri-urban, and urban areas during the last decade. Thus, the rural and urban food systems are not isolated anymore, rather they are closely connected • Urban people, including the urban poor, can be engaged better in food production through rooftop gardening. City governments can support them with necessary inputs and know-hows initially. Organizations like FAO, Practical Action, and Department of Agricultural Extension of the government are working to promote urban farming and can join forces to enhance it further. • The Department of Fisheries can work together with FAO and other development partners to develop policies for safe food handling in the markets. • Development partners, NGOs, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wings of private sector can partner with volunteer organizations (such as Biddyanando Foundation) to reach food aids to urban poor communities in an efficient manner during crisis. • A mechanism should be developed to ensure that leftover foods from restaurants, community halls, and social ceremonies are safely and hygienically distributed to street children and the urban poor. Some volunteers are conducting these drives; however it is in an ad hoc manner. Private sector can come forward to develop such mechanism. Middle and higher income groups should be made aware of not wasting food. • Women-specific program interventions should be taken up widely, as they are one of the most vulnerable and food insecure groups. Food security should be assessed through a gender lens and women’s participation should be ensured at all levels of decision-making and implementation. • The nutrition value and the quality of food should not be compromised based on the cost of food items. Hence it is responsibility of the Ministry of Food and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh to ensure that safe and nutritious food is affordable by all. • Mass Awareness campaigns on sustainable food consumption should be conducted among all economic classes. • Overall, job opportunities need to be created and investment needs to be made in the agricultural and food sector to promote safe and affordable food to all along the food value chain. Creating alternative income generation opportunities in the rural areas will help to subside the rates of migration from rural to urban areas. Скрыть

Group 4: Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress The key concern that was highlighted by the group was the food crisis that was faced during the national lockdown in 2020 to contain the COVID-19 in the country. There were instances of hoarding that had led to increase in food prices, as the transport system was hampered during the lockdown. This was also a time when the vulnerability of the urban poor/migrant labourers was exposed, as without a government-sponsored social safety net program, they are subjected to both food and livelihood insecurity. However, the Ministry of Food... Подробнее under its various programs has been working towards providing the food at subsidised rates, especially during the pandemic, such as the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) truck sales, in which sugar, lentils, rice, wheat, soybean oil and other essential items were sold at lower rates. However, these interventions are established at the national or the sub-regional level and the local governments do not have the power to provide these subsidies or the mandate to provide affordable and nutritious food to its citizens. In certain instances, the city mayor has provided support through their own personal funds. Actions to be taken: • It was suggested that greater agricultural land should be integrated into the city plans (this could include conversion of vacant land, rooftop gardening, allotment of specific agricultural land in the City Master Plans etc.) which would help in shortening the food supply chain and also provide for a source of subsistence to the urban poor. • The City Corporation would need to work with the Agricultural Extension department and the local community to pilot interventions such as rooftop farming and promote farming techniques such as hydroponics and aquaponics. The group suggested that the pilots for rooftop farming should begin on Government residential buildings. • The city corporation should ensure the establishment of more farmer markets in the city with adequate support infrastructure, where local farmers can sell their produce. • Overall, there is a need for a comprehensive ‘urban food policy’ involving multiple stakeholders (such as Department of Agricultural Marketing, Local Government Engineering Department, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Disaster Management and the local urban bodies), wherein they coordinate and improve the urban food supply chain and ensure access to safe and affordable food especially for the urban poor and the marginalised communities. Скрыть

Group 3: Advance Equitable Livelihoods This group particularly focused on promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all actors along the food value chain which shall eventually contribute to the elimination of poverty. Key issues that were highlighted was the degree of challenges and vulnerability faced by the people occupied in and around the food sector in urban areas including those in food production, processing, handling, transporting, vending or trading, and food waste management. The street food vendors often do not have a legal status and thus are at the risk of bein... Подробнееg evicted as well as victims of theft. These vendors are often left at the mercy of local police or political syndicates that take bribes from the vendors, in order to secure vending spots. As their stalls are usually make-shift structures, they are subjected to extreme weather conditions, air and noise pollution, affecting not only their health but also the freshness of the food they serve. Due to their temporary status, access to potable water, sanitation and waste disposal is also a challenge. This also leads to poor personal hygiene condition for food vendors. Most fresh market workers and food vendors work for long hours without breaks or weekly off-days. They often get very low or below subsistence wage or income. There is also significant discrimination in the working conditions of male and female workers. Further, there are no nutrition or social safety net programs for the urban poor such as those of the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Programme (BINP) that are available for rural communities. Informal actors in the urban food value chain play a vital role in feeding the large urban population. However, they do not have access or opportunities to join agencies such as business owners’ associations. Most of the food sector workers live in slum areas. The urban food system is also playing a vital role in creating and widening livelihood opportunities in the rural areas. The businesses and livelihoods of rural food system actors are thus heavily dependent on their urban counterparts. Online food purchase and delivery services have opened up new market opportunities for rural producers to sell their products directly to the urban distributors of consumers, including employment opportunities in delivery and distribution services. Actions to be taken: • Enabling and supportive environment is required for women. • Infrastructural improvements are required to enhance food vendors’ access to water and sanitation facilities and to improve their personal hygiene condition • City Corporations and Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection should work together to protect both the rights of food sector workers and consumers. Regulations should be developed to set and enforce a minimum wage rate for the food sector workers. • Proper policies and implementation system should be in place to allocate specific areas for street food vending. Thus, city governments will not need to evict them and acknowledge the informal vendors. Quality control measures should be set. Furthermore, a mechanism should be developed so that the wastes generated from the food vending stalls reach out up to the solid waste transfer stations of the city. • People working along the food value chain in urban areas can be made involved in urban farming which can serve as an alternative source of food security and income generation for them. • City governments should develop initiatives to protect rights of people employed in different e-commerce based food businesses and related services, as this is an emerging and rapidly growing sector. • Micro and small traders should be empowered through their inclusion in the private sector based procurement channels. • Elimination of influence of local politics and syndicates, and give rights to agency/ union/ cooperatives. Скрыть