Family farming in some Latin American and Caribbean countries represents more than 80% of all farm activities, more than 60% of food production and overall farmlands, and more than 70% of farm jobs. Not only does family farming provide food for cities, create jobs and generate income for the poor, it also contributes to the balanced development of rural territories and communities. Recognizing its importance to national economies, the countries in the region have established family farming as one of four priorities for technical assistance provided by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its most recent Regional Conference, held in March 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Globally, family farming and its relevance in the current and complex context of highly volatile food prices has been recognized, and this has prompted the United Nations to declare 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming.
The FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean has, therefore, adopted the mandate to ensure family farming occupies
the place it deserves. Together with Member Nations, we have developed an FAO Strategic Framework for Cooperation in family farming in
the region. One of the many actions involved is sharing experiences among these countries.
This first edition of the Family Farming Newsletter seeks to do precisely that: disseminate information about family farming in Latin America and the Caribbean through interviews, and document good practices and other information regarding the status of family farming in the region. Here at FAO, there is no doubt in our minds that by supporting family farming we can foster the
economic development of the region and tackle hunger and poverty head on.