Executive Summary 1. Introduction on small farms 2. The Green Revolution 3. Agro-ecology 4. Policy implications.

Executive SummaryExecutive Summary

1.1. Introduction on small farmsIntroduction on small farms

2.2. The Green RevolutionThe Green Revolution

3.3. Agro-ecologyAgro-ecology

4.4. Policy implicationsPolicy implications

1. Introduction1. Introduction

- Small farms in the world

- Who are small farmers?

- Advantages and disadvantages of small farming

Small Farms in the WorldSmall Farms in the World 3 billion rural people in developing world3 billion rural people in developing world More than 2/3 reside on small farmsMore than 2/3 reside on small farms In the world: nearly 500 million small farmsIn the world: nearly 500 million small farms

Today 1.2 billion people suffer hungerToday 1.2 billion people suffer hunger 50% of them are small farmers50% of them are small farmers

• small farmers: one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the developing world

Small Farms in the World (2)Small Farms in the World (2) Trend in developing countries: increasing Trend in developing countries: increasing

fragmentation of land & decreasing average fragmentation of land & decreasing average farm sizefarm size

Who are small farmersWho are small farmers??

Lack of a sole definition: limited resources; farm Lack of a sole definition: limited resources; farm size; low technology; dependence on family size; low technology; dependence on family labour; subsistence orientedlabour; subsistence oriented

→ Most common approach: less than Most common approach: less than 2 hectares 2 hectares of of owned or rented landowned or rented land

Small farms control small share of total Small farms control small share of total agricultural land (inequitable land distribution)agricultural land (inequitable land distribution)

BUTBUT They produce the majority of the food that is They produce the majority of the food that is

consumed locallyconsumed locally

Source: ETC group, 2009

Advantages of small farmingAdvantages of small farming

Local embeddednessLocal embeddedness Efficient landuseEfficient landuse Local knowledgeLocal knowledge No need for supervision of hired No need for supervision of hired

labourerslabourers Investements in the local economyInvestements in the local economy No need to buy expensive food on the No need to buy expensive food on the

marketmarket BUT: no scale effects, semiproletariatBUT: no scale effects, semiproletariat

Advantages of big farmingAdvantages of big farming

Scale advantagesScale advantages Skilled labourSkilled labour Market and technologic knowledgeMarket and technologic knowledge Finance and capitalFinance and capital Links with supermarketsLinks with supermarkets Lower risk if commodity prices fallLower risk if commodity prices fall BUT: no optimal allocation of labourBUT: no optimal allocation of labour

2. The Green Revolution2. The Green Revolution

- What?

- Green Revolution in Asia

- Green Revolution in Africa?

Green RevolutionGreen Revolution

Public subsidies of:Public subsidies of: IrrigationIrrigation MechanisationMechanisation Pesticides and herbicidesPesticides and herbicides Hybrid seeds + GMO’sHybrid seeds + GMO’s FertilizersFertilizers

Advantages of GR in AsiaAdvantages of GR in Asia

Increased production (good for rural Increased production (good for rural poor)poor)

Falling prices (good for urban poor)Falling prices (good for urban poor)

Nature Reviews Genetics Nature Reviews Genetics 22, 815-822 (October 2001), 815-822 (October 2001)

Disadvantages of GR in AsiaDisadvantages of GR in Asia

Dependence to input (eg. seed producers)Dependence to input (eg. seed producers) Dependence to market (eg. world prices)Dependence to market (eg. world prices) Losing land if not able to pay loan (India)Losing land if not able to pay loan (India) Destruction of traditional societyDestruction of traditional society Inequality (eg. when uneven land Inequality (eg. when uneven land

distribution)distribution) Health problems (eg. Roundup Paraguay)Health problems (eg. Roundup Paraguay) Access to waterAccess to water Ecological problems (water table, erosion)Ecological problems (water table, erosion)

GR in Africa: AGRAGR in Africa: AGRA

1)1) Seeds Program (hybrids)Seeds Program (hybrids)

2)2) Soil Health Program (water, nutrients and Soil Health Program (water, nutrients and fertilizers)fertilizers)

