المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

The Vegan Society have been exploring the benefits of plant protein crops (pulses like peas and beans) as a genuinely sustainable solution for our agricultural sector. These wonder crops provide everything we need in terms of nutrition and environmental benefits. If we want a system that produces, sustainable, healthy, affordable, and ethical food for everyone, then a shift towards growing protein crops provides a win-win-win-win.

Our report attached, written by New Economics Foundation, outlines the benefits of plant protein agriculture and the policy changes required to incentivise production.

These policies include: -

Subsidies: Create a Protein Aid Scheme 

Entry: Make protein crops a focus of a new farm entry scheme

Research: Designate funding for the research and development of protein crops

Taxes: Deduct farm subsidies to account for externalities in animal farming

Public procurement: Increase the serving of plant proteins in public canteens

Decision-making processes: Give a voice to a wider range of stakeholders

Dear Team

we have just published a UA Magazine on Urban Agroecology perhaps it is of interest for your consultation. It can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://www.ruaf.org/publications/urban-agriculture-magazine-english-0

Kind regards,

Femke Hoekstra

RUAF Foundation, The Netherlands | www.ruaf.org | +31614974409 (Mon, Tue & Thu)

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The history of agrecology "described simultaneousy as a science, a set of practices and a social movement" on different continents does provide food for endless debates of pro's and con's in a wide range of points of vue from ideology to hard science... 

One of the reasons why Agroecolgy is still a controversal issue, is that scientific evidence is late behind what farmers and often CSOs and the private sector have already developed in various contexts and practices. Often agroecology is based on practioners or activits says. On the other hand the inherent complexity of agroecology ( simultaneously adressing social, economic and ecologic objectives + local adaptation) advocate for a multicriteria analysis that involves different types of science that need to be balanced. 

Nowadays many decision makers are convienced of the need to move fast towards agriculture transition in order to meet the current challenges in food production, healthy food and lanscapes, sustainable natural ressources management, food security , combating poverty and mitigation and adapatation to global warming. But the public policies are still not in line and their adoption is challenged by short term return considerations put to the front by investors and lack of information.  

Unfortunatly the available knowledge is often fragmented and centered on only one or two aspects . We must admit a common accepted methodology for scoping agroecology in its complexity is still not yet availalble. Also there is a need for a global overview of the already existing agroecological  practices all over the world . 

Let’s all know the terminology of Agroecology and how it will implement into social, economic, lastly environmental. Today there is 3 billion people will be on poverty level as a result, industrial agriculture will be a major contributor to climate change, which in turn is distressing the livelihoods of family farmers around the world.  Although 3 percent will have access to limited oil supplies that will shift the prices of fertilizer for most family farmers where it will be too expensive to buy other factors that will contribute such as health related issues either overweight or malnourished since the world means to produce enough food to feed nine to ten billion people by estimate population peak expected by 2050. The ideas is to bring a gap of an alternative agricultural development paradigm to encourage more ecological, biodiverse, resilient, sustainable and socially just a forms of agriculture.  In conclusion it’s to bring smallholders, family farmers and indigenous people rather than 50 percent to a global agricultural output for domestic consumption. 

Colleagues:

I assume you all realize that this consultation by focusing also on other innovations for sustainable agriculture and food systems

that enhance food security and nutrition leaves the door open for what many conventional international and academic organizations have been pushing for: considering agroecology as one more tool to be used along with other "innovations" ( transgenic crops, mini-dosages of fertilizers, climate smart agriculture, sustainable intensification, etc) to achieve "sustainable" agriculture ( whatever this means- a politically and socially void term used by Monsanto, World Bank, etc).

I invite you to read the Declaration that SOCLA along with other partners put out after the Latin American Congress of Agroecology in Brasilia last October 2017.which delves into this controversial issue.

Although I will personally not get involved in this excercise, SOCLA is hoping that committed agroecologists and members of rural social movements ( women, young people and men) will participate to defend the true identity and meaning of agroecology.

Miguel A Altieri

Building sustainable agriculture and food systems is vital for enhancing food security and nutrition. New approaches which facilitate the effective access and use of existing technologies are needed. The following five steps illustrate regulations, instruments and processes which lead to the creation of enabling environments for development and implementation of agroecology approaches and practices. These five steps are based on a people centred holistic innovative approach which aims for the involvement of various stakeholders inducing food security and nutrition.

1- Reorient food and agricultural policies to encourage diversity, nutrition, sustainability and affordability, rather than only prioritising a small number of staple crops. By re-targeting subsidies, research and extensions programs, investing in research,  ensuring that prices of foods reflects their true costs, using dietary guidelines and safeguarding access to (diverse) seeds.

2 - Use markets to support diversity in production and consumption by allowing informal markets to thrive, using procurement, and investing in innovative agri-food SMEs that promote diversity.

3 - Promote and maintain local crop varieties, animal breeds and under-utilised crops through developing markets for them, adjusting extension services, fostering synergies between scientific and local knowledge and investing in Open Source Seed Systems.

4 - Nurture the biocultural heritage and traditional knowledge which underpin much of the world’s remaining agricultural biodiversity. By protecting the rights of women, including local communities and the creation of biocultural heritage.

