Hi everyone, 

here is the aggregated input received on the topic #2: Small farms and the resilience of the food system 


Q2.2/3 - Question "2.2  Have small farms been more resilient compared to large farms in your region? What were the main factors that determined their resilience? Please provide examples."

1/ From: Said Zarouali <[log in to unmask]> (Morocco)
The challenge has been in the financing (providing credit) - which is the main factor determining small farmers’ resilience… Small farmers can contribute significantly to the resilience, with minor investments. Labour is often contributed by family members, without paying wages, and they are a major contributor to the food security resilience system (but fail to get the critical investment in their farm).

2/ From: Mayank Jain <[log in to unmask]> (India)
(in reply to Ousmane Ka’s example of onion farming in Senegal)
I would like to add that we are working on similar thing here is Gaya, Bihar, India through onion farming with small farmers. 

In general Post Harvest Management (PHM) plays a very important role in food systems as well as resilience. Coming back to specific example, I focus more on service innovations in PHM where minor changes in practices at field can increase the shelf life of the crop. Be it field curing in case of onion or harvesting technique of tomatoes. These small changes not only provided better post harvest management but also resulted in longer shelf life which contributes to food system resilience.  


Q2.3/2: Question ”2.3  What examples can you share where having more diverse product ranges and diverse channels have contributed to the resilience of small farms.”

From: Mayank Jain <[log in to unmask]> (India)
..who replies to the moderator’s remark: "small farms can more easily diversify their produce, combining livestock, aquaculture, crops,..”

I work with farmers in Bihar, and as a strategy we have focussed on diversifying products with the prime aim of getting a sustainable recurring income for the farmers which alone cannot be attributed to cropping. We have incorporated pisciculture, vermicomposting as well as bee keeping as alternate revenue means which can generate income through allied-agro means.
It becomes more like a neccesity/compulsion to do such things as their is constant need to innovate. 

Even our Prime Minister on roadmap to double.the income of farmers by 2022 emphasized on the very fact "We can ask farmers to grow sea weed, build apiaries, set up solar farms. We have to put advanced options before them and make them aware of the same. Income can even be generated through waste such as coir and coconut shell waste, bamboo waste and banana waste" he said."

That also brings us to interesting viewpoint in light of 6.1






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