المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

Agriculture is only the sector having much more potential to reduce the poverty. Sustainable agriculture is one of the best form of agriculture to reduce the poverty. The rural farmers utilize the locally available resources as agricultural inputs in sustainable way without harming the eco-system. The impact of climate change have to face by the farmers. farming is the only the activity which started at first after civilization till to the date of the life on earth, that's why sustainable natural resources management is important for the eradication of poverty. As already said that the natural resources are the inputs of agriculture if the resources get imbalance then the agricultural production will be decline. The extreme poor people are really helpless they can't perform better without helping hands. In order to reduce the poverty and eliminate hunger, enough food production is necessary, for that selection of high yielding variety is necessary. The government and helping agencies should provide the support to the farmers.
Here i'm sharing an example of my village, there were some ethnics groups. They used to cut the fire wood and supply to nearby the city. Later on the community forest talk to the people not to cut the wood and choose next option for livelihood. The people choose the agriculture for the livelihood. They start contract farming in a group. The community forest also provide support to them. Now the are doing the job nicely. The earning and the production is also good. Now they are able to send their children to school.
This is my views/opinion about the role of agriculture in eradication poverty and eliminating hunger. Thanks

Micro franchising the key to Eradicating Poverty in Equatorial Region of Africa-Central African Republic & The Democratic Republic of Congo.

Natural resource management is critical to the eradication of poverty in Equatorial Region of Africa. This region is gifted with over 9 million square km of arable land and sufficient rainfall all year round in agricultural production especially crop production, livestock, fisheries and bee keeping. The natural environment has potential for crop production, livestock production and fish stocks and species that should be preserved, while being propagated to meet the global food needs.

It is important to look at the natural resources management and link technology to monitoring access to forest land for agricultural production through remote fencing. The idea being balancing global food needs and the capital monopoly in agro-business. When policies are developed to govern natural resource management, care should be taken that these policies do not affect food production. Let us take the laws developed in Central African Republic and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo around forest exploitation. There is a blanket policy of protecting trees from the local population, yet this policy does not seem to apply to multi-national companies that can pay the often punitive and deterrence license fees established to protect forests.  This policies stifles the local population to access capital from logging that would spur economic growth if it were to be allowed with stringent measures put in place to ensure sustainability.

The challenge that both Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo face is a double edged sword natural resource management policy that gullotines their economic development. The local population still operates an archaic subsistence economy, while competing with multinationals that operate a sophisticated international natural resource market that they (locals) cannot break in. It would be important therefore to organize the economy around natural resources that allows local population a chance to exploit, access to market through transfer of technology and linkages so that the natural resources can be of use to the local population and the global market. This was at the core of the Rio-De Janeiro Conference in 1992 principles 1&3 that stated that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development, they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature, while principle 3 states that the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental needs of present and future generations. These two principles if adopted would engineer the implementation of natural resource conservation exercise and will unlock opportunities for poverty eradication.

While focusing on the rights of the local populations, there is also need to have the multinationals change their corporate responsibility policy. In many places in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, the corporate responsibility strategy of the multi-nationals is a pittance compared to the benefits they reap and the impact of their actions to the local communities. The corporate responsibility should rather instead of building clinics and schools that are poorly managed and end up being white elephant projects. The multinationals should commit to mentor the local communities to engage and break into the cooperate market that the multinationals are exploiting. These in itself will be a fast track into transforming the global market in word and spirit. This means, that multinationals should share part of their franchise and give the local communities micro-franchising opportunity so that they (multinationals) can do quality control of goods that are produced by locals under their franchise. In this way they mentor them to break into the Global market.

Transfer of technology and skills by multinationals engaged in agricultural productions in high potential zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the production of coffee, tea, palm oil and other lucrative crops. The multinationals should transfer this technology to the locals in this way, low or cheap labour costs will be factored in the profit margins that the multinationals gain in these high agricultural potentials in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.

James Wabwire Agoro-Regional Livelihoods Specialist-Kinshasa 18/04/2018

Dear forum members,

I would like to respond to this question by the facilitators 

1) Under what conditions can agriculture succeed in lifting people out of extreme poverty? Particularly those households with limited access to productive resources.

