FAO Economic and Social Development Department 2014 The
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FAO Economic and Social Development Department 2014 The State of Food and Agriculture Innovation in family farming Kostas Stamoulis Director FAO Agricultural Development Economics Division
More than 570 million farms in the world Number of farms by region World total: 570 million #sofa 2014
Family farms: Why we care ? ? § More than 90 percent of farms in the world are family farms (500 million out of 570 million). § Family farms operate about 75 percent of farm land § They produce about 80 percent of food. § Family farms are diverse in size and other traits.
Most of the world’s farms are small… Share of farms, by land size class 72% <1 ha 12% 1– 2 ha 10% 2– 5 ha 3% 5– 10 ha 1% 10– 20 ha 2% >20 ha #sofa 2014
… but most of the world’s farmland is on large farms Distribution of farms and farmland worldwide #sofa 2014
Family farms are therefore key to: § § Feed the world Manage agricultural resources sustainably Raise rural incomes But they face many challenges …
Meeting these challenges requires INNOVATION § Innovation means doing things better. § Agricultural innovation systems include all institutions and individuals that enable farmers to do things better. § Overarching components: – enabling environment, including access to markets – agricultural R&D for family farms – inclusive agricultural advisory services
Different family farms need different things from an agricultural innovation system § Large family farms – similar to large business ventures § Small or medium-sized farms that: – are already commercial (generating a surplus for the market) – have potential to become commercial § Subsistence smallholders with little or no potential for commercial production #sofa 2014
Agricultural R&D and advisory services § Countries need to invest more in agricultural R&D and advisory services. § Inclusive and participatory research and advisory services can help meet the needs of smaller family farms. § Public and private sectors have complementary roles to play. § Agricultural producers’ groups can help ensure that the voices of family farmers are heard.
To conclude § Family farms are key to global food security. § Family farms are very diverse. § We need diverse policies that are tailored to their needs. § Through innovation family farms can: – feed the world, – reduce poverty – protect natural resources
FAO Economic and Social Development Department For more information … The State of Food and Agriculture 2014 Innovation in family farming FAO‘s major annual flagship publication Available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese www. fao. org/publications/sofa #sofa 2014
