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World Rural Women’s Day

Women farmers: influential players in the world of agriculture

Paris, 15 October 2004 – “United in our diversity, we are ready to do our outmost to ensure sufficient food production for everyone while protecting the environment.” This is the message issued on the World Rural Women’s Day 2004 by women farmers from all over the world. According to the Chairperson of the Committee of Women Farmers of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), Mrs. Karen Serres, women farmers play a key role in protecting the diversity of crops and livestock, as well as the richness of the environment. World food security cannot be assured without preserving biodiversity. Recognition of women farmers as the main guardians of their environment should therefore be expressed in a concrete way. "Women farmers throughout the world put forward the same demand: to be taken into consideration as influential players in the world of agriculture”, stated Mrs. Serres.

Over the centuries, women farmers have acquired knowledge on most animal and plant species in connection with their agricultural activities. They have frequently exchanged and tested these species in order to achieve the best results. Handed down from one generation to another, this accumulated knowledge is expanded regularly by their field experience (gardens managed by women farmers), education (technical agricultural training for adults) and agricultural research (dissemination of discoveries among women farmers). Similarly, women farmers are at the heart of the implementation of good agricultural practices when carrying out their daily tasks. Whatever the policies or plans drawn up to preserve biodiversity and ensure food security, women farmers must be taken into account.

This year, the special day is devoted to the theme “Biodiversity for food security: women farmers are ready!”. The purpose of this occasion is to remind people and governments of the conditions of women farmers throughout the world and the pressing need to give effective support for their activities. This year, the World Rural Women’s Day is marked by collaboration in the field of IFAP women farmers, representatives of the FAO and the various local and national players involved, uniting their efforts to highlight the contribution made by rural women to the conservation of biodiversity. These activities will also enable women farmers to explain their demands, such as access to knowledge and training, as well as national and international financing.

Some statistics: According to FAO estimates, women produce more than 50% of the food grown worldwide. This includes up to 80% of food produced by women in African countries, 60% in Asia and between 30 and 40% in South America.

Note: The World Rural Women’s Day 2004 IFAP Committee on Women in Agriculture President’s Open letter and the Recommendations are available at: http://www.rural-womens-day.org/

Julie Emond

Communications Coordinator

E-mail: julie.emond@ifap.org

Phone:+33 1 45 26 05 53 Fax: +33 1 48 74 72 12

IFAP is the world farmers’ organisation representing over 500 million farm families grouped in 100 national organisations in 70 countries.

It is a global network in which farmers from industrialised and developing countries exchange concerns and set common priorities.

IFAP advocates farmers’ interests at the international level since 1946 and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.