3)3) Market Access (storage, warehouses)Market Access (storage, warehouses)

4)4) Policy and Partnerships ProgramPolicy and Partnerships Program

5)5) Innovative Finance (low intrest loans)Innovative Finance (low intrest loans)

To benifit smallholder farms and womenTo benifit smallholder farms and women

SWOT of GR in AfricaSWOT of GR in Africa

StrenghtsStrenghts

Climate (warm and humid)Climate (warm and humid)

Diverse & rich ecosystemsDiverse & rich ecosystems

60% ag. ground not in use60% ag. ground not in use

Small farmsSmall farms

WeaknessesWeaknesses

Thin soilsThin soils

InfrastructureInfrastructure

Distance to markets & portsDistance to markets & ports

EducationEducation

OpportunitiesOpportunities

Small scale farmingSmall scale farming

Organic farmingOrganic farming

South-South cooperationSouth-South cooperation

ProtectionismProtectionism

ThreatsThreats

Climate changeClimate change

CorruptionCorruption

WTO rulesWTO rules

EPA’sEPA’s

3. 3. Agro-ecologyAgro-ecology

- Why and what?

- Five Advantages of agro-ecology

- Example: Malawi

- Three positive consequences

Agro-ecologyAgro-ecology Agriculture must not compromise its Agriculture must not compromise its

ability to satisfy future needs. ability to satisfy future needs. • The loss ofThe loss of biodiversity, biodiversity, • unsustainable use of water, and unsustainable use of water, and • pollution of soils and water pollution of soils and water

ClimateClimate change:change:• more frequent and extreme weather more frequent and extreme weather

events: droughtsevents: droughts, , floods, less predictable floods, less predictable rainfallrainfall

• severe impact ability ofsevere impact ability of certain regions certain regions and communities to feed themselvesand communities to feed themselves

Transition to AgroecologyTransition to Agroecology Agroecology: Agroecology:

• low-carbon,low-carbon, resource-preservingresource-preserving• benefits the poorest farmersbenefits the poorest farmers

The core principles of agroecology includeThe core principles of agroecology include• recycling nutrients and energy external inputs;recycling nutrients and energy external inputs;

• integrating crops and livestock;integrating crops and livestock;

• diversification: species and genetic resources;diversification: species and genetic resources;

• ecosystem focus: interactions individual ecosystem focus: interactions individual species.species.

Agro-ecology and the right to Agro-ecology and the right to foodfood

Annual report submitted Annual report submitted the Special the Special Rapporteur on the right to Rapporteur on the right to food, food, Olivier De Schutter Olivier De Schutter to the Human Rights to the Human Rights Council United Nations Council United Nations 20 December 201020 December 2010

Advantages of Agro-ecologyAdvantages of Agro-ecology

A. Availability: increase A. Availability: increase productivityproductivity at at field levelfield level

B. Accessibility: B. Accessibility: reduction ruralreduction rural povertypoverty

C. Adequacy: contribution to C. Adequacy: contribution to improving improving nutritionnutrition

D. Sustainability: contribution to adapting D. Sustainability: contribution to adapting to to climate changeclimate change

E. Farmer participation: dissemination of E. Farmer participation: dissemination of best practicesbest practices

Agro-ecology raises productivity at field Agro-ecology raises productivity at field level:level:

Jules Pretty et al., Jules Pretty et al., 20062006

286 recent sustainable agriculture projects 286 recent sustainable agriculture projects 3 % of the cultivated area in developing 3 % of the cultivated area in developing

countriescountries

Increased productivity on 12.6 millions Increased productivity on 12.6 millions farms,farms,

global average of 79 per cent global average of 79 per cent 116 % increase for all African projects and116 % increase for all African projects and 128 % for projects in East Africa128 % for projects in East Africa

B. Accessibility: agroecology reduces B. Accessibility: agroecology reduces rural povertyrural poverty

Reduction farmers’ reliance on external inputs Reduction farmers’ reliance on external inputs and state subsidies and improve independence and state subsidies and improve independence local retailers, moneylenderslocal retailers, moneylenders

create employment on farms: create employment on farms: optimal allocation optimal allocation of labourof labour

stimulate rural non farm economy (demand stimulate rural non farm economy (demand driven growth linkages): small farmers more likely driven growth linkages): small farmers more likely to spend to spend income locallyincome locally

push down prices of staple foods: advantage for push down prices of staple foods: advantage for net food buyersnet food buyers

