International Fund for Agriculture Development President Kanayo Nwanze today said policymakers must support programmes that enable small farmers to link up with markets.
"Policymakers must support programmes that enable smallholder and family farmers to invest in their businesses, link to markets and overcome poverty and vulnerability," he said.
He was speaking to delegates at the Asia Pacific Consultation on the role of family farming and Achieving Zero Hunger Challenge by 2025. The four-day conference, being held by the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here, began today.
Production improved when small farmers were connected to markets, he noted. He cited an IFAD supported project in Maharashtra, which linked an agri-business firm, the state government and the local farmers, to buttress his point.
"Through a combination of capacity building, subsidies for seed and equipment and support for processing and packaging, local farmers are supplying baby corn to major supermarket chains in the United Kingdom."
Not only does this project benefit some 2.86 lakh households, the firm was improving its market value as a supplier of high quality produce.
"When we help family farmers invest in their businesses and access markets, everyone can win," Nwanze said.
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister Agri S S Krishnamoorthy speaking about the progress made by the state in micro- irrigation, precision farming and rice intensification, said the agriculture share in GDP had, however, declined to 21 per cent from 34.8 per cent.
"We have to show the way for the well being of farmers through family and organic farming with hi-end technologies," he said, adding, family farms should become climate smart and nutrition sensitive as well.
Bhutan Minister for Agriculture Yeshey Dorji said that in order to enhance the livelihood of the rural communities, his country's government had initiated 'Farm 2 School (F2S)' programme.
"We link farmers groups to schools and institutions which serve as an easy market for our farmers.
Investment in agriculture in developing countries should be strengthened "to achieve our goal of human well being and happiness," he added.
Nepal Agriculture Minister Hari Prasad Parajuli said food sovereignty has been incorporated in his country's interim constitution.
"Cooperative model of integrated farming can be one of the approaches to increase small producers' ability and access to resources, technology and market."
Noted scientist Professor M S Swaminathan said that food and nutrition security should be non-negotiable.
"Making access to food a legal right and providing family farmers with adequate scientific support would help move towards the goal," he said.
