Rome / Online -  In the context of the First Global Forum of the UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028, and the recent publication on “Labelling and certification schemes for Indigenous Peoples’ Foods”, FAO’s Indigenous Peoples Unit and the Family Farming team organized a thematic dialogue to explore replicable practices of labelling and certification conducted by Indigenous Peoples that could be example for family farmers all over the world.

Indigenous Peoples can contribute significantly to the family farming debate thanks to their wealth of traditional knowledge, spirituality and understanding of ecosystem management. Indigenous peoples share several key elements in their livelihoods that make them distinct. They have unique food systems, generate hundreds of food items from the environment without depleting natural resources, and achieve high levels of self-sufficiency.

"As we move towards the Global Forum on the UN Decade on Family Farming, we must use the tools provided so far to generate a synergy in policies, specifically for Indigenous Peoples", said Marcela Villarreal, Director of the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO. 

In preparation for the first Global Forum on the UN Decade on Family Farming (UNDFF), happening on 19-22 September, Thematic Dialogue on Family Farming and Indigenous Peoples. 

"We know that Family Farmers and Indigenous Peoples' policy agendas may have differences, but they also offer a space for intersections, possible synergies, and strategic alliance that would benefit both groups", stated Guilherme Brady, Head of Unit for Family Farming Engagement and Parliamentary Networks within FAO.

The Global Action Plan of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) is the result of a global consultation process involving many partners worldwide. Designed around seven pillars of work, the Global Action Plan recommends a series of interconnected actions from the local to the global level.

"The positive impact of Family Farmers and Indigenous Peoples goes far beyond food production: they care for the community, nutrition, biodiversity, and sustainable development, all correlated to these constituencies and how they produce. The Global Action Plan tries to emphasize and bring opportunities in policy areas beyond the more specific agricultural ones. These aspects are crucial not only for the challenges that we face in our societies but also for achieving sustainable food systems," remarked Guilherme.

"One of the things that Indigenous Peoples share with family farmers is this sense of reduced bargaining power—a particular marginalization and discrimination vis-a-vis large producers and large commercialist schemes. There are many points in common with the situation that family farmers and small-scale food producer face, and we ought to explore building synergies", explained Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa, Head of FAO’s Indigenous Peoples Unit.  

FAO has worked with the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) to analyse examples of labelling and certification schemes developed by Indigenous Peoples' or applied in marketing Indigenous Peoples' biocultural products in different regions of the world. The publication was launched on 12 September, and some of the findings were brought to the Thematic Dialogue to show the potential of labelling and certification schemes for family farmers and Indigenous Peoples. 

"An appropriate differentiation marketing strategy linked to the indigenous specific quality and communicated through a label is key to promote and preserve Indigenous Peoples' food. All the communities would benefit from it, improving their self-esteem while financially empowering them," explained Florence Tartanac, Senior Officer, FAO Food and Nutrition Division.

Florence explained that mobilizing people and financial resources for the process of the studies and analysis can be challenging and time-consuming; therefore, the involvement of local communities and stakeholders is crucial, as well as the need to create strong coordination, recognition at the national level, and a link with a marketing strategy.

Karen Mapusua from the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) explained that organic certification schemes in the Pacific were developed by and for the Pacific Islands communities. Regional and collective small-farmers holders manage these schemes, always considering their values, climate change and cultural traditions.  Karen also introduced the concept of Participatory Guarantee Systems in the Pacific, which certify producers based on the active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.

"The Participatory Guarantee System is a peer-review system, strengthened by working with traditional and Indigenous government structures. These systems must be allowed to continue growing and reflecting the needs of Indigenous Peoples", said Karen. 

The Participatory Guarantee System should be recognized without the control of global regulations to allow Indigenous Peoples and small-scale farmers to manage their land from generation to generation.

In addition, Mathew John, Director of the Keystone Foundation, shared the case study of honey hunters from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu, India. Mathew stressed the importance of diversity in production, and the adaptability of a production system to the local context, suggesting including this process in the policy agenda.   

"Within our markets, we have to tell the story. When we look at the producers, they have their ambitions and needs; we need to be able to give them options and recognize them.," affirmed Mathew.   

Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO's Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division asked "how can we create synergies between the decade of family farming and Indigenous People's policies? There is a need for recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their diversity and different needs, including languages. [...] I think that there is so much to work on different kinds of approaches and ways in which, together with Indigenous People themselves, solutions can be worked through, discussed, and then implemented," she concluded.

Through the Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems, FAO continues working with Indigenous Peoples organizations and research centres to co-create knowledge and provide evidence about the uniqueness of Indigenous Peoples to generate food in sustainable, resilient and biodiversity-protecting ways.

Learn more:

·       UN Decade on Family Farming

·       Labelling and certification schemes for Indigenous Peoples’ Foods