Climate Action 2011-2012

Modern extension services must increase farmers’ capacity
to engage in two-way information sharing – between experts
in research and farmers themselves who have essential
information on farming. Research and extension should
be functionally linked and there should be pluralism in
the approaches to implementing this form of education.
Mobilisation of the scientific, donor, business, NGO and
farmer communities is needed to improve knowledge sharing
and to help reliable small businesses, such as agro-dealers, to
be able to adopt new practices and technologies.
Additionally, efforts should be increased to promote
sustainable agri-food systems throughout the product
cycle. In 2010, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) estimated that poorly developed systems for
handling, storing, packaging, transporting and marketing
of agricultural products in developing countries resulted in
post-harvest losses ranging from 15 per cent to a staggering
50 per cent. Investment in food infrastructure and handling
could reduce losses, and improve food safety. Developed
countries also face losses due to food waste from harvest,
through delivery to food services, and in households. Waste
is worst in fresh produce which delivers vital nutrients to
humans around the globe.
supporting resilient
AgriculturAl mArkets
Agriculture is in desperate need of capital investment,
especially to feed nine billion people in 2050 and reduce
the number of people living in poverty. This is particularly
important in Africa where 61 per cent of rural people are
living in extreme poverty – many of whom rely heavily on
agriculture as a source of income.
On average, only 16 per cent
of crop yields ever enter
international markets.
inputs. They must not interfere with transparent markets, as
in a sense all market users are speculators, and are currently
a valuable source of capital flowing back into agriculture.
Mechanisms must be developed for price and market
information sharing. In spring 2011, the FAO Food Price
Index was reaching historic highs. Particularly for farmers in
food-insecure areas, good price transparency improves fair
contracting and encourages regional trade among foodinsecure
countries, for instance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Knowledge can only grow when
more farmers have access to
improved and new ICTs.
Information on markets must be collected regionally,
including informal markets. On average, only 16 per cent
of crop yields ever enter international markets (WTO). Yet,
trade in commodities may be far higher than understood due
to informal markets, particularly in developing countries.
FArming needs security And
stAbility
Farming can only function where there is the rule of law,
personal security, land tenure security and peace. Knowledge
can only grow when more farmers have access to improved
and new ICTs to help provide them with the extension
services and market information they need. Environmental
stewardship can only be supported by acknowledging farmers’
role as the gatekeepers of the world’s natural resources.
Putting farming first is the key to continued, sustainable
development. Agricultural policies should address the need
for further productivity increases, be science-based and
farmer-centered, and allow for a mosaic of solutions to be
accessed by farmers.
82 climateactionprogramme.org
Governments need to encourage investment in
agribusiness. Price caps will fundamentally destroy that
investment. Regulation is also important for private
investors. Governments must harmonise regulatory systems
for food safety, tolerances, maximum residue levels and
so on, to remove the unnecessary challenges associated
with commodity exports. This also applies to imports. For
instance, a programme is currently under way to address
seed market problems in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC). The project, implemented by the
Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources Policy Analysis
Network (FANRPAN), seeks to support the creation of
regional seed markets by harmonising seed policies and
legislation across SADC member states.
Global leaders must encourage the creation and use of
transparent markets and national/regional commodity
exchanges and avoid export bans on food and agricultural
Lucy Muchoki is the Chief Executive Officer of the PanAAAC and a
spokesperson of the Farming First coalition.
The Pan-African Agribusiness and Agroindustry Consortium
(PanAAAC) is a private sector driven platform bringing together African
agribusiness and agro industry value chains and support services to
enable them to access information, knowledge, strategic partnerships
and financial remediation. Farming First is a global agricultural
coalition representing the world’s farmers, scientists, engineers and
industry as well as agricultural development organisations.
Pan African Agribusiness and Agroindustry Consortium
PO Box 2542 – 00200, Muthaiga North, Parkside, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2371307, 2213303, 2213304
Fax: +254 20 2246737
Email: lmuchoki@panaac.org
Web: www.panaac.org; www.farmingfirst.org