Sustainable Food Systems: Scaling Up Agroecology and Supporting Local Markets

Transcription

1 The 4 African Organic Conference ECOLOGICAL AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE STRATEGIES FOR VIABLE CONTINENTAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE AFRICAN UNION'S AGENDA 2063 DAKAR, SÉNÉGAL November 5-8, 2018 Sustainable Food Systems: Scaling Up Agroecology and Supporting Local Markets Dr. Allison Marie Loconto Visiting Expert Sustainable Trade and Innovation Chargée de recherche, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, France) Plant Production and Protection Division Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department FAO HQ Rome Contact: allison.loconto@fao.org

2 Outline I. FAO multi stakeholder consultation on agroecology ( ) II. Follow up: FAO s Scaling Up Initiative III. One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme

3 I) FAO multistakeholder consultation on agroecology ( )

4 International and regional multistakeholder Seminars 2014 : International Seminar «Agroecology for food security and nutrition» Rome : A series of 7 regional seminars 2018: 2 nd International Seminar «Scaling up agroecology to achieve the SDGs» Rome Regional FAO multistakeholder seminars on agroecology

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6 Agroecology: multiple and evolving definitions The application of ecological science to the study, design and management of sustainable agriculture (Altieri 1995) The ecology of the food system (Francis et al., 2003) A science, a social movement and a practice (Wezel et al., 2009) From a scientific and technical perspective, agroecology applies ecological concepts and principles to food and farming systems, focusing on the interactions between microorganisms, plants, animals, humans and the environment, to foster sustainable agriculture development in order to ensure food security and nutrition for all, now and in the future. Today s more transformative visions of agroecology integrate transdisciplinary knowledge, farmers practices and social movements while recognizing their mutual interdependence (High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) of the Committee on World Food Security, 2016) FAO website: more than 30 definitions of agroecology adopted by Governments, academia, organizations

7 Agroecology: Common points Despite the diversity of situations observed in the regions, successful initiatives in agroecology share a number of common points (FAO, 2018):» The diversification of production systems and products in space and time. This diversification favours ecosystem services, boosting efficiency in the use of natural resources (soil, air, sun, and water) through the synergy of components, natural recycling of elements and leads to greater resilience of agroecosystems» Contextualization of approaches valuing local ecosystems and food heritage and culture» Particular attention to human and social values and rights» Co innovation between farmers and researchers through, inter alia, participatory research systems that enable the production of knowledge adapted to farmers real needs and contexts» The importance of knowledge sharing among farmers with particular attention to the role of women, which allows for greater autonomy and adaptive capacity of farmers» A territorial and decentralized approach favouring cooperation between actors, innovative markets for the creation of added value and employment at the local level and the creation of integrated territorial approaches leading to a circular economy and food systems» Responsible and equitable governance of natural resources to give producers secure and sustainable access to natural resources, ensuring their sustainable use and thus long term food security

8 Some conclusions International and regional multi stakeholder Seminars Agroecology goes beyond technical solutions and innovations based on incremental changes and can drive genuine transformative change in food and agricultural systems by moving towards socio ecological systems that place people (farmers and consumers) at the center Agroecology takes a system approach to tackle of root causes of poverty, food insecurity and unsustainable practices which often lies outside farms (balance of power, access to natural resources, gender equity, income opportunity in rural areas ) Agroecology must be seen as an opportunity to rethink our system and guide a transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems Agroecology as a pathway to transform food and agricultural systems and achieve the SDGs

9 II) Follow up: FAO s Scaling Up Initiative

10 Agroecology as a transformative approach FAO commitment We have reached a tipping point: it is time to scale up agroecology now Chair summary of the 2 nd Internatijonal Symposium on agroecology, 3 5 April, Rome New areas are still being cleared for agriculture at record rates, even with sustainable intensification. Current techniques are reducing damage only at the margins. We need an integral approach that agroecology can offer. FAO is committed to explore all the potential of agroecology in this regard. FAO Director General Statement, Regional Symposium on Agroecology for Sustainable Agricultureand Food Systems for Europe and Central Asia. Budapest, Hungary, November 2016 Agroecology high in FAO Agenda at international, regional and national level

11 The Scaling Up Agroecology initiative The Initiative was launched during the FAO 2 nd international Symposium (April 2018) The Scaling up Agroecology Initiative: aims to accompany and support national agroecology transition processes through policy and technical capacity that builds synergies between countries will provide a framework for concerted action with other UN Agencies and partners will elaborate a funding strategy to build synergies to develop agroecology will work on target countries for implementation (call for interest?)

