Based on the agreement in Brasilia, the global campaign in favour of Family Farming will be extended.
When the International Year of Family Farming IYFF-2014 was coming to an end, on 14 and 15 of November 2014, women and men farmers leaders from the five continents, along with rural associations, research centres, World Consultative Committee members, national committees and other stakeholders, gathered in Brasilia (Brazil). After analysing the achievements of the IYFF-2014, it was decided that six demands are to be fulfilled in the next few years and agreements were reached to give continuity to the IYFF-2014.
Based mainly on the agreement in Brasilia, the global campaign in favour of Family Farming, peasants, artisan fishing, pastoralists and indigenous people will be extended for 10 more years.
The main objective of IYFF+10 will be to continue improving public policies in favour of Family Farming, focusing in the usual seven areas: access to local and regional markets, access to credit, access to appropriate technology, access to natural resources taking climate change into consideration, strengthening of family farmers’ organisations, and the role of women and youth. We will pay special attention to this last topic, considering it a highly relevant and urgent matter.
Moreover, the IYFF+10 relies on three key areas:
1. The promotion of National Committees: These Committees have shown their strength throughout 2014, improving public policies in different countries. We renew our commitment to promote policy dialogue in favour of Family Farming between farmers’ organisations, rural associations, international institutions, governments, research centres and other stakeholders.
2. Global Guidelines for Family Farming: Based on the third demand from the Manifesto of Brasilia, a widespread participation process will be opened in order to build the Global Guidelines, aiming to reach an agreement with the international community. Just as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) or the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests, achieving Global Guidelines in Family Farming would mean creating a common horizon, a shared and universal proposal for the promotion of Family Farming.
The process to build Global Guidelines will take into great consideration the previously achieved agreements and will complete the existing empty areas. This way, the Global Guidelines will promote Family Farming in a comprehensive manner.
3. Promotion of Participatory Research: Due to the important role of research, the IYFF+10 will promote the active participation of farmers’ organisations and civil society in these particular processes.
Furthermore, the IYFF+10 will also work so that the Sustainable Development Goals suitably reflect the role of Family Farming and will promote links with the International Year of Soils and the World Forum on Access to Land.
As happened during the International Year, the IYFF+10 will always seek the maximum cooperation and spirit of understanding between farmers’ organizations, rural associations, research centers, governments and international institutions.
We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the efforts made in the IYFF-2014 and we encourage you to continue working together during this next stage.
Kind regards,
World Rural Forum Secretariat
