December 2020
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Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs) and their members all over the world in different ways. Governments, international cooperation and civil society organizations are working to develop strategies and plans to build back better and for a "green recovery" from the pandemic.
Green recovery is a paradigm shift that looks towards a transition from the pre-pandemic scenario to a sustainable, green and climate-neutral economy. In this context, FFPOs are key players in achieving this as they have strong ties with their constituencies. They can mobilize members not only to return to business as usual before the pandemic, but also to achieve transformational changes in the farming systems and food production through more friendly and sustainable farming practices. In this regard, FFPOs have something to say and share. Here are some messages from the ground.
FFPOs reflect towards green recovery and building back better
For us, "green recovery" means to return to the essence of our communities' life; it implies the articulation of forest management activities with the food security systems of our communities. It also includes binging ecological family farming in the frontline as a vital strategy to secure communities' livelihoods, and prioritizing food security of families.
(Rolando Vargas Nina, AFIN, Bolivia)
"Green recovery" includes raising the value of healthy consumption and the recovery of our ancestral knowledge, which, combined with current techniques, can support the establishment of agro-ecological production for crop diversification and food sovereignty."
(Marco Calle, AOPEB, Bolivia)
"Building back better" means being resilient in the face of adversity by using lessons from the past and putting new and improved measures/strategies in place, to ensure that activities are carried out more efficiently. This also means supporting farmers through knowledge acquisition in alternative livelihood income generation. This is achievable through judicious resource allocation commitment and usage, continuous education among other things, and garnering governmental /institutional and other support with policy changes."
(Joyce Poku-Marboah, KKFA, Ghana)
"Building back better" means developing sufficient resources and enabling farmers towards restoration and recovery from the pandemic, and capacitate them to bounce back to their normal lives.
(Jog Raj Giri, AFFON, Nepal)
The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes in FFPOs' production systems and activities
After several months of imposed lockdowns, mobility restrictions, closure of markets and other forms of social distancing measures, FFPOs across the globe have experienced changes that have affected their day-to-day activities and production systems.
In Ghana, producers from Kattetaah Maali Lanbuure (KAMALA) report a 50 percent reduction in the average cultivated area compared to the 2019 production season. This is due to high cost of farm inputs, reduced access to tractor services, difficulty in organizing communal labour, and reduced production capital due to increased cost of managing large numbers of household members.
Further, members from Zuuri Organic Vegetable Farmers' Association (ZOVFA) in Ghana report that the pandemic has affected families' income. Sale prices dropped as clients from local markets decreased whereas the products' transportation costs increased because of movement restrictions.
The Community Action in Development and Research (CADER) in Ghana notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused scarcity of hired labor for land preparation, planting, weeding and harvesting. The pandemic has also interrupted supply chains due to limited transportation, inputs access and markets.
In Madagascar, producers from FIkambanana Fampivoarana ny Tantsaha or Association pour le progrčs des paysans (FIFATA) also experience increase in the cost of agricultural inputs and transport. Farmers also faced challenges in storage and marketing, selling their products at lower prices and letting food products ripen in the fields.
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FFPOs are implementing solutions and setting mid-and long-term strategies to support their members and constituencies for a green recovery
As reported by the Asociación Forestal Indígena Nacional (AFIN) in Bolivia, the negative impacts of COVID-19 on communities and farmers' production systems have created higher levels of awareness on the importance of nature in families' access to food and health. It has also influenced changes in communities' attitudes and routines towards biosecurity practices to prevent possible infections and using natural medicinal products as prevention for COVID-19. To mitigate and recover from the impacts of the pandemic, FFPOs are developing mid- and long-term strategies to support their members for a green recovery. `
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In Bolivia, the Asociación de Organizaciones de Productores Ecológicos de Bolivia (AOPEB) have developed new channels of commercialization for famers' products. They created "bio bags" or bags of fresh fruits and vegetables delivered directly at the consumers' door.
In Madagascar, the Réseau Syndicat des Organisations Agricoles (SOA) has supported farmers and producers in using technology and the internet to find and contact clients, and promote online sale via social networks.
In Ghana, the Kookoo Pa Farmers Association (KKFA) is exploring a market hub, together with the Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers (GhaFFaP) and digital platforms to display farmers' products for door-to-door delivery service.
Further in Ghana, the Abrono Organic Farmers Association (ABOFA) is upscaling the Market Analysis and Development data collection for basket of products (including vegetables, mango, cashew, cocoa and moringa) of its members to link them to aggregators and develop transition-zone business plans.
The Tele-Bere VSL Association (Tele-Bere) is exploring web-based marketing and communication tools to ensure members' products gain wider attention, and working on collective marketing initiatives to ensure better bargaining and contracting arrangements.
Finally, the National Farmers Group Federation of Nepal (NFGN) is convinced that 'nutrition gardening' practice, agro-forest production and collective sustainable agriculture practices will make producer organization achieve "green recovery."
With support of
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