On-farm fertility generation: On-farm fertility generation: • Livestock manure, green manures, fertilizer Livestock manure, green manures, fertilizer

factory in the fieldsfactory in the fields::

B. Accessibility: agroecology reduces rural povertyB. Accessibility: agroecology reduces rural poverty

B. Accessibility: agroecology reduces B. Accessibility: agroecology reduces rural povertyrural poverty

Reduction farmers’ reliance on external inputs Reduction farmers’ reliance on external inputs and state subsidies and improve independence and state subsidies and improve independence local retailers, moneylenderslocal retailers, moneylenders

create employment on farms: create employment on farms: optimaloptimalallocation of labourallocation of labour

stimulate rural non farm economy (demand stimulate rural non farm economy (demand driven growth linkages): small farmers more likely driven growth linkages): small farmers more likely to spend to spend income locallyincome locally

push down prices of staple foods: advantage for push down prices of staple foods: advantage for net food buyersnet food buyers

On-farm fertility generation: On-farm fertility generation: • Livestock manure, green manures, fertilizer Livestock manure, green manures, fertilizer

factory in the fieldsfactory in the fields::

C. Adequacy: agroecology contributes C. Adequacy: agroecology contributes to improving nutrition to improving nutrition

In the past, Green Revolution In the past, Green Revolution diversified cropping diversified cropping systems to simplified cereal-based systems systems to simplified cereal-based systems micronutrient malnutrition in many developing micronutrient malnutrition in many developing countries. countries. • Case: Boost cereal crops: Wheat and maize are Case: Boost cereal crops: Wheat and maize are

mainly sources of carbohydrates: they contain mainly sources of carbohydrates: they contain relatively little protein, relatively little protein,

need for more diverse agroecosystems need for more diverse agroecosystems a more a more diversified nutrient output of the farming systems.diversified nutrient output of the farming systems.

agroecological principles: indigenous fruits contribute agroecological principles: indigenous fruits contribute on average about 42 per cent of the natural food-on average about 42 per cent of the natural food-basket S-Africa basket S-Africa • source of vitamins and other micronutrients, source of vitamins and other micronutrients, • sustenance during lean seasons. sustenance during lean seasons.

D. Sustainability: agroecology D. Sustainability: agroecology contributes to adapting to climate contributes to adapting to climate

changechange Climate Change: more severe droughts and Climate Change: more severe droughts and

floods can be expected in the futurefloods can be expected in the future• physical properties of soils physical properties of soils on organic farms on organic farms

improved the drought resistance of cropsimproved the drought resistance of crops E.g. E.g. improved soil filtration (agroforestry) improved soil filtration (agroforestry)

Global warming: invasion of new pests, Global warming: invasion of new pests, weeds and diseases:weeds and diseases:• cultivar mixtures -> genetic diversity in the cultivar mixtures -> genetic diversity in the

fields in order to improve crop resistance to fields in order to improve crop resistance to diseasesdiseases

Rice: Yunnan Province in China: planted mixtures with Rice: Yunnan Province in China: planted mixtures with resistant varieties, resistant varieties,

• yields improved by 89 %yields improved by 89 %• blast disease was 94 % less severeblast disease was 94 % less severe Exit monoculture, exit fungicidal spraysExit monoculture, exit fungicidal sprays

D. Sustainability: agroecology contributes to D. Sustainability: agroecology contributes to adapting to climate change adapting to climate change

Climate change: Erosion: Climate change: Erosion: Study on 180 communities of smallholders Study on 180 communities of smallholders

Nicaragua, simple agroecological methodsNicaragua, simple agroecological methods Agroecological plots vs. convential Agroecological plots vs. convential

farmsfarms• lost 18 % less arable land to landslides lost 18 % less arable land to landslides • 69 per cent less gully erosion69 per cent less gully erosion• average 40 per cent more topsoil average 40 per cent more topsoil • higher field moisture higher field moisture

