The crucial role of smallholder farmers
in food security and poverty elimination
in a changing climate
Outline / Plan
1. The Agrarian Crisis
2. The unique and crucial role of SHFs
3. The relevance and potential of agro-ecology
4. The need for re-orientation of climate and
development policy
5. Examples
1. The Agrarian Crisis
•
9 billion people by 2050
•
Climate change is impacting on food production
•
The majority of people are fed with food
provided locally by smallholder farmers,
of which at least half are women
•
Many women are farming by default
– for survival
2. The potential of Smallholder
Farmers, Herders & Fishers
 Unique knowledge and relationship with the land and
natural resources -> adaptation
 It is not easy to work with the poor and small-scale
… BUT …
this should not mean further marginalization
 Existing systems are loaded against smallholders
System change is needed so smallholders become a
central part of the global food system
- the Climate Change agreement – a step in doing that
3. Agro-ecology
 A science, set of principles and movement
 A powerful tool for adapting production
systems to changes in the climate
 A means of sustainably optimising the
potential of the local environment
4. Re-orientation of climate
and development policy
To deliver a robust climate agreement in 2015
smallholder farmers, herders and fishers must be part
of the global food system. To achieve that we need:
1. Public funding and incentives for research into
agro-ecological farming
2. Investment that strengthens the agro-ecological
knowledge and capacity of smallholder farmers
3. Change in the enabling (market) environment so
that it penalises unsustainable practices
Thank you
Chris.Henderson@practicalaction.org.uk
Twitter: @Chris_P_Hen
For more information on Practical Action policy positions
at COP 20 check:
practicalaction.org/cop-20-un-climatechange-conference-2014
Agro-forestry in the
tropical zone of Peru
Gap filling, terracing,
mulching
Contoured earth bunds to improve rainwater
harvesting in North Darfur in Sudan