In my opinion, developing and encouraging food production in marginal areas should be the center to reduce extreme poverty. Local food production allows access to food and, sometimes, good nutrition. Around food production and through ages, markets and market systems developed. Unfortunately, these systems are on the way to being extinct due to competition from modern productions. For example, to harvest cereals or olives, some people use heavy machinery that is not adapted to mountains, destroys the soil and often owned by outsiders who allow its use against rent payment

I believe that the following constitutes key components to help lifting people out of extreme poverty in marginalized areas:

a. Capacity development to bring in the knowledge of new tools for food production. Ex drought resistant varieties of their usual food. Also, it is not enough to form cooperative. It is essential to develop a training cursus for cooperative management and food production;

b. Any intervention needs to respect culture. Ex Dont bring in new varieties of barley where people are used to eat rice. Development cost will be higher and results not guaranteed;

c. Develop local market systems to build the new tools and marketing. Ex. Develop harvest machineries  that are adapted and teach the locals how to build them and market them locally. This could bring job opportunities for youth.

FAO resources on poverty eradication and agriculture

Here is a selection of titles proposed by FAO Publications for forum participants who would like to read more on poverty eradication and the role of agriculture

• THE STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2017: LEVERAGING FOOD SYSTEMS FOR INCLUSIVE RURAL TRANSFORMATION

This year’s report looks at rural and urban areas as a continuum, ranging from the farm level to megacities. With economic growth and population dynamics driving societal transformations, it emphasizes the dynamic roles that rural towns and secondary cities play in boosting the rural economy.

• STRATEGIC WORK OF FAO TO REDUCE RURAL POVERTY

Poverty is one of the greatest obstacles to human development and economic growth. Recognizing the diverse spectrum of poor rural households, FAO proposes a broad approach with differentiated strategies to help the rural poor move from low levels of labour status and productivity towards improved employment conditions.

• MIGRATION, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The document sheds light on the role that sustainable agriculture and rural development can play in curbing migration pressure in rural areas. Together with its partners, FAO is committed to further strengthening its efforts on migration within humanitarian and development contexts.

• SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE AND MARKET PARTICIPATION

This report covers the evolution of policies for smallholder development, including the role of value chains. It proposes innovative mechanisms to improve the availability of financial services and reduce transaction costs.

• COMBINED EFFECTS AND SYNERGIES BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL AND SOCIAL PROTECTION INTERVENTIONS: WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE SO FAR?

This publication identifies interactions between agricultural and social protection interventions and shows the positive impacts of combined programmes on income diversification, food security and poverty reduction.

• THE HOUSEHOLD AND INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMMES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. 
  
  SYNTHESIS REPORT

Using qualitative research and econometric analysis, this report analyses how unconditional cash transfer programmes impact crop production, agricultural inputs, labour allocation, risk management and social networks in seven sub-Saharan countries.

• SUPPORT TO FAMILY FARMERS TO REDUCE RURAL POVERTY
• LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND: ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE FOR A WORLD FREE OF POVERTY AND HUNGER
• ENDING POVERTY AND HUNGER BY INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AREAS
• REDUCING RURAL POVERTY THROUGH FARMER-TO-FARMER EXCHANGE
• BOOSTING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
• DECENT RURAL EMPLOYMENT, PRODUCTIVITY EFFECTS AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
• FAO SOCIAL PROTECTION FRAMEWORK

In many countries of ASIA farmers have no easy access to get all sorts of required information from one hub. Big land owners are not farmers in Bangladesh. In many cases non availability of quality inputs, degradation of soil health, huge crop diversity, insufficient of location specific technology are hampering farmers crop production level. Moreover, there are also information gap among farmers regarding practicing efficient farming methods. To resolve this problem ICT came to an action in a strategic way. It is creating a scope for undertaking integrated approaches in production level as well as accessing market system.

Extreme poverty is a global challenge; it is observed in all parts of the world, including developed economies but mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. According to World Bank data, in 2015, there were nearly 702 million people living in extreme poverty, down from 1.75 billion in 1990.  "Global Monitoring Report; Development Goals in an Era of Demographic Change" (PDF). www.worldbank.org/gmr. Retrieved 4 November 2015. Of the 2015 population in extreme poverty, about 347.1 million people (35.2%) lived in Sub-Saharan Africa and 231.3 million (13.5%) lived in South Asia.

