by the GFAR Secretariat Half of humanity is fed by fertilized-based foods. But many farmers are struggling to source the fertilizers they need – and chemical fertilizers are also contributing to environmental degradation. So what’s the solution? We all know that healthy, fertile soils are crucial for ensuring efficient, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems—and, in turn,… Continue reading A GFAR webinar: Addressing soil fertility
This think piece by Sayed Azam-Ali, OBE, is written as a reflection on the fifth instalment in the GFAR Talks webinar series on the topic: “`Can higher education better meet the needs of rural agricultural communities?“. GFAR Talks is a showcase for debate on challenging and provocative topics related to agrifood system transformation, climate change and innovations… Continue reading Agriculture can be a role model for transformation of higher education
by the GFAR Secretariat Agri-food heritage systems have been recognized for their potential to help address food security and to promote sustainable development worldwide. But significant progress in promoting and developing these systems remains to be made. Can the creation of a new digital knowledge environment help change this? The World Agricultural Heritage Forum thinks… Continue reading Creating a digital knowledge environment to promote agri-food heritage systems.
Maintaining momentum in the implementation of the UN Food Systems Summit National Pathways: A GFAR Webinar.
This think piece by Sayed Azam-Ali, OBE, is written as a reflection on the fourth installment in the GFAR Talks webinar series on the topic: “Forgotten foods are future foods: Bridging food sovereignty between generations“. GFAR Talks is a showcase for debate on challenging and provocative topics related to agrifood system transformation, climate change and innovations in… Continue reading Forgotten foods – a manifesto for the future of food?
by Confederation of Family Producer Organizations of the Expanded Mercosur (COPROFAM) [Original language at the end] COPROFAM presents the results of their work with family farmers in collaboration with FORAGRO in the Collective Action on Inclusive Digital Agriculture After several months of activity, which began in the second half of 2021, the Confederation of Family… Continue reading First-hand experiences of family farmers in Latin America on the use of ICTs
This think piece by Sayed Azam-Ali, OBE, is written as a reflection on the third installment in the GFAR Talks webinar series on the topic: "Repurposing food and agricultural policies to make healthy diets more affordable". GFAR Talks is a showcase for debate on challenging and provocative topics related to agrifood system transformation, climate change… Continue reading Healthy diets, healthy planet? – Not likely
The world is at a critical juncture and it is increasingly important to build resilience for improved future global food systems. Youth are an invaluable stakeholder in this mission.
Sayed Azam-Ali, OBE The war in Ukraine has exposed existing fault lines in the global food system which we ignore at our peril. We cannot claim that we were not forewarned but, to date, we have ignored the evidence of vulnerabilities in the global food system at every level, including its fragile supply chains, effects… Continue reading The War in Ukraine and the Global Agrifood System: Implications for Africa and Beyond
World Rural Forum Strengthen Family farming has proven to be one of the paramount strategies to address the challenges facing humanity, including food security, climate change, forced migration. In times of crisis, the resilience, know-how, adaptability and community roots of family farmers are essential in attending the food, social and environmental needs of populations. Today… Continue reading Enabling policy environment towards unleashing the potential of family farming
By Sophia Amoah (Knowledge Management Intern, FARA, Ghana) A picture depiction of a small farmer family. Photo Credit: Brand Spur FAO defines family farming as: “a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral, and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family capital and labor, including both women’s… Continue reading Small-scale family farming in changing food systems
By Lisa Desbordes(Agribusiness Intern, FARA) In both developed and developing countries, family farming is the most common form of agriculture. In the world, there are about 500 million family farms. Peasants, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, fisher folk, mountain farmers, herdsmen, and many other groups represent every region and biome of the world, and include peasants,… Continue reading Shifts in small scale family farming
By COPROFAM Meet Wagner Canal, a family farmer from São Domingos do Norte in the Southeast region of Brazil. He strongly believes that family farming must keep up with the global technological advancements and continuously reinvent itself to stay relevant. Wagner Canal in his farm To this end, the family farmer has invested in internet… Continue reading Brazilian family farmer bets on ICTs and Youtube channels to spread knowledge
Michel Ghanem - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University “Why is it common sense to diversify our investment portfolio, but not the world's food portfolio?” asks Dr. Arif Husain, Chief Economist at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize (quote from Twitter, 23rd March 2022). As we diversify our… Continue reading Africa’s forgotten crops could offset growing food insecurity
CABI The armoured bush cricket is considered even more destructive than the fall armyworm in parts of Southern Africa (Credit: Léna Durocher-Granger). CABI researchers are hoping that the concept for a new award-winning digital tool could help in the fight against the devastating armoured bush cricket which is blighting the crops of small-scale farmers in… Continue reading Award-winning digital tool to fight devastating armoured bush cricket pest
Farm Radio International Three women from the Koalma community listening group in Burkina Faso examine their solar powered radio. Farm Radio International. Once a week, families in western Burkina Faso gather around the radio to hear the fictionalized story of Batogma and her husband, Mahadou. “Head of the family, how many bags did we store… Continue reading Radio dramas spark conversations and challenge gender norms
By: Hajnalka Petrics, JP GTA What if your diet was lacking proteins – because fish and eggs are considered fit for men, but not for women? What if you were deprived of your source of food and income – because the law allows land to be owned by men, but not by women? What if… Continue reading Joining forces to promote gender transformative approaches
by Anna Patel, CGIAR The participation of both women and men is critical for productive, climate-resilient food systems. Yet, women face many more barriers than men. Gender inequality is endemic within natural resource management and agricultural systems, where girls and women have less control over resources, access to services and opportunity to engage in markets.… Continue reading Ready? Set? Transform! How to make gender equality last
by Vincent Mariadho - Prolinnova Kenya Coordinator 56-year-old smallholder farmer Rebecca Auma Dero is the brains behind the innovative sack-garden irrigation kit. Identified during the now concluded Proli-FaNS (Promoting local innovation in Food and Nutrition Security) project run in Kenya by Prolinnova Kenya, Rebecca’s innovation has been documented and used as a starting point for… Continue reading Local farmer innovation an entry point for farmer-led joint research
By Andres Sanchez FORAGRO/IICA Digital agriculture solutions are considered by many as innovations per se. However, if we more ambitiously see innovation as "an iterative, social process characterized by attempts, trial and errors", aimed to "respond to one or more constraints hindering the wellbeing of an individual, of a group, or of a whole community"(1),… Continue reading How do family farmers perceive digital solutions in the LAC Region
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