Food systems: the role of small scale farming

Food systems: the role of small scale farming

Maize production in Africa. Credit: Africa Centre for Biodiversity
Maize production in Africa. Credit: Africa Centre for Biodiversity
Brussels—3 December 2020

“The role of small-scale farming needs to be acknowledged as an essential component of sustainable food systems” stated faith organizations from Africa and Europe during the second in a series of intercontinental dialogues on food systems. The dialogue took place on 3 December 2020 and was hosted by the Baha’i International Community (BIC) Brussels Office jointly with other faith organisations. It was held in preparation for the upcoming 2021 Africa-EU Summit and follows an initial meeting on 8 July 2020.

Participants explored how a dynamic balance can be established between international cooperation and interdependence on the one hand, and self-sufficiency and food sovereignty on the other. Participants noted that while this requires international partnerships to be based on the principles of  justice, much is to be done to foster resilience at the local level. Attention needs to be given to how local and international processes can mutually reinforce one another in order to allow for local markets to emerge. 

Local resilience requires the role of small-scale family farming to be acknowledged as an essential component of a viable structural model for the development of the agricultural sector. This should be complemented by rethinking the approach to agricultural development and reconsideration of the attachment to present industrial farming systems. “Local knowledge needs to feed into decision making processes at all levels, including at the intercontinental level, and consideration needs to be given to how spaces can be created that allow for that to happen in a meaningful way” remarked one participant. 

Participants further elaborated on the role of faith-based organizations in ensuring food security. As significant actors in local settings, faith-based organizations can provide insights into the localization of food production. They are gathering relevant experience in how communities generate, apply and disseminate new agricultural knowledge that marries scientific advances and traditional knowledge. More broadly, they also give thought to how spiritual principles can be applied to the creation of food systems that support just and prosperous communities. 

The organizers, which include the Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN), Act Alliance EU, Caritas Europa, the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) are planning to host a third meeting in February, just before the Africa-EU Summit scheduled to take place in March.