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UN CSD 15
Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting
New York, 26 February- 2 March 2007
Opening Session
Farmers Group Statement
by Mr. Ajay VASHEE, Vice-President
International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)
Mr Chairman,
My name is Ajay Vashee; I am a farmer from Zambia and the Vice-President of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). I am also Chairman of the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions.
Last year, at CSD14, the Farmers’ Group highlighted the constraints and obstacles faced by farmers in mitigating and adapting to climate change. We also drew attention to in the benefits of using sustainable sources of energy as a way to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Today, we will propose some priorities for action to address those constraints and obstacles.
First, on the question of Climate Change.
The reality of global warming has gained scientific consensus, and this has lead to an international awareness on the impact of human activities on the climate – including in agriculture. It has become a priority for farmers, who are one of the civil society groups most affected by Climate Change.
The relationship between agriculture and climate change is twofold. On the one hand it is a sector which suffers from the effects of climate change. On the other hand, agriculture is an activity which has a great potential in providing answers to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change.
Farmers around the world already bear the consequences of climate change. Weather variability has increased, and crops and livestock are increasingly stressed by drought and flooding. Further, the most vulnerable regions to climate change are in the developing countries, which are the least able to cope with them.
Farmers cannot bear this burden alone. Climate change is every body’s concern. Farmers need to be supported and facilitated in their efforts to adapt to, and mitigate the effects of, climate change. Responses are needed at the international, regional, national as well as local levels.
In particular, we propose the following actions:
1. Governments to initiate policy reforms that promote agricultural systems and practices that are better adapted to weather variability, and agricultural systems and practices that help to reduce the production of greenhouse gases in agriculture. This should be done in partnership with farmers’ organizations through the establishment of follow up multi-stakeholders’ commissions.
Policy reform should mainstream agriculture into climate change agendas, including:
- the creation of carbon credits for farmers who follow the required agricultural practices
- providing incentives, and the necessary policy and legal framework, for the adoption of agricultural systems and practices to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects e.g. through stewardship programs
- establishing coherence among agricultural, climate change and energy policies
- setting up a clear national strategy to deal with the predicted financial losses due to climatic events, including in agriculture
- supporting the needs of farmers in developing countries to help them diversify their production to reduce risk
2. Support for farmer-driven initiatives to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects. This would include support for: conservation agriculture, agro-forestry, water harvesting, fighting desertification, and producing renewable energy.
3. Partnerships with the research community. Partnerships with the research community are essential to improve sustainable farm management practices such as conservation agriculture, crop rotation, integrated pest management and agro forestry. At the same time, farmers need economic research and extension to be informed on the impacts of climate change on their daily activities through for examples: regional impact studies, training programs to identify and scale up good practices and research projects on energy harnessing on the farm as well as on existing early warning systems.
4. Mobilization and solidarity at the international level. For farmers in the developing countries, who are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, it is important that climate change related measures are integrated into the agendas of development agencies. In particular, existing international funds, such as those related to the Framework Convention on Climate change, as well as the Least Developed Countries Fund, should allow direct access to funding for farmers’ organisations.
Now, I will turn to the issue of renewable energy.
In a context of rising oil prices, and of measures to fight climate change, renewable sources of energy are becoming a key issue at the international level as a promising alternative to fossil fuel energy sources. Farmers are well placed to supply renewable energies.
A stable investment environment is necessary to develop such a potential and to make sure they benefit farmers. Thus governments need to make a long-term commitment to facilitate the development of renewable energies, including bio-fuels.
Proposals from the farmers’ group on the priorities for renewable energies are as follows:
1. National governments should put in place forward-looking policies to support sustainable energy expansion in agriculture. Such policies would focus on:
-Making sustainable energy technologies cost competitive
- Providing incentives to encourage investment
- Minimising risks from weather variability
2. Farmers must be involved as full partners in the whole value chain from production to distribution. This is important so that farmers reap real benefits from the development of renewable energy, and do not become mere suppliers of cheap raw materials to the energy companies. There is a real opportunity here for improving farmers’ livelihoods and reducing poverty. The UN, national governments and donors should encourage the development dimension that renewable energy can bring to rural communities and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. For this to happen, farmers need to become providers of value-added energy products. The Farmers’ Group therefore proposes that:
3. National governments develop sound policy instruments to encourage farmers’ organisations involvement in the production of renewable sources of energy. A key element of such instruments would be appropriate incentive mechanisms to encourage and support farmers’ investments in processing facilities and the development of quality standards and direct marketing.
These measures include: tax incentives, duty rebates, and capital allowances.
4. Measures be put in place to encourage a competitive domestic economy to contribute to bio-energy needs. A bioenergy strategy that builds an industry based only on importing feedstocks will not improve livelihoods for local farmers.
5. Draw up a research and development program geared towards the development of small scale technology for renewable energy. The role of research is critical for the development of cost-effective methods to enhance the energy potential of indigenous plants and under-utilized species. This will help farmers to make the right choices for energy production
Farmers themselves have also their part to play in being proactive. We need to provide extension services and transfer of technologies in the form of training support, information and specialized advisory services as well as local agricultural advisers.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, opportunities for farmers to invest in bioenergy do exist. However, if we are to benefit from its development, we need careful analysis and planning. Bioenergy is not a miracle solution to farm income problems, but they offer a possibility to complement our income. Therefore, we need to bring all stakeholders together and work hand in hand to develop win-win partnerships.
Mr. Chairman, in the name of the Farmers’ group, I hope that these priorities for action that I have outlined to you will receive favorable consideration from the CSD.
Thank you.