12 The 10 elements of agroecology Guiding transition towards Sustainable Food and Systems Result of the discussion of the FAO regional seminars on Agroecology and seminal literature Guide countries and partners on the transition process Highlight that agroecology is more than a set of practices, but Integrated and holistic approach

13 DATA COLLECTION FAO Global Knowledge Product ( ) General objective Produce evidence on the performance of agroecological systems across the environmental, social, economic dimensions of sustainability and develop tools to support context specific policy making on agroecology Specific objectives: Develop a global analytical framework for policy makers, researchers and analysts to assess the multi dimensional performance of agroecological approaches. Adapt the global framework to local needs allowing to test and validate the framework in countries. Collect, analyse and disseminate information (quantitative, qualitative and spatial) related to agroecology through an on line database. December 2018 Global database on agroecology developed and operational, including process of consultation with end-users (January-December 2018). Case study teams work with relevant stakeholders to adapt and apply the analytical framework to conduct case studies, validate the analytical framework and generate data (May-December 2018). June 2019 National/regional workshops held to facilitate multi-sectoral policy discussions based on the results of the case studies, identifying specific country needs and providing targeted support to integrate agroecological approaches in the national agenda, policies and strategies (January-June 2019). Global workshop to share lessons learned from case studies and to consolidate the global analytical framework (June 2019). Draft guidance document on how to apply the decision-support tools developed by the Global Knowledge Product and outlining policy options and strategies to support agroecology prepared (June 2019). December 2019 Final document to be published and translated into FAO official languages

14 FAO s global platform on agroecology FAO Agroecology knowledge Hub Constantly updated with FAO and external contents Publication of resources, experiences and events on agroecology Agroecology monthly newsletter Extense databases on agroecology: AgroecologyLex Selection from FAOLEX Database on country legislation, agreements and policies on agroecology Agroecology Knowledge Hub database Repository of publications, articles, courses and multimedia resources on agroecology

15 Promoting technical, social and institutional innovations Innovation systems at the center of the debate in agricultural paradigms Promoting innovation for sustainable agriculture is not just inventing new technologies or products, but also facilitating innovation processes that can stimulate new ideas, technologies, products and practices from a variety of actors (and particularly from farmers) around the world Innovations should: Be people centered and locally adapted Be low cost and adaptable (appropriate technologies) Enhances family farmers autonomy and livelihoods Be climate resilient and uses natural resources sustainably Results of an online survey at the Innovations Debate at the 2 nd International Conference What are, or should be, the main characteristics of agroecological innovations? (2018)

16 III. One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme

17 Four work areas: Raising awareness on the need to adopt SCP patterns in food systems Building enabling environments for sustainable food systems Increasing the access to and fostering the application of actionable knowledge, information and tools to mainstream SCP in food systems Strengthening collaboration among food system stakeholders to increase the sector s SCP performance Five focus themes : Sustainable diets Sustainability along all food value chains Reduction of food losses and waste Local, national, regional multi stakeholder platforms Resilient, inclusive, diverse food production systems Launched in 2015 Multi stakeholder programme co led by South Africa, Switzerland, Hivos and WWF Multi stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) with 23 members from : Government agencies Civil society organizations Research and technical institutions UN agencies and other international organizations Private sector >100 partners from all stakeholder groups and around the globe

18 Sustainability along ALL value chains: Identifying and promoting local initiatives linking small scale producers and consumers Objectives: Develop a participatory methodology to map and analyze existing initiatives, Gather and share knowledge and experiences through workshops and develop guidance materials on how to implement these innovations Provide policy support to public, private and civic actors who want to support these types of approaches Outputs: 1. Policies at national and regional level that promote innovative markets for sustainability supported 2. Knowledge and data for mapping local and territorial markets for sustainable food systems generated 3. Sustainability and inclusiveness in voluntary standards schemes including Geographical Indications (GI) 4. Guidance to value chains actors for promoting innovative markets for agroecology and sustainable agriculture provided

19 What has been published already: Published 2015: Published 2015: az561e.pdf i5398f.pdf Published 2016: Published 2018: i5907e.pdf

20 Mapping territorial markets: Globally more than 80% of smallholders operate in local and domestic food markets ( ) despite their importance, these markets are often overlooked in data collection systems, which impacts negatively on the evidence base for informing public policies Stakeholders are invited to facilitate follow up by mapping, assessing and promoting exchange of experience in some key areas, such as methodologies for data collection on local, national, regional and international markets and food systems; food safety; and public procurement programmes Committee on World Food Security Policy Recommendations on Connecting smallholders to markets 2016

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22 Navigating Sustainable Food Systems: A handbook of innovative local experiences from around the world A guide written at the suggestion of a network of local actors (NGO, farmer networks, local government, etc) innovating to make their food systems more sustainable Co conceptualized and co written Use of the guide: As auto diagnostic tool (e.g. checklists) As brainstorming tool with scenario to envision futures and prioritize entry points (e.g. scenario exercises; real life cases explained step by step) As training and sensitization material (e.g. guidelines to define locallyrelevant training programme)

23 Senegal Entry point FAO, INRA, ISRA, Projet résilience climatique, ARM, ENSA, AFSA, CICODEV, Cabinet MDAMOP, ONG AGRECOL, Grande Muraille Verte du Sénégal, FNDASP, FENAB, PASA LUMAKAF, Enda Pronat, UCAD.PDRS2 Governance, Markets, Quality

24 New Deadline for Comments: 19 Novembre 2018 Nouvelle échéance pour commenter: 19 novembre hlpe/discussions/agroecology_innovation v0 Innovation/Docs/HLPE Agro ecological_approaches and Other_Innovations_Draft V0 4_October_2018.pdf Featured in the Innovation Fair: The Kaydara Agro-ecological School Farm programme (Senegal)

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