International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty - Asia and Pacific perspective
Regarding the objectives, the region suggests that the process should follow the SSF Guidelines for a more transformation approach that builds in the importance of knowledge, territory and sovereignty, without a focus on ‘productivity’. E.g. to promote the contribution of small-scale livestock producers to an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable future for the planet and its people and contributing to eradication of hunger. Therefore, it would be important to avoid the focus on productivity in this case.
For what concern the scope, it can be reasonable given the diversity of the meaning of small scale around the world. However, it worth considering the report’s comment that ‘small-scale production systems continue to provide livelihoods for the producing households and important ecosystem services – such as habitat provision, biodiversity (both wild and agrobiodiversity) and vegetation management – for the benefit of society (FAO, 2022a). Small-scale livestock farmers and pastoralists are the custodians of much of the world’s animal genetic diversity (FAO, 2007).’. These values are important and could really help in framing the scope of the guidelines.
Regarding the process, it would be best to start with small-scale livestock farmers’ organisations to do the democratic discussions and knowledge sharing, which could then provide the base for the next stage of discussions. Limiting the scope of their involvement to what is already proposed by policymakers reduces the transformative potential of this exercise.
Suggested read: Jonas, T., Trethewey B., (2023) Agroecology for Structural One Health, Society for International Development.
Mr. Stefano Mori