Family farming, key to unlock global progress - UNSG
Today and every day, we eat thanks to the labours of family farmers.
They run the vast majority of farms in the world.
They preserve natural resources and agro-biodiversity. They are the
cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable agriculture and food systems,
said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message to mark World Food
Day.
"It is fitting that in this International Year of Family Farming,
there are 100 million fewer hungry people than just 10 years ago.
Sixty-three countries have halved the portion of their population which
is undernourished.
Our vision of zero hunger is within reach. But there is much work to
be done.
More than 800 million people do not have enough healthy, nutritious
food to lead active lives. One in three young children is malnourished.
Family farmers are key to unlocking global progress. But they are at a
disadvantage when it comes to access to technology, services and
markets.
And they are acutely exposed to extreme weather, climate change and
environmental degradation.
Ensuring equal access, particularly for women, to productive
resources is essential to empowering the world's 500 million smallholder
farmers to help eradicate poverty and safeguard the environment.
At the Climate Summit in New York last month, more than a hundred
organisations and governments pledged to work more closely with farmers,
fishers and livestock keepers to improve food security and nutrition
while addressing climate change.
The Zero Hunger Challenge and the Scaling Up Nutrition movement are
catalysing partnerships with governments, civil society and the private
sector.
The Committee on World Food Security, has made progress on
responsible investments in agriculture, addressing food losses and waste
and promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
In 2015, we have an opportunity to turn the tide, by achieving the
Millennium Development Goals, shaping a new agenda for sustainable
development and fostering a meaningful universal climate agreement.
A world free of poverty and hunger, where all people have realised
their right to adequate food, is central to the future we want." |