Family Farming (FF) is the primary focus of the work of the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in El Salvador, where the highest levels of poverty are concentrated; while paradoxically at the same time, there is a high proportion of produced food consumed by the population. The social sector has accumulated a store of knowledge and experience on which the main policy of FF is built upon in the country. The FF in El Salvador has an important and unique role in relation to the livelihoods of rural families; mainly for their ability to ensure food and nutritional security, income generation, environmental conservation and demographic balance. FF is the foundation in which the balance of nature, society, economy, political stability and social sustainability rests upon.

With 21,000 km², El Salvador is a small country in terms of land area. Yet it is the third most populous country in Central America with a total population of over 6 million, of which 37.5 % live in rural areas. 65% of the country's surface area is on mountainous slopes and is where small producers cultivate.

The 4th Census of Agriculture of the country (2007-2008) recorded 395.588 producers, of which 18% are commercial and large producers. While 325.044 (82 %) appear as small producers, whose acreage is less than three hectares. One thing to note is that 9% of farmers own 72% of the surface, while the remaining 91% have 28% of the arable land. That means a large percentage of agricultural production in El Salvador is concentrated in small areas of operation, both for consumption and sales of surplus in basic grains, animals and fruit.

Agriculture in El Salvador maintains a dual characterization; there are many commercial farms operating for the export economy in one aspect, and then there is the food industry which restricts many farms to a subsistence economy.

This subsistence economy, quite neglected by public policies in recent decades, does not produce enough to families in many cases due to access to food or basic services necessary to ensure their quality of life income. However, this sector provides an important contribution to food production.

Since 2011, the Government of El Salvador boosted the Family Agriculture Plan as a major policy on agriculture and livestock, obtaining significant achievements and as a continuation of this important policy developed in March 2015 launched the institutional strategic plan of the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock 2014-2019 "Agriculture for the good life" posed as priority 9th "Strengthening of Family Farming".

This text is kindly provided by the authorities of this country