5 - Increase awareness and catalyse change through innovative multi-stakeholder approaches like food labs - that explicitly bring in the voices and perceptions of farmers and consumers, including women and youth – as well as dissemination of information of diverse diets through the media.

Promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems entails a gradual but definitive shift from industrial agriculture – which relies on monocultures and an unsustainably small number of crops, crop varieties and animal breeds – to diversified sustainable farming systems. In short, this means raising awareness and stimulating demand for diverse and healthy foods as well as the expansion of markets for diverse crops and animals products, both at the national and local scale. Meanwhile, policies, subsidies, research and extension programmes need to be re-aligned to support diverse food production and consumption. Finally, the cultural underpinnings of diverse food systems need to be protected and strengthened.  In conclusion, multi-stakeholder approaches can help to facilitate access and use of existing technologies, particularly by using and building upon citizen’s knowledge and practices to re-shape food systems. 

Please refer to this publication for a more elaborate explanation of the necessity for the diversification of food systems:  https://hivos.org/sites/default/files/web_nourishingdiversity_briefing_f...

To Introduce and mainatain sustainable agricultural practice especially in the under developed countries and specifically Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), the need to deploy simple technology based practice in agriculture is necessary. Because there are issues with involving youth in agriculture, simply because youth due to globalisation feel the current practice is not apealing to them. The current agricultural practice is so rudiment and uncivilised approach to farming thereby making farming discouraging to the youth.

Fast deployable technologies like drip irrigation system, hydroponics, the use of UAV, Simple mechanised farm tools, improved seed varieties, solar and wind energy, food processing machines for adding value, water conservation techniques, Smart marketing systems need to be promoted to get youth into sustainable Agriculture system that is profitable and ensure sustainability.

Es necesario reconocer a nivel mundial el protagonismo de las familias campesinas que alimentan en gran parte y de una forma sostenible a la humanidad, a partir de un modo de vida digno, necesario y dotado de un vínculo especial con la naturaleza. Las políticas públicas que apoyen la resiliencia socioecológica de la agricultura familiar y que faciliten el acceso a la tierra y al agua, la mejora de los medios de vida de las comunidades campesinas, la contextualización de tecnologías apropiadas para el uso de los recursos localmente disponibles, etc., sustentarán una producción agropecuaria sobre bases agroecológicas y la seguridad y soberanía alimentaria de un territorio o de un país.

Más allá de la implementación de prácticas agroecológicas y la materialización de sus principios, para que la agroecología se convierta en una realidad palpable a mayor escala en fincas familiares, las familias campesinas deben sentirse estimuladas hacia el diseño y manejo agroecológicos de sus sistemas desde todos los puntos de vista. Para ello necesita de la estimación y valorización general, además de políticas públicas que la fomenten, pues sus características como forma de vida y unidad socioeconómica multifuncional no solo la dotan de una gran capacidad de adaptación y de innovación ante nuevas circunstancias socioculturales y ecológicas, sino además que le adjudican una alta importancia para la seguridad y soberanía de una nación.

En la actualidad existen infinidad de intentos, acciones y proyectos enfocados en lograr hacer una agricultura más acorde con la naturaleza y con la opinión pública generalizada en apoyo de alimentos más sanos y de una mayor cantidad de estos; a ello contribuiría la transición agroecológica de la agricultura campesina. Además, apoyaría la mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático y la resiliencia socioecológica de las fincas familiares. Las fincas campesinas deben recibir mayor apoyo estatal para que viabilicen producciones a mayor escala sobre bases agroecológicas, e incrementen los niveles de biodiversidad y eficiencia, garantizando la inocuidad y la calidad de los alimentos, sin pérdidas por ineficiencia en el beneficio, conservación, empaque y transportación de los mismos, y tratando en lo posible disminuir la cadena de intermediarios en su comercialización, para que lleguen más frescos y asequibles económicamente al consumidor final.

Qué reglamentos y normas, qué instrumentos, procesos y mecanismos de gobernanza se necesitan para crear un entorno propicio para el desarrollo e implementación de la agroecología familiar, en nuestro criterio entre otros elementos se deben tener en cuenta lo siguiente:

