When you think about advancing an SPI for agrifood systems in your country, what is the greatest challenge that the FAO guidance, such as presented here, can help address? What suggestions do you have to make the guidance more practical and useable at the country level?
i think there is a big challenge in countries like mine where most decisions are passed through the legislature (parliament) and then final approval by the head of state. most of our parliamentarians are more engaged into business and politics and do not master issues of environmental, agriculture or agri-food production, challenges and policies, policies are being made which does not tie with the realities in the field because these policy makers do not go to the field. leaving it alone for our government(s) will not be enough and i thing the FAO should change the strategy of strengthening partnerships with African governments by working more directly with agriculture extension officers and rural development NGOs, who could assist to meet directly with rural and small scheme farmers to educate them on the thresholds and policies through capacity building workshops and field demonstrations. ........
Mr. Eyongetta Njieassam