Canada and Agenda
21Canada and Agenda
21
CHAPTER 32
Strengthening the Role of Farmers
-- Vahid Aidun --
Vahid Aidun is a Resource Analyst at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author, with input from other stakeholders, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture or the Projet de Société.
THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
Occupying one-third of the Earth's land surface, farming is the central activity for much of the world's population. Indigenous people, rural dwellers and family farmers have been the stewards of much of the Earth's resources. There is growing concern, however, about the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Although farmers depend on their physical environment for their sustenance, many of the world's current farming methods and systems are not sustainable. One of the greatest problems is that farmers are faced with the difficulty of adjusting their methods and being able to produce enough food for over six billion people by the year 2000. In fact, over-exploitation and improper management, increased total farm production, increased population growth, international debt and falling commodity prices, have all limited farmers' access to resources and means of production.
PROGRAM AREAS AND OBJECTIVES
Sustainable agriculture is not possible without the full participation of farmers. Moreover, a "farmer-centred" approach, the key to the attainment of sustainable agricultural production methods for both developed and developing countries, calls for not only the promotion of sustainable farming practices and technologies, but also for a decentralized decision-making and participatory approach in the design and implementation of resource and agricultural policies. In order to meet these ends, a number of specific objectives or actions for governments are proposed in the chapter:
(1)To encourage a decentralized decision-making process through the creation and strengthening of local and village organizations that would delegate power and responsibility to primary users of natural resources;
(2)To support and enhance the legal capacity of women and vulnerable groups with regard to access, use and tenure of land;
(3)To promote and encourage sustainable farming practices and technologies;
(4)To introduce or strengthen policies that would encourage self-sufficiency in low-input and low-energy technologies, including indigenous practices, and pricing mechanisms that internalize environmental costs;
(5)To develop a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices; and
(6)To enhance the participation of farmers, men and women, in the design and implementation of policies directed towards these ends, through their representative organizations.
CANADIAN POSITION AT RIO
1. Official Canadian Position
The official Canadian position established two main objectives:
(1) Seek to strengthen recognition of the full and equal participation of both men and women in planning, decision-making, management, implementation and evaluation processes at international,national, regional and local levels; and
(2)Seek to strengthen recognition of the importance of women's access to land and training and to ensuring that their knowledge base is taken into account.
2.Farmers/Agricultural Producers
Farmers have both a vested interest and a deep concern with ensuring the sustainability of agriculture.
Farming feeds the world more than any other profession occurs in concert with, and is ultimately dependant upon the environment. Farming, more than any other sector worldwide, provides a livelihood and accounts for the survival of millions of people. Often these people are among the poorest and most marginalised. Again, it is farming above all other activities, that is most affected by the environmental and developmental issues, i.e., biodiversity, climate change, water resources, technology transfer, poverty debt, and population, addressed during the UNCED Conference.
Given the integral relationship of farmers with the management of the earth's natural resources, and the enormous responsibility to humankind this carries, agricultural producers feel a deep sense of concern. Concern not because of the enormity of their stewardship role and responsibility but concern centring around the lack of recognition afforded farmers as the primary stewards of the Planet's environment and natural resources. Concern that the constraints under which they feverishly work to feed the ever growing world's population are not being fully considered. And concern that the enabling environment, critical for a healthy and dynamic agricultural sector, is not being adequately addressed.
For these reasons, producer groups are seeking recognition of the fundamental role played by farmers in the management and conservation of the Earth's natural resources. Farmers feel an urgent need to be empowered with the ability to effect the change that is needed.
Agricultural producers are pleased that their interests and concerns are being addressed in the section on Strengthening the Role of Farmers. In the text, special emphasis is placed on the involvement of farmers in the search for, and promotion of, sustainable agricultural practices. Agricultural groups support this notion and believe it is only through consultation with farmers through their representative organizations that an appropriate policy framework, necessary to achieve sustainable agricultural development can be created, and the real needs of the farming community addressed.
If success in this area of sustainable agricultural development is to be won, farmers believe it will only be achieved when a farmer-centred, consultative approach is taken which regards farmers as the key to the solution, and not part of the problem.
3.Business and Industry
Canadian business and industry supported the position of the Canadian government in regard to this chapter.
4.Indigenous
Indigenous Peoples advised governments that many indigenous peoples are involved in some form of farming. There is an urgent need to establish indigenous knowledge institutions controlled and managed by indigenous peoples to disseminate this valuable knowledge to other indigenous peoples.
Therefore, the territories and lands of Indigenous Peoples need to be protected, developed and restored to ensure sustainability. In addition, their rights to these lands need to be recognized and protected.
COMMITMENTS MADE BY CANADIANS AT RIO
1.Legally-binding Documents
None.
2. Political Pronouncements
None.
3. Alternative NGO Treaties and Kari-Oca
NGO Treaties
At the same time as UNCED, two major international events were also held at Rio: the Global Forum and the Kari-Oca Conference. At the International Non-Governmental Organization Forum (Global Forum), 3100 NGOs discussed a number of matters related to environment and development and produced a parallel set of documents: an NGO Earth Charter and 38 Alternative NGO Treaties. Canadian NGOs played a significant role in developing the Treaties and took a lead in coordinating their dissemination. Among these treaties one deals specifically with sustainable agriculture. Other treaties deal with the role of non-governmental organizations. These are dealt with under Chapter 27.
