Eco new farmers. Module 1 - Introduction to organic farming. Section 5 Organic farming for family farms

Transcription

1 Eco new farmers Module 1 - Introduction to organic farming Section 5 Organic farming for family farms

2 Module 1- Introduction to Organic Farming Section 5 - Organic Farming for Family Farms 1. Introduction In this section you will learn about the meaning and the importance of family farms and how family farmers can benefit from organic farming. 2. Family farming Family farms are small farms that ensure agricultural and forestry production, as well as fishing and grazing, managed and operated by a family that mostly depends on unpaid family labour, both women and men (Figure 1). The family and the farm are linked, co-evolve and combine economic, environmental, social and cultural functions (FAO, 2013) Fig. 1. Family farms - small farms managed by a family and reliant on family labour Recently, family farming has become a central element in the public debate over its fundamental role in rural areas. Their economic, environmental, social and cultural importance led the United Nations to declare 2014 the International Year of Family Farming with the main aim, among others, to strengthen their role in sustainable food production. Family farming is a historic reality that repeats itself in time and space. If we take a tour around the world, we will find successful examples where family farming goes hand in hand with organic

3 farming, with a direct impact on the increase in farm and household income. For example, organic cotton production in West Africa, essential oils produced in organic mode in Bhutan, traditional production systems in the Southern Caucasus and the High-Andean zones, family farmers associated with the Asociacion Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños (ANAP) in Cuba, the integrated organic farming systems of Sub-Saharan countries, tourism systems in organic farming in the Highlands of Montenegro, the organic producer cooperatives in the Austrian Tyrol, the traditional community system 'teikei' in Japan and many others (Figure 2) (Ávila, 2012; Auerbach et al., 2013; Batello et al., 2010; Diarra, 2012; Jordan and Hisano, 2011; Krug, 2012; von Dach et al., 2013). Fig. 2. Successful examples where family farming goes hand in hand with organic farming In developing and developed countries family farming is the predominant form of agriculture in the food production sector. Family farms are hugely diverse in terms of cultivated area, equipment used and type of production (Figure 3). They exist in all ecosystems, from arid grazing lands and urban hinterlands to the large fertile agricultural plains. Fig. 3. Family farms are diverse: from the rice fields in China to the olive production in the Mediterranean countries

4 2.1. Some data about family farms From the existing 570 million farms in the World, over 500 million are family farms (88%). Most of these farms are small - more than 475 million farms have less than 2 hectares (Lowder et al., 2014). It is estimated that 70% of the world's food is produced by family farms and that 40% of families in the world depend on the family farm as a way of life (FAO, 2014). In Europe, from the 12 million farms, 97% are family farms representing 68% of the utilized rural area and 26% of the rural population. The agricultural sector is rooted overwhelmingly in family farms. In fact, in Portugal, Spain and Italy, more than 90% of the holdings are family farms that use permanent and predominantly labour belonging to the household. These farms occupy above 67% of the utilized agricultural area, which reveals their impact at local and national economies. Family farms pass from generation to generation keeping a set of traditions and cultural values (Figure 4) that should be preserved and enhanced. Fig. 4. Traditional farming systems in Portugal 2.2. What comes with family farming Family farming guarantees food. Family farming plays a key role in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Small farms are often more productive and sustainable by unit of land and in terms of energy consumption. It is also known that family farms generate welfare, contributing to the stabilization of people settled in rural areas, to the preservation of historical cultural values and the generation of income and consumption.

5 2.5. The success of organic farming for family farmers Family farms can reach new heights of success and innovation through organic farming because it allows to: optimize nutrient cycling through the management of animals and plants in space and time (through rotations, consociations or cover crops); enhance soil activity and manage organic matter; use local seeds and varieties and promote farm biodiversity; maintain close relationships with the market based on the consumer proximity; reduce pesticides and fertilizers inputs; provide healthy and nutritious food. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Fig. 5. Agricultural practices that might benefit family farms: (a) consociations, (b) cover crops, (c) soil activity and organic matter improvement, (d) use of local seeds and varieties, (e) healthy and nutritious food. 3. Summary With Organic Farming, the family farm can reach new heights of success and innovation. organic farming guarantees food, generates welfare, creates jobs and brings innovation to family famers; simultaneously, family farmers ensure that traditions are kept alive; organic smallholders strengthen social structures, develop innovative networks, promote entrepreneurship and contribute to successful rural communities. Organic farming provides solutions to many challenges that are faced by family and smallholder farmers.