In a broader perspective, poverty is a phenomena occurring mainly due to insufficient income caused mainly by deprivation of employment and inadequate opportunities, incurable diseases, deformities etc. Considering the above situation, poverty can be defined as a general state of deprivation, having more to do with entitlement and capacity, rather than conventional indicators such as income and nutrition .Therefore, poverty means, the forms of economic, social and psychological deprivation occurring among people lacking sufficient ownership, control or access to resources.

Most of the people in extreme poverty are in the rural sector and their livelihood is mainly related to agriculture. Hence, agriculture plays a very important role in eradicating extreme poverty.  Most of the farmers in the two regions indicated above cultivate small extents of lands mostly 0.5- 1 ha which are of different topography. Some are hilly in which soil erosion is prominent. Their net income has been sliding down consistently due to a number of factors indicated below:

• Soil productivity plays an important part in increasing/sustaining crop yields. A number of factors determine soil productivity. Among these are soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. In addition, soil erosion, soil management practices, climate also influence soil productivity.  Soil productivity tends to be reduced mostly by soil erosion caused by run-off. Continuous cultivation of crops in the same piece of land without implementing appropriate crop rotation programme, inadequate organic and inorganic fertilizer application also tends to reduce soil productivity.

• In many countries drought, floods tend to cause crop losses causing extreme poverty.

• In many countries good quality seeds and planting material are not available to small holders which tends to cause poverty.
• Weeds, insect pests and diseases cause yield losses causing a reduction in the incomes of farmers.
• High post-harvest losses.

• High cost of production mainly due to high costs of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and labour.
• Problems related to marketing.
• Inadequate implementation of Agro industries. 

The degree to which these issues/problems affect the small holder farmers vary considerably not only from country to country but also within the same country. For example,  in Sri Lanka, crop losses due to elephant damage and drought  in some parts of Sri Lanka is considerable which causes the farmers to continue to be poor. Floods in Bangladesh and droughts in India and sub-Saharan Africa have a devastating effect on the farmers’ incomes. Difficulties involved in marketing at reasonable prices and high post harvest losses in many Sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries also tend to exacerbate poverty. It is sine qua non that a comprehensive approach is adopted to increase income of farmers through appropriate actions with emphasis on increasing productivity to eradicate extreme  poverty in these two regions atleast by 2030.

Home gardening.

Home gardening plays an important role in alleviating poverty. A proper home garden fulfills the family’s food and nutritious requirement to a great extent and reduces the expenditure on food. It also improves the family’s food consumption pattern, minimizing the cost, maintains food and ecological safety through promotion of environmental friendly cultivation methods, encouraging youth to undertake home gardening and improves mental and physical health of family members.

Hence, Agriculture,  in addition to other factors, plays a very important role in eradicating extreme poverty.

Dr.Stanley Weeraratna

In Mongolia, the Nutrition Status of the Population of Mongolia Report (2017, Ministry of Health, UNICEF and National Centre for Public Health – see www.unicef.org/mongolia/NNS_V_undsen_tailan_eng.pdf) food insecurity is 64.7% and closely correlated with poverty quintiles. Vitamin D, vitamin A and iron are insufficient or deficient (especially vit. D). Obesity and overweightness is high and increasing. ADRA, IFAD, WB and other organizations in Mongolia have introduced diverse vegetable production to complement traditional “meat, milk and wheat” diets of nomadic pastoral culture. However, as the late Dr. Iftikhar in Pakistan noted, the “ruralization of the city” brings traditional culture to urban sedentary life where “junk food and drinks” add to the problems now being faced with infant/mother deficiencies, diabetes and other non-contagious diseases.

So yes, agriculture can help provide affordable diverse diets. But it is clear that media campaigns on TV, newspaper or with leaders/personalities are essential to promote culture change in line with the emerging lifestyles.

Kevin Gallagher/Future of Agriculture Virtual Think Tank in Mongolia

 

I have referred to our papers through past FSN  discussions, so I should not repeat myself. But I invite reflection on what should not be done. Pakistan is my example. 

