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Main findings
Mountain ecosystems are globally relevant for sustainable food systems. Mountain food systems are extremely diverse, both culturally and biologically. Mountain areas are highly vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. Mountain people are custodians and managers of this high diversity and ensure the provision of ecosystem services to the lowlands, such as water regulation. Women in mountains are holders of agroecological knowledge and agrobiodiversity conservation for food systems and are often the heads of households, but in certain areas lack access to basic services such as credit a
... Подробнееnd training. The international community and policy makers need to recognize mountains as vulnerable ecosystems. Mountains’ role in supporting sustainable food systems is still neglected and must be acknowledged. Mountain peoples have shaped mountain landscapes and food systems over centuries, but this equilibrium is being destabilized. There is a trend towards a simplification of mountain food systems, with a preference towards commercial and fast-growing crops. Many varieties are disappearing, not only leading to biodiversity loss, but also causing a shift toward unbalanced diets due to the abandonment of traditional diets. Mountain food systems are often for self-consumption and are less dependent on external inputs. Landholding is small and most practices are traditional with low chemical inputs and not mechanized. Traditional crops have much lower yields than their lowland counterparts do, and there is a lack of research on how to sustainably improve production. Intensive production systems are not feasible or sustainable in mountain ecosystems and should be avoided. High quality, highly biodiverse and low-impact products should be given priority. Pastoralism is a key economic activity in mountains, and access to pastures is important. Policies are needed to secure pastoralists’ rights to pastures and migration routes. In some mountain areas, the population growth has passed the carrying capacity threshold while in others the issues of outmigration are causing a serious depopulation with irreversible loss of culture and knowledge. The reduced access to services and education as well as the need to create alternative livelihood options in mountains need to be taken into consideration to increase income generation activities and youth engagement. Diversification of activities in the field and on the farm is crucial for building the resilience of mountain people’s livelihoods, and agroecological approaches can help at different scales. Mountain products are often high quality and low impact and have a potential to lift mountain people out of poverty. Most mountain products are climate resilient and have high nutritional value, but they are often neglected as policies do not support their production. Distorted and unequitable value chains are a serious problem for mountain producers. Public policies have a role in incentivizing direct investments to support private action and guaranteeing access to markets through adequate infrastructures. Public sector can have an important role in raising awareness as well as promoting consumers’ understanding of the value, culture and quality behind each product. Mountain agriculture needs participatory innovations to address the disconnect between producers, industries and consumers. Technology can be key in connecting mountains and markets as well as connecting communities in mountains. The organization of farmers through cooperatives and different associations is crucial to strengthen value chains, ensure fair compensation and increase mountain producers’ voices in the political debate. Collective marketing and product aggregation are necessary to support mountain value chains. Policies, technologies and innovations in agriculture have largely been designed for men and lowlands. They need to be tailored to mountain environments and people, including women and youth. The narrative, representation, visibility (i.e. through data) and role of women is essential for their agency and access to resources. Social protection is essential and should be considered in view of the frequent occurrence of disasters and risks in mountains. The role of mountain communities, institutions and the Mountain Partnership is to: • Develop programmes that focus on watershed management creating alternative livelihood opportunities for mountain communities. • Strengthen and maintain cultural diversity and identity, documenting indigenous knowledge. • Promote capacity building as a coping mechanism for indigenous communities and women in mountain areas. • Ensure that mountain people have the same access to services and infrastructures as lowland people and that their human rights are respected. • Preserve the local breeds that pastoralists rely on. • Develop indigenous seed banks within communities, possibly with the help of governments. • Compile a database on climate-resilient mountain crops and try to influence the use and adoption of these crops. • Promote mountain products and raise awareness of their value. • Identify and map biodiversity hotspots. • Promote cooperation between institutions. • Build local agribusinesses. • Conduct regional consultations that include mountain communities to give mountain people the opportunity to express their own desired development trajectories. Скрыть
Направления деятельности: 3, 4
Ключевые слова: Environment and Climate, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Women & Youth Empowerment