The three-day Civil Society Organization (CSO) Consultation for the 31st Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa in Harare ended on a high note on February 27, 2019 with the group electing 3 representatives for the broader conference set for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 23 to 27 March, 2020.
The selected representatives, will be the voice of CSOs across the continent, and by extension its small and medium-scale farmers, rural women and youth, fisherfolk, agricultural workers, livestock keepers, pastoralists, indigenous peoples, landless peoples and consumers.
The delegation set for Zimbabwe’s resort town of Victoria Falls consists of Elizabeth Mpofu from La Via Campesina (LVC) in Zimbabwe; Christiana Louwa from World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) in Kenya, and Hammadou Gordi from Réseau Des Organizations Paysannes e Producteurs Agricoles de l’Africa de l’Ouest (ROPPA) in Niger.
Following 3 days of intensive debates and discussions, participants from 21 African countries – Gambia, Senegal, Tunisia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Niger, Chad, Congo Brazzavile, Togo, Nigeria, Mozambique and Zambia – came up with a comprehensive statement that will be presented at the 31st FAO Regional Conference.
The major highlight of day one of the meetings was the opening ceremony, which was officiated by the country host, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Dr Perrance Shiri who highlighted the Government’s openness to work with non-governmental organisations for the greater good of smallholder farmers.
“Government appreciates the contributions that FAO, civil society organisations represented by the National Association of Non-governmental Organisations and Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum and producers’ organisations in providing organisational, economic, and social support to smallholder farmers, pastoralists and those who rely on fishing and forestry for their livelihoods,” said Dr Shiri.
“This role is important as it contributes towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 and national development plans that have a thrust of ending hunger, poverty and inequality in Africa.”
“The elimination of hunger for more than 750 million people in Africa and responding to different structural challenges requires strong partnerships, collaborations and commitments between various stakeholders. The civil society is fundamentally pivotal in this endeavour.”
The consultations were hosted by the Zimbabwean Government in partnership with FAO, the National Association of Non-Governmental Association (Nango) and ZIMSOFF.
Discussions on the first day centered on how the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) should play a key role in reduce African countries’ dependency on importing foodstuffs outside the bloc and how it could be effectively utilized to develop the capacities of smallholder farmers.
Also topical was the need to build resilient food and agriculture systems in view of the vagaries of climate change, conflicts and economic downturns.
There was also discussion of the need to promote the implementation of small-scale fisheries (SSF) guidelines so as to strengthen coordination of small-scale fisheries organizations at the regional level.
Day 2 centered around issues around strengthening local agricultural systems to ensure that women and youth become key players in the sector.
Participants from the various CSOs said the continent’s agro-food sector needs to be inclusive and embrace women and youth if it is going to effectively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Because of the noted difficulties faced by women and youths to engage in agriculture, participants recommended that Governments should define a statute for farm labour in the respective countries, as well as to introduce agriculture and food production to children in education system from young ages.
Another topical issue on the day was the need for Governments to mainstream policy implementation tools into the courses of action for food and nutrition security. The participants maintained that best practice is that Governments which succeed in achieving their development results tend to invest in public resources that fund the implementation of adequate policy tools.
It was also discussed that the relevant authorities (Governments/FAO) come up with ab action programme to address food security and nutrition challenges in Landlocked Countries in Africa, which are more prone to threats of drought and hunger.
During day 3 the participants discussed the implementation of peasant rights within the context of the decade of family farming. The United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019 – 2028) was proclaimed by the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Following those discussions, attention shifted to focus on the designation of the 3 spokespersons/representatives for the 31st FAO Regional Conference, as well as designation of the new steering committee for the next consultation, which were both expediently completed.
The final piece of business was a reading and adoption of the declaration and positions that the CSOs will present at the 31st FAO Regional Conference.
The declarations and positions will only be announced during the conference in Victoria Falls next month. But suffice it to say, the whole agenda is to make smallholder agriculture on the continent efficient and beneficial.
In his closing remarks, FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Africa at the CSOs Consultations for the 31st Session of the FAO Regional Conference, Mr Abebe Haile-Gabriel said FAO’s ears will be open to the concerns raised by the CSOs.
“You are indispensable partners as we continue work with small holder farmers; fishers and fish workers; pastoralists and herders; ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples; consumers; people who live on forest products, NGOs, women and youth.
“We plan to make this forthcoming Regional Conference in the region more inclusive and interactive by promoting and encouraging to exchange experiences across the continent in advancing our fight to eliminate hunger in Africa,” said Mr Haile-Gabriel.