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Highlights
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Challenges faced by forest and farm producer organization in COVID-19 context
Many forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs) and their members all over the world are already feeling the impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic in disruptions to their lives and livelihoods due to the reinforced lockdown and social distancing actions central governments and local authorities are taking to contain the virus. These measures are affecting FFPOs in different ways.
As reported by our friends from FF-SPAK in Kenya, COVID-19 pandemic has caused already delays on the implementation of field activities such
as planting trees and there is the risk that many tree growing-related activities have to be postponed for the next year. Furthermore, transportation of food, charcoal and fuelwood is being limited and the supply of fresh fruits is lacking. These factors are
increasing the prices and access of goods.
In Bolivia, some of our FFPOs partners are reporting interruptions in field activities in the coffee, cocoa and amazon fruits sectors, as well as seedling distribution, harvesting, on-the ground certification and distribution and storage of production
for export activities. Smaller FFPOs are more likely to be most affected due to the lack of resources to implement resilience strategies and the delivering of services to their members. Overall, there is a fear among producers to experience shortages and risks
of not being able to sell all their products.
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Best practices from countries
At country level, FFPOS are responding in various innovative ways to help their members to overcome the pandemic.
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In Asia, the Asian Farmers Association (AFA) is joining efforts with governments to fight COVID-19
AFA, through its members and partners, is raising awareness on COVID-19 at community level and acting as local governments’ partners in the distribution
of emergency food and cash assistance. Members are working on strengthening capacities in policy and program engagement with local government units for water, health and sanitation facilities as well as setting agricultural-related policies during and post
COVID-19 crisis. In order to prepare farmers for a post COVID-19 scenario, AFA is also working on agro ecological and climate-resilient approaches as well as ensuring supply of seeds and other production inputs to help famers to increase agricultural productivity.
Moreover, AFA is promoting regular communications and exchange of experiences to mainstream good practices and lessons learned.
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In Nepal, FECOFUN is distributing food, masks and other sanitary materials
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Community
Forest User Groups in coordination with FECOFUN are distributing food supplies to the poor, wage labor families, indigenous peoples and under privileged users. They are providing immediate relief food such as rice, lentil, beans, water, dry foods etc. They
are also distributing masks, hand sanitizer and soap to people in needs. Furthermore, as many youth are returning home because of COVID 19, FECOFUN is making plans to engage with youth in forest and farm based enterprises identifying alternatives for income
so that they do not need to migrate again. FECOFUN is undertaking advocacy with concerned government authorities and stakeholders to support this initiative.
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“In the face of this COVID-19 health emergency, we are living a new experience never seen before, but it is also a learning process on how to manage ourselves calmly and respect the recommendations
from national, local and community-level authorities. Locally, at home, we have taken the opportunity to work in an agro-ecological way in our farms and produce enough food for our family and
our community members”
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Comment from the Sumak Pacha Association of Producers and Marketers, Otavalo - Ecuador
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