D. Sustainability: agroecology contributes to D. Sustainability: agroecology contributes to adapting to climate changeadapting to climate change

Mitigating climate change:Mitigating climate change:• Increasing carbon sinks in soil organic Increasing carbon sinks in soil organic

matter, and above)ground biomassmatter, and above)ground biomass• Reducing direct and indirect energy use Reducing direct and indirect energy use

delinking from the reliance on fossil energy delinking from the reliance on fossil energy (oil and gas)(oil and gas)

Large-scale studies from Large-scale studies from Indonesia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh recorded:Vietnam and Bangladesh recorded:• 35 to 92 per cent reduction in insecticide 35 to 92 per cent reduction in insecticide

use in rice, use in rice, • 34 to 66 per cent reduction in pesticide use34 to 66 per cent reduction in pesticide use• combined with 4 to 14 per cent better yields combined with 4 to 14 per cent better yields

recorded in cotton productionrecorded in cotton production

E. Farmer participation: an asset for the E. Farmer participation: an asset for the dissemination of best practices dissemination of best practices

Farmer field Farmer field schools: empoweringschools: empowering• helping farmers to organize themselves helping farmers to organize themselves

betterbetter• stimulating continued learning. stimulating continued learning.

The demonstration of fields managed by The demonstration of fields managed by model farmers, which attracts visits by other model farmers, which attracts visits by other farmers during field days farmers during field days

Partnerships with national research systemsPartnerships with national research systems technical advisers and coordinators: technical advisers and coordinators:

workshopsworkshops

Malawi: Subsidy to sustainabilityMalawi: Subsidy to sustainability food crisis due to drought in 2004-2005food crisis due to drought in 2004-2005   fertilizer subsidy programme for maize fertilizer subsidy programme for maize

production in 2005-2006 production in 2005-2006 Succes Succes 2008: Malawi exports more than one 2008: Malawi exports more than one

million metric tonnes of maizemillion metric tonnes of maize   medium-term situation: fertilizermedium-term situation: fertilizer subsidies subsidies

may have to be scaled back or withdrawn.may have to be scaled back or withdrawn.

Malawi: Subsidy to sustainabilityMalawi: Subsidy to sustainability Solution: agroforestry systems: nitrogen-fixing Solution: agroforestry systems: nitrogen-fixing

treestreesFaidherbia albida, a nitrogen-fixing acacia Faidherbia albida, a nitrogen-fixing acacia species: species: unfertilized maize yields in the vicinity of unfertilized maize yields in the vicinity of Faidherbia trees averaged 4.1 t/ha, compared to Faidherbia trees averaged 4.1 t/ha, compared to 1.3 t/ha nearby,1.3 t/ha nearby,

Now: extension of the programme to 40 per cent Now: extension of the programme to 40 per cent of Malawi’s districts, benefiting 1.3 million of the of Malawi’s districts, benefiting 1.3 million of the poorest people. poorest people.

Increased yields from 1 t/ha to 2–3 t/ha, Increased yields from 1 t/ha to 2–3 t/ha, But: with a quarter-dose of mineral fertilizer, But: with a quarter-dose of mineral fertilizer,

maize yields may surpass 4 t/ha. maize yields may surpass 4 t/ha.

Why it’s necessary to support Why it’s necessary to support smallholders?smallholders?

Whith an agroecology perspective, Whith an agroecology perspective, small farmers can ensure:small farmers can ensure:

a.a. FOOD SECURITYFOOD SECURITY

b.b. ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATIONENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION

c.c. POVERTY REDUCTIONPOVERTY REDUCTION

a. FOOD SECURITYa. FOOD SECURITY International agribusiness enterprises International agribusiness enterprises

(dominant players in agricultural sector): profit-(dominant players in agricultural sector): profit-oriented and export vocationoriented and export vocation

Small farmersSmall farmers: food production vocation: food production vocation

THREATS FOR FOOD SECURITY:- Rising food prices- Arable land subtracted to

agriculture (agrofuels; cereals for animal feed)

- Export crops- Farmers reliance on external

inputs

SMALL FARMERS CONTRIBUTIONS:

- Higher yields - Integrated farming

systems: high variety of food (macro & micro nutrients)

b. ENVIRONMENTb. ENVIRONMENTPRESERVATIONPRESERVATION

THREATS:THREATS:- Soil erosion and Soil erosion and

contaminationcontamination- Water pollutionWater pollution- Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity- DeforestationDeforestation- Climate changeClimate change

SMALL FARMERS CONTRIBUTIONS:

- Sustainable agriculture, integrated crops, ...

