The Forest and Farm Facility initiative, a partnership among FAO, IIED, IUCN and AgriCord initiated in 2013, has announced efforts to help forest and farm producers and their organisations develop climate-resilient landscapes, strengthen enterprises and generate work opportunities and create more enabling policy environments for the rural poor
Millions of small-scale farmers and foresters are expected to better protect their lands from the impacts of climate change and improve their livelihoods thanks to renewed global efforts announced today on the sidelines of World Forest Week (COFO24).
Launched today, the second phase of the initiative will be rolled out over the next five years, across 25 countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, up from ten countries targeted during the initial stage.
About 1.5bn forest and farm producers make up 90 per cent of the world's farmers. They provide about 80 per cent of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa's food supplies and manage 500mn family farms and 30 per cent of forests in the global south.
“These groups make up a large proportion of the rural poor and rely on farming, forests and agroforestry systems to grow food and make a living. Rendering their lands resilient to climate change is key to their livelihoods and identity,” said Daniel Gustafson, deputy director-general of FAO for programmes on the sidelines of the World Forest Week.
“Forest and farm producers are more powerful when organised. By building their capacity, the Forest and Farm Facility initiative will help more producers and their organizations withstand the effects of climate change, create opportunities for their most vulnerable members, access benefits and influence policies to better address their needs,” added Gustafson.
