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3rd World Water Forum

Farmer and Water go together


Kyoto, Japan – 19 March 2003 – An IFAP delegation, including representatives from Africa Europe and North America, attended the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto, 16-23 March. The delegation contributed actively in the debates, expressing worldwide farmers views. IFAP made it clear that farmer and water go together. &#x201CWithout water there is no agriculture and therefore no food security”, claimed IFAP farmers during the different sessions.

Farmers must be involved in all decision making processes in order to bring solutions for a better management of the water resource. “Who talks about water talks about food and therefore talk about agricultural producers” urged Mr. Sekou Oumar Tall, farmer from Mali and the IFAP Chairman of the Committee on developing countries. He also underlined the fact that IFAP farmer must be invited to participate in every process involving agriculture.

About 70% of the world freshwater supplies are used for agriculture. Farmers willingness to produce “more crop per drop” is there, but they need help to come up with solutions. Therefore, a conference like the 3rd WWF is a crucial opportunity to share views, innovation and experiences between the stakeholders. &#x201C Researchers have knowledge, farmers have the innovation, now, how do we manage then to come up with solutions?” challenged Ms. Mercy Karanja, a farmer from Kenya, during a session held by CGIAR on Water Management for Agriculture.

During the FAO session on Food Security, Mr. Nicola Stolfi, an Italian representative, gave IFAP farmers view on the link between environment protection and sustainable agricultural practices: “If you give economic opportunities to farmers, then they will have the means to protect natural resources.”

How will farmers improve their food production and incomes while using water more efficiently?” has been the major point raised by farmers. The 3rd WWF will not come up with a magical formula but rather it is a wonderful opportunity to look out for innovative solutions in order to achieve the 2015 Millennium goal for food security, set by the UN.

The IFAP President, Mr. Jack Wilkinson, will address the Ministerial Meeting on Water for Food and Agriculture, jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan and FAO, on March 21st. He will voice out worldwide farmers needs and concerns.
Brochure

Julie Emond

Communications Coordinator


E-mail: julie.emond@ifap.org 

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

Vision and Mission

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.