- Concervative practices (soil, water)

- Low-carbon agriculture

- Resource-preserving

c. POVERTY c. POVERTY REDUCTIONREDUCTION

Strong association between smallholder Strong association between smallholder development and poverty reduction (in development and poverty reduction (in Africa strongly than elsewhere):Africa strongly than elsewhere):- raise farm raise farm incomesincomes- create create employmentemployment on farms: on farms: optimaloptimal

allocation of labourallocation of labour- stimulate rural non farm economy stimulate rural non farm economy

((demand driven growth linkagesdemand driven growth linkages): small ): small farmers more likely to spend farmers more likely to spend income locallyincome locally

- push down push down pricesprices of staple foods: of staple foods: advantage for net food buyersadvantage for net food buyers

4. Policy implications4. Policy implications

-Market failures

- Policy interventions

- Obstacles

- Opportunities

INSTITUTIONAL and MARKET INSTITUTIONAL and MARKET FAILURESFAILURES

- Lack of assets (also as collateral)Lack of assets (also as collateral)- Information asymetriesInformation asymetries- Coordination challenges (economies of scale)Coordination challenges (economies of scale)- Vulnerability to climate and market riskVulnerability to climate and market risk- ........

Consequences: discriminatory and inefficient outcomesConsequences: discriminatory and inefficient outcomes

Need for Need for policy intervention policy intervention to correct mkt failures:to correct mkt failures:• Win-win solution for efficiency and equityWin-win solution for efficiency and equity• Adjusted to local context and stage of developmentAdjusted to local context and stage of development

Policy interventionsPolicy interventions Supporting access to Supporting access to landland,, water water

and and seedsseeds

Prioritising Prioritising public goods public goods (instead of (instead of private goods):private goods):

- rural infrastructures: roads, rural infrastructures: roads, electricity, information and electricity, information and communication technologiescommunication technologies

- extension servicesextension services- storage facilitiesstorage facilities- access to credit and insurance against access to credit and insurance against

risksrisks

Policy interventions (2)Policy interventions (2) Investing in Investing in knowledgeknowledge: :

- educationeducation- reoriented agricultural reoriented agricultural extension and extension and

researchresearch- horizontal dissemination of knowledgehorizontal dissemination of knowledge

Strengthening Strengthening social organisations:social organisations:- support to farmer's organizations and support to farmer's organizations and

cooperativescooperatives

• Achieving gender empowerment:- targeted policies- access to assets, inputs, credit

Policy interventions (3) Policy interventions (3)

• Organizing markets:- improved access to local markets- adding value to raw products: packaging,

processing, marketing (ex. cooperatives)- implement food soveraignity (protect farmers

from volatile prices and the dumping)- public procurement systems- support farm-to city direct marketing and

farmers’ markets

Some obstacles to policy Some obstacles to policy implementation:implementation:

Smallholders’ collective action Smallholders’ collective action problems:problems:- Poverty: short time horizons, risk aversePoverty: short time horizons, risk averse- Limited access to communicationLimited access to communication- Spatial dispersion and large numbers of Spatial dispersion and large numbers of

farmersfarmers Greatest lobbying power of urban Greatest lobbying power of urban

population and rural élitespopulation and rural élites Political will of governmentsPolitical will of governments

Opportunities to policy Opportunities to policy implementation:implementation:

Strenghtening of farmers’ associationsStrenghtening of farmers’ associations Participatory methods in policy makingParticipatory methods in policy making Decentralisation (but problematic funding)Decentralisation (but problematic funding) Partnership public-private-NGOsPartnership public-private-NGOs

Thank youThank you

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