If review in a national newspaper DAWN is a guide, then the recently finalized policy on food security promises zero hunger as a continued illusion. Malnutrition may worsen.

Wish I could paste the link but this contribution format does not allow it. Please check the link below. 

https://www.dawn.com/news/1401780/challenges-in-implementing-food-secur…;

Dear friends,

There are many places in the world where organic Cannabis hemp agriculture could have substantial,  uniquely beneficial effects on food security, nutrition, environmental integrity, water purification, insect control, and economic prosperity.

In many places, the greatest obstacle to solving many of the problems that afflict people is the lack of access to Cannabis because of the suppressive influence of the misconceived "drug war" that prohibits hemp agriculture. 

Consider that hemp is the ONLY crop that produces complete nutrition and sustainable biofuels from the same harvest. This means food security & nutrition are improved by cultivation of a crop that produces sustainable biofuels.

Responding specifically to your questions,

1. Under what conditions can agriculture succeed in lifting people out of extreme poverty? Particularly those households with limited access to productive resources. 

Cannabis is a non-invasive pioneer crop that grows extremely well with minimal input, under a wide variety of soil & climate conditions. Hemp is capable of producing essential food and energy resources, while it also provides multiple income streams from the seed, oil, fiber, stems, and roots. A valuable source of nutrition for animals and fish, hemp is a versatile, adaptable, ancient crop.

2. What is the role of ensuring more sustainable natural resource management in supporting the eradication of extreme poverty? 

"Ensuring more sustainable natural resource management in supporting the eradication of extreme poverty" begins with objectively considering ALL possible species of agricultural crops. Currently, hemp is excluded from consideration because of obsolete, counter-productive policies that prohibit hemp farming.

3. Can those without the opportunities to pursue agricultural production and to access resources such as fish, forests and livestock find pathways out of extreme poverty through these sectors?  

Cannabis hemp is a plant that grows well in wild places, attracts wildlife, and phytoremediates depleted and contaminated soils. 

4. What set of policies are necessary to address issues connecting food security and extreme poverty eradication in rural areas?

Ending Cannabis prohibition is necessary for allowing  organic agriculture to work.

5. Can you share any examples of experiences that succeeded in reducing (or eradicating) extreme poverty through an agricultural pathway?

There are many examples of farmers all over the world who plant hemp with great success. What has yet to be realized are the benefits to ending extreme economic disparity that global redistribution of hemp would have, through expansion of the arable base and standardization of energy production using hemp cellulose to produce hydrogen with which to generate electricity.

Thank you all for your great works and objective consideration.

Best wishes,

Paul von Hartmann 

Cannabis scholar

Ashland, Oregon

USA

Agriculture is the basic activity to eradicate poverty. However, the problems of agriculture that cause poverty in different nations are different.Therefore, the global intervention in agriculture to eradicate poverty depends on the specific issues prevailing in specific regions.

1. First of all, land reforms are essential so that everybody has access to sufficient land for cultivation to become self sufficient in  food production. Therefore, land reforms must be the most significant step to eradicate poverty. 

2. Promotion of strong democracy is the most significant political step to ensure people friendly land reforms in poor nations

3. In many poor countries, it is not access of people to land, but the lack of the basic resources for agriculture such as irrigation facilities, agricutural implements, fertilizers, good quality seeds and the like remian the major cause of poor productivity. Developemntal programmes to ensure such resources can eradicate poverty in such situations

4. Strengthening of financial  capabilities of village communities through formation of self help groups, microfinance schemes and credit unions are essential to improve agriculture in many village communities.

5. Low price for crops in the season and lack of storage facilities, exploitation by middle men and the like are the serious causes of agricultural poverty in many Asian village communities. Formation of agricultural cooperatives, centralized agricultural storage facilities, state interventions in the market, direct link of urban supermarkets to village cooperatives and the like are very helpful in eradicating such issues of poverty.

6. In many developing and even developed countries, the focus on agricutlrue should change from quantity to quality; that means people are ready to provide more cost for organic products than chemicalized products. Therefore, the income promotion activities in agricultural sector should focus on organic agricultural means. 

7. Developed nations can support organic farming procedures in the poor nations and thereby enabling them to get high prize for their products, through which povery can be eradicated