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IFOAM - Organics International to join the Global Family Farming Forum

In 2024, the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-28) reaches its mid-term. To mark this important milestone, a Global Forum will be held at FAO Headquarters between 15 and 17 October 2024, in Rome, Italy, parallel to the World Food Forum. 

Co-organized by FAO and IFAD, the event celebrates family farming as the backbone of diverse, innovative and dynamic agrifood systems; identifies policy innovations that support family farming and showcase examples of successful experiences from all over the world. With innovation, gender equality, science, investment and support for family farming at its forefront, the Forum will be led by young farmers, who will guide discussions on priorities for the future of agrifood systems. 

 

Our Presence at the Forum 

Representatives from IFOAM – Organics International and the Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers Organizations (INOFO) will attend the Forum with a delegation made up of Shamika Mone (INOFO President), Patricia Flores (IFOAM Senior Manager Global Academy) and Cristina Grandi (Chief Food Security Campaigner).  

IFOAM- Organics International will organize several activities during the meeting: 

  • Setting up a parallel event on "Which public policies to support agroecological and organic family farmers?" that takes place in the exhibition area of the Farm venue on Wednesday, 16 October, from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, where Shamika Mone and Cristina Grandi will address the audience  

  • Assignation of Patricia Flores, as one of the speakers at the session “Diversification of economic and market opportunities for family farming", that takes place on October 17, from 2:30pm to 4:00pm 

  • Participation of Shamika Mone as a speaker in the session on “Equitable access to and use of land, water and the other natural resources” that takes place on 17 October, from 9:30 to 11:00 am

  • Participation in the video contest “Innovations for and by family farmers” with #IGrowYourFood videos

IFOAM – Organics International advocates for and develops learning and education on agroecological family farming as the pillar for sustainable agriculture. With over 500 million family farms worldwide, these small-scale operations are the backbone of rural economies and play a critical role in food security contributing to 80% of the world's food production, according to FAO.

Agroecological practices can increase yields by up to 30%, while also strengthening the cultural bonds among people and food systems. Furthermore, agroecology enhances biodiversity, showing that diversified farms support up to 50% more species compared to monocultures. Together, family farming and agroecology promote resilient and inclusive food systems while providing better rural livelihoods.