Discussion: training manuals on food security

Contribution by Thomas Mokake from WFP, Italy

Dear members,

As a contribution to the question asked below by Brian Thompson and its group, please find possible response in my comments below:
Brian Thompson’s text:
1." How are we to protect smallholders’ livelihoods, nutrition and food security in response to rising price volatility, commercialization and transition in the agricultural sector."
2."The result may be over time an increase in the average farm size, land consolidation, increased commercialization of agriculture and possible migration out of the sector. In this process, small-scale farmers will be under increased pressure to adapt. Efforts should thus be made to facilitate positive spillover from commercialization into small-scale farming."
My comments:

• 
  Mechanised/commercial agriculture is capital intensive. If agricultural production becomes mechanised, pushing  the small-scale farmers out of the land, then their access to proper nutrition and sustained  food security shall be compromised if there are no policies/legislative frameworks and institutions  to dynamise the private sector growth in off-farm and agro-related economic activities. Does the national parliament care? Therefore, What are the policies to be encouraged at national level to guarantee food security of small farmers in SSA --- considering the fact that this rural population constitutes about 60 - 80% of the national population, depending on the country under consideration. Who monitors the implementation and reporting of such policies/laws that address food security?, and to what overseeing body? So national governments are accountable to who on food security and proper nutrition of their citizens?
  

• 
  Should we not move gradually from subsitence farming, through partial mechanisation, before encouraging total mechanisation of agriculture in SSA? What successes have we registered in partial mechanisation and where?, and what are the prospects?
  

• 
  How can the international community gurantee that nations shall implement policies that address the concerns of small farmers. What is the experience in the past since the last world food summit?-- note that for SSA, the Heads of State promised  in 2006 (Maputo declaration) to invest 10% of national budget into agriculture;  but this remains on the "wish" list for most countries whose national budgets are balanced mostly from grants and external loans---external loans that hardly get cleared as only interests is being paid while further loans are engaged and the Principal progressively increases--debt burden for the future generations!!!!
  

Best regards,

Thomas Mokake

Programme Officer

World Food Programme

Contribution by Charlotte Dufur from France

Dear Mr. de Haen,

Thank you for facilitating such a fascinating exchange of experiences and ideas. The wealth of contributions is in itself a reason to hope that we may rise to the challenge of feeding the world sustainably. Such pooling of minds is probably part of the process we need to build on, in order to find unique solutions to common problems and work together to respond effectively to complex and diverse needs.
I am most interested by the examples showing how the development of local farming systems (esp. using organic methods) has yielded improvements in income, nutrition and health. Dr. Lorenz Bachmann’s example of Masipag’s work is really inspiring, as are the numerous success stories that have been shared. 
Many contributions in this debate have focused on the agricultural approaches and techniques that underpin these interventions. But this makes me question what type of economic systems/policies could support the development of local farming systems in a way that benefits local populations. This also raises questions regarding which level of governance could provide effective support for such approaches. (I apologize if the ideas below have already been raised by others; I have not been able to keep track of all contributions!).
- Regarding economic policies and investments: it seems, from reading various contributions, that developing local market opportunities, and shortening the chain from producer to consumer, are often effective ways of meeting local nutritional and income needs (c.f. access and distribution issue), while also promoting more sustainable farming. My question is then: what economic and infrastructural investments could support the development of such markets? Many investments outside the agriculture sector may need to be thought about differently. For example, the development of secondary roads could become as essential as that of highways to capital cities and ports. Other types of infrastructure, such as hygienic market sites, storage facilities, etc. may need to be developed in provincial and district centres. Local training and educational facilities could also be developed at the provincial level, thereby capitalizing, disseminating and building upon local knowledge (about agriculture, biodiversity, etc.).
- Regarding levels of Governance: I agree fully with previous contributions that a global campaign is crucial, that reviewing international and national policies is essential, and that participatory and farmer-led initiatives are the key to sustainability. But I am not sure if the role of local government institutions (at the provincial and district levels) has been highlighted as much. But these are precisely levels where integrated local planning –including agriculture, infrastructure, health, natural resource management, etc.- can be more easily managed and where economic, social and agricultural policies can be best aligned. In that regard, the processes of decentralization initiated by several countries can represent an opportunity. It raises the question of making sure capacity is strengthened at that level.
I fully agree that we need more awareness, more political commitment and improved locally adapted farming techniques, but this will probably not suffice to bring about significant and lasting change. The issue is how we can shift incentives from promoting mainly export-oriented large-scale farming to equally promoting locally oriented production and marketing systems. The slogan "think glocal" comes to mind... In any case, wider economic policies, governance structures, and consumer education all come into play.
Thank you once again for a rich debate, 
Charlotte.
Charlotte Dufour 

Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods consultant

France