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Moderated e-mail conference on small farms and food security

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Mon, 9 Apr 2018 18:38:22 +0000
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Hi all,

Here is the aggregated input we received on topic #6 - "How can policies affect small farm activities and their resilience?"

Q6.1/10 - Question - "6.1.  What are the policies (international, national or local) in your region that affect the viability and development of small farms, and small farms’ decision making regarding the amount and type of food produced and their ambitions regarding market integration?"

1/ From Richard Yeboah <[log in to unmask]> (Ghana)
This is a reply to an earlier question from Mayank Jain:
I want to know the opinion of fellow participants on "contract farming" with small farmers, through examples across different geographies.
How does it help the cause of farmers? Because agriculture is not only a business but a way of living too. Isn't becoming employee in your own land taking us at an alarming pace closer to industrial agriculture?

to which Richard replies:
A form of contract farming is the collaboration between "Nucleus farmers and small farmers called out-growers".
This is the case were a farmer referred to as Nucleus farmer has many registered small farmer who he/she works with. He/she provides some inputs as credit to the small farmers.
In addition extension service is provided hence these small farmers turn to get higher yields and hence get more profit than those not registered. The small farmers in turn sell some/all of their produce to him/her the credit is deducted and the rest paid to the small farmers. This is helping many small farmers. The challenge Nucleus farmers face is that some small farmers sell their produce to the open market and refuse to pay for the inputs provided.

2/ From: Dominic Duckett <[log in to unmask]> (UK)
This is a reply to Daniel Nkomboni's input to Dominic's request for input on issues of "conservation issues and small farmers".

I would like to thank Daniel for his insights. I had neglected to mention issues around epizootic and zoonotic diseases which are of profound concern around the world. In the UK there has been longstanding controversy around bovine tuberculosis and the role thought to be played in its epidemiology by wild badgers which are a protected and iconic wildlife species. More widespread have been fears surrounding avian influenza as a potential human pandemic and the role of migratory wild birds, particularly their interactions with commercial bird rearing as a disease pathway. Treatments, losses and the control mechanisms surrounding outbreaks can have huge financial costs associated with them. I am grateful too for his notes on the positive sides of wildlife conservation for small farmers.

3/ From: Yoanna Ivanova <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
Policies in Bulgaria related to agricultural production are EU policies. The country is still in the process of moving towards full implementation of these policies.

4/ From: Boyko Doychinov <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
Over the last 10 years, the GAP of the EU has been stimulating financially the production of cereals. Insufficient attention is also paid to national policies for the development and support of small farmers.


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Q6.2/8 - Question - "6.2.  Can you give specific examples of how these policies have affected small-farm decision-making?"

From: Boyko Doychinov <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
"Branch organizations" in Bulgaria play an important role in shaping policies for small farms.

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Q6.3/8 - Question - "6.3.  What are the most critical policies that are needed in your region to support small farm development and increase their role in food and nutrition security in the (regional) food system?

From: Boyko Doychinov <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
The EU School Fruit Program needs clearer rules to ensure that local small farmers are involved in delivering quality products. The program can be expanded by including other healthy products such as vegetables, dairy products and more.


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