• Reevaluar políticas que posibiliten créditos blandos y con bajas tasas de interés para las familias campesinas.
• Establecer mecanismos preferenciales de financiamiento para los agricultores familiares, facilitándoles la adquisición de medios de producción y tecnologías apropiadas.
• Implementar un Seguro Agrícola a la AF para una mayor cobertura frente a los riesgos (climáticos, de mercado, etc.).
• Propiciar el acceso a los servicios de asistencia técnica y de extensión rural, promoviendo además una interacción eficaz entre el conocimiento tácito de los agricultores y el conocimiento, tanto empírico como científico, de los mediadores, de forma que se complementen.
• Promover y ejecutar las actividades y tecnologías que generan más valor agregado a las producciones familiares, de forma tal que se amplíe el porta folio de productos que estas puedan ofertar en el mercado local, se amplíen las etapas de los procesos de producción dentro de sus fincas y la capacidad productiva, a la vez que generen un autoempleo familiar y comunitario más eficiente.
• Adecuar los programas, leyes y capacidades que se formen sobre la base de la resiliencia socioecológica de la finca familiar, que afiancen la independencia del mercado externo a sus agroecosistemas y la capacidad de innovación y validación de tecnologías agroecológicas apropiadas para cada contexto.
• Priorizar los circuitos cortos que disminuyan las distancias físicas y los costos de transacción, educando a la sociedad en general para el consumo solidario y responsable, sobre la base de una cultura alimentaria acorde a los gustos y a la salud.
• Definir políticas de precios diferenciados, acorde a los costos de producción familiar.
• Promover actividades y acciones para la certificación popular de las producciones de alimentos provenientes de la AF.
• Incentivar la participación de los jóvenes en la agricultura con apoyo para el acceso de recursos productivos y con un enfoque integral a sus necesidades que los motiven a la vida familiar en el campo.
• Mejorar la infraestructura y los servicios en el entorno rural que favorezcan los medios de vida de las familias campesinas, como el acceso al agua, mejoras del estado constructivo de sus viviendas, de vías de acceso y transporte público, comunicaciones y acceso a las tecnologías de la información, actividades recreativas, entre otras, que garanticen niveles de calidad de vida similares e incluso superiores a aquellos de las poblaciones urbanas.
• Empoderar a la mujer campesina, facilitando su intervención en la toma de decisiones y su participación equitativa.
• Involucrar a la AF, no solamente con prácticas productivas de alimentos, sino también en otras actividades no agrícolas que afiancen las relaciones campo-ciudad y con otros actores de la sociedad, como la educación agroecológica, el turismo rural y el desarrollo de mini-industrias.

--

Leidy Casimiro Rodríguez

Ph.D. Agroecología

Universidad de Sancti Spíritus

Cuba

My contribution takes an over-view that encompasses selected macro-issues for use of natural resources – particularly water - within the prevailing agro-environment (when compared to the more specific focus of agro-ecological processes, for example, that may impact upon agricultural production). Whatever the linguistic semantics of understanding, however, it is people who take control and apply their management skills and understanding to approach; and this comes down to experience of what may best apply within their local agro-production systems.

Just on six years back working from an office in Cairo we put together a report that explored some of the key issues that impacted upon more efficient use of natural resources in support of agro-production and dependent communities/people across the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (i.e. MENA countries). This helped with thinking at the time and, importantly, it helped raise awareness; awareness of some of the fundamental issues that come within the current FSN debate. A summary from the report is attached whereby findings may assist with current HPLE consultations.

The result of our collaboration was the report ‘Middle East & North Africa: Improving Resource Use Efficiency in Primary Production with Emphasis upon Water’. The report makes reference to the dynamics of populations, food production, security and more. Clearly, six years on much has happened in the region and not least the civil wars, social upheaval and turmoil that have been and remain detrimental to many communities in the MENA countries. And not simply the loss/destruction of infrastructure and agricultural productivity, but the loss of skills, experience and knowledge as communities and people have become dispersed and lost to the region.

There is now better understanding of changing environmental parameters and the impact that this is likely to have (notwithstanding current international decision-making that seems to have remained as devisive as ever - what’s wrong with investing in those essential insurance policies now – before we really need them; insurance impacts just about everything else we do in life).

The MENA countries are not unique given their paucity of natural resources for agriculture, but this is not an impoverished part of the world where geography, mineral resources, civil institutions, etc. and the tenacity, experience, capabilities and knowledge of regional people are concerned. It was for reasons such as these that the authors of the report tentatively suggested - in their findings - that more efficient use of resources could be made with an approach that embraced ‘business as usual plus’. Start with small beginnings and build upon achievements made.

Scientists, engineers, planners and other looking in from the outside tend to become lost within the agro-ecological, agro-environmental and agro-production systems that impact local people. And, I say that, at the archetypical and well-meaning technician – the ‘five minutes - back of the envelop’ advisor (as one highly experienced CTA in Niger once addressed me during a technical b/stopping mission – I have never forgotten it – but he had at least said it to my face – a plus; and, by default, challenged the mission to do more).

Ultimately, our earlier exploration and reporting was all about: ‘people and their livelihoods’, and not simply ‘crop production’ or the ‘productivity of water’. This applies to people everywhere – and one reason for sharing the MENA report. The challenge then, and now, becomes one prioritizing the people/communities involved and adapting, following and implementing ideas, investments and more within the socio-economic systems that prevail; carrying the local people with you. Imposition from outside is always a difficult road to follow.

Peter Steele

Agricultural Engineer

Melbourne

23 November 2017

Estimados, propongo incluir la AGROFORESTERIA DINAMICA como un metodo de agroecología que imita los procecos de succesion de la naturaleza y que incluye especies perennes, entre ellos una cierta cantidad de especies perennes locales. Esto aumenta la resiliencia del sistema productivo. Si es deseado podría aportar con un pequeño texto. Esperando vuestro aviso me despido con saludos, Noemi Stadler-Kaulich de MOLLESNEJTA-Centro de Agroforesteria Andina en el Depto Cochabamba, Bolivia