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Moderated e-mail conference on small farms and food security

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Moderated e-mail conference on small farms and food security <[log in to unmask]>
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Fri, 30 Mar 2018 13:34:14 +0000
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Hi all,

Here is the summary of inputs received on challenges small farms faced in the past.

Q3.1/5: Question: “3.1 Identify the three main challenges which small farms, in your region, have faced in the recent past.”

1/ From: Sanusi Jari <[log in to unmask]> (Nigeria)
I am Dr. Sanusi Jari a Lecturer/Researcher at Federal University Dutsin-Ma Katsina State, Nigeria and a Consultant Agronomist Value Chain Development Expert.

Recently we conducted a field survey in the four irrigation scheme areas, Bakalori, Goronyo, Kano River Irrigation Project and Hadejiya valley irrigation scheme, all in North West zone of Nigeria).
Rice  farmers were asked to list their major challenges in order of priority:
1. Lack of access to mechanization services especially during land preparation: farmers in all the irrigation schemes under study agreed that they could not access tractor to plough and harrow their farms in time. "Tractor hiring”: the farmers no longer have serviceable tractors in all the four schemes so there is acute shortage of tractors in all the four irrigation schemes. Farmers have to clue to get their farms prepared, in view of the few available units of seasonal migratory tractor hiring service providers
2. Lack of access to quality input such as seeds, fertilizer and chemicals
3. Problem of quieler birds: militating against rice production in all the four irrigation schemes
4. Lack of access to financial services and delay in remitting the credit facilities when they are most needed
5. Delay in payment to farmers by the off takers (buyers)

2/ From:  Annalisa Saccardo <[log in to unmask]> (Italy)
I am Annalisa Saccardo, policy maker working in Coldiretti, the most important farmers’ association in Italy that represents more than a million of famers

The three main challenges which small farms have faced in my region are:
1) how to remain on the market
2) how to answer to consumers’ demand of  buying high quality food obtained with sustainable systems of production at a lower price
3) how to increase their own income.

Q3.2/4: Question “ 3.2 Share specific examples of what types of adaptations and innovations have helped small farms to cope with these challenges.”

From: Annalisa Saccardo <[log in to unmask]> (Italy)
In Italy, there isn’t a problem of  access to food but the question is how farmers can be competitive on the market maintaining or increasing their income.

Coldiretti, the most important farmers’ association in Italy, has introduced, for the first time, the system of farmers’ market to support small and medium farms.

This model could be adopted in other countries too. Actually, small farms in Italy are supported by actions provided in Rural Development Plans of CAP and towards the creation of a net called Campagna Amica ("Friend country") founded by Coldiretti.
It is a system, created in 2008, to empower the role of small professional farms on the market (small self consumption are not considered by this system because they haven’t an active function in the development of territory).

The net has been created because traditionally small farms have difficulties to get good prices for their products because the added value of intermediation is gained mainly by big retailers.
On the other hand when farmers have contracts with big retailers the margin of income is reduced because the price is imposed by the retailer.

Small farms need to maximize the income cutting the intermediate relations with retailers.

"Campagna Amica" is formed by farmer markets, farmers shops, farmers restaurants, Purchasing and Selling Groups, and urban vegetable gardens, in all the national territory to sell directly to consumers only 100% made in Italy agricultural products.

The participation of the farmers or of other subjects to this net, need to subscribe the respect of specific regulations according to the kind of selling point (farmer market, restaurant, food shop ecc.).

There is a severe system of "checks" and who doesn’t respect the rules of this regulations are excluded by the net and can’t use "Campagna Amica’s" logo and branding.

The preliminary condition is that the  farm can come into the net only if it is associated to the farmers’ organization and it is accredited.

The practice is managed at a local level by Coldiretti that have the direct relations with the farms. The farm is accredited if accepts to be subjected to regular checks, the products must be obtained by agriculture and 100% made in Italy.

"Campagna Amica" has created an internal  group of controllers, an external group of security and there is a third certification organism. Farmers can obtain the logo of "Campagna Amica" when a single farm sells its products:
1) to the consumers on its own site;
2) to the agromarkets associations that are created by the farmers to organize the farmer market. This association is ruled by a statute that provides how the farmers must behave (f.i. the products they sell have to be thoroughly produced by the farm).

Coldiretti has made a guideline giving indications about the conditions that can’t be derogated by the regulation of a farmer market so that they have a common standard. The regulation can be modified only with more stringent rules.

The advantages of this system are:
1) visibility to consumers towards the use of a single brand and  promotional actions to make it known in all the national territory (use of gadgets, cloths and advertisement material printed with the logo of the net);
2) strength: all the sales points of the farmers create a net that make it stronger and enhance the development of agriculture and the valorization of local agricultural products;
3) authority: all the points of the net are included in a project of the national food chain;
4) the net works to ensure the right economical value to the agricultural products of small farms with advantages for consumers too;
5) to make (the brand) known to consumers. (the role of) national and local products make the public understand all the advantages to eat fresh, seasonal  and traditional products at a lower price.

A farmer can open a food shop too where he/she has only local products that must be directed by a farmer or by a seller, always with the brand. It is possible to create an stand in a store or a space in a distribution center. In the food shop, having this brand, it is possible to sell national products with "Friend Country" mark or products of National Food Chain created by the farmers association.

The net provides to restaurants too. They must have at least a plate done with ingredients produced by farmers of the net.

Coldiretti has obtained, from the Italian government, a law that allows a fiscal benefit to famers who practice the direct selling. The farmers who sell their own agricultural products directly to consumers for examples in farmer markets don’t pay VAT (value added tax).





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