Sustainable Agriculture Treaty
The NGOs in Rio agreed that it is necessary to break the "predatory model" in agriculture in favour of new patterns of sustainability. These must be equitable and participatory. They must put the control of natural resources and means of production into the hands of the people who work the land. Sustainable agriculture respects ecological principles of diversity and interdependence, producing diverse forms of foods, fibres and medicines. It maintains ecological balance -- including the self sufficiency and stability of rural communities.
Key to attaining this model is the cooperation of peasant, farmer, rural community and social groups in restoring, maintaining and developing sustainable farming systems. International networks can further strengthen and support local ones. Specific actions would then include preservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, aggressively advocating democratic and equitable redistribution of land based on control of the land by workers. Increased agriculture production should have as its goal the improvment of regional food supplies and the alleviation of poverty.
Kari-Oca
The second alternative forum at Rio was the International Conference on Territory, Environment and Development (the Kari-Oca Conference). The Kari-Oca Conference was held immediately prior to UNCED by and for the world's indigenous peoples. More than 650 indigenous representatives participated in meetings and cultural events during the conference, where they also developed and adopted a 109-point Indigenous Peoples Earth Charter.
Within Kari-Oca, Indigenous Peoples' clearly commitment themselves to sustainable and bio-regional agricultural practices is made clear. In the section titled "Lands and Territories" it states, "Indigenous peoples should encourage their peoples to cultivate their own forms of products rather than to use imported exotic crops which do not benefit local peoples." (Statement No. 44) Additionally, in the section titled "Biodiversity and Conservation" it states, "If we are going to grow crops, these crops must feed the people. It is not appropriate that the lands be used to grow crops which do not benefit the local peoples." (Statement No.70).
DEFICIENCIES, GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS WITHIN CHAPTER 32
Farmers the world over are cognizant of the fact that they must conserve their physical environment because of their dependence on it for their livelihood. It is the wish of every farmer to leave future generations an enhanced resource base for them to steward and develop. In many cases however, this is no longer possible. Farmers are often working under such severe social and economic pressures that their ability to farm in an environmentally sustainable manner is being undermined.
The largest constraint currently existing is one of realization that it is only an economically viable agriculture that will be capable of achieving the objectives of environmental sustainability. In order for this to be achieved, farmers - men and women - must receive fair prices for their products, be given fair and equitable trading conditions which includes environmental considerations, a sound infrastructure, and secure land tenure.
Farmers are committed to ethical and sustainable agricultural development, the fostering of a healthy physical environment, and to ensuring the revitalization and dynamic future of rural communities. Farmers are willing to work for a society and an agriculture which, in developing and industrialized countries alike, operates in harmony with nature with the aid of ecological, technical, ethical, and economic knowledge. Farmers cannot achieve this alone. Sustainable agricultural development requires a firm, mutual understanding between the farming sector and society as a whole. This must be a shared endeavour. A shared cooperative effort can only be achieved through open dialogue among the various stakeholders. These include farmers, intergovernment agencies, various NGOs active in the rural areas, and research agencies.
A further constraint to the implementation of the goals of this chapter are the current deficiencies in research, education, training, and information dissemination needed to assist farmers in improving their production and management techniques towards more sustainable farming practices. Given the technologically advanced world in which we live, and the fact that farmers must provide for a further 900 million people by the turn of the century, with fewer farmers and an ever decreasing land base, obtaining and disseminating this information to farmers is paramount.
The underlying constraint currently limiting the empowerment of farmers and the development of a truly sustainable environment is commitment. The development of a sustainable environment cannot be achieved solely with the commitment of farmers. Governments, industry, and the public must also share a firm commitment to this effort and must demonstrate their commitment. They must demonstrate their commitment to farmers by empowering them as the primary stewards of the environment to effect sustainable change.
COMPARISON BETWEEN CURRENT CANADIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY AND COMMITMENTS MADE
Not completed
CANADIAN ACTIVITIES EVOLVING THROUGH THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS
Not completed
OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED FORA
Committee for the Promotion of Assistance to Cooperatives (COPAC)
International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
SUGGESTED READINGS AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Consolidated Trade Policy, GATT, (Ottawa:CFA, November 1993).
. "Focus on the Future", CFA Discussion Paper, (Ottawa: CFA, July 1992).
. Policy Position on the Future of Agriculture and Rural Areas, (Ottawa: CFA, February 1992).
. Statement on Sustainable Agriculture, (Ottawa: CFA, 1991).
International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). Development of the Rural Areas; An International Perspective, World Farmers Congress, 30th IFAP General Conference, June 1-5, 1992, Qu‚bec City, Qu‚bec.
. Newsletter (ongoing)
L'Union des Producteurs Agricoles. L'UPA … l'heure des choix durables, des orentative en matiere d'environnment, (UPA: Longueuil, Qu‚bec, November, 1993).
World Farmers' Times. (ongoing)
Information Sources:
Canadian Federation of Agriculture, 75 Albert Street, Suite 1101, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5E7, tel (613) 236-3633, fax (613) 236-5749.
Cite as: Projet de société: Canada and Agenda 21.Winnipeg: IISD, 1995. Online. Internet. http://iisd.ca/worldsd/canada/projet/c32.htm.
