Making small-scale farming more sustainable: the role of international organisations

Small-scale farmers in the global South are becoming increasingly exposed to political, economic, social, technological, legislative and environmental risks. This is due to a number of factors such as globalisation, climate change, social unrest and increasing conflicts around the globe. This is an alarming trend as small-scale agriculture makes up the largest share of global employment. According to the FAO, about two-thirds of the developing world’s 3 billion rural people live in about 475 million small farm households; while at the same time, it is estimated that small scale farmers supply a majority of global food demand. As the number of risks facing rural communities increases, it is essential that new forms of engagement be found to ensure the livelihood of rural communities be protected and the sustainability of small scale farming be maintained.

A possibly solution lies in the creation of bottom-up agricultural value chains - with small scale farmers at the driver's seat.

One major obstacle facing small-scale farmers is the rise of multinational supermarket chains and commercial farming in the developing world as rural communities are increasingly struggling to compete with larger scale producers and food importers. These changing dynamics have led to small-scale farmers becoming increasingly economically marginalised - as products from multinational supermarkets are often sourced from commercial farmers and are cheaper, produced at reliable intervals and are of more consistent quality. Furthermore, consumers are increasingly demanding out-of-season foodstuffs and more aesthetically appealing produce and a greater variety. An example of this includes South Africa’s Shoprite supermarket chain, which has led to the proliferation of affordable, quality foodstuffs in countries such as Angola, Malawi and Zambia - while at the same time threatening the livelihood of small scale farmers.

A Shoprite in Nigeria | Jamie Tubers, Wikimedia Commons

To respond to these changing global dynamics, organisation such as the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched various initiatives to support the development of small-scale farming to improve food security and to feed the world’s growing population. These include the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) support for small farmers through affordable finance.

While it is difficult for small scale farmers to compete with large scale farmers when it comes to end-user access and market share, organisations such as the IFAD and the FAO have emphasised the importance of short supply chains and value addition in order to  create new markets for agricultural goods produced by small scale farmers and to create sustainable partnerships between downstream firms and small upstream producers.

This can be done through, for example, creating partnerships between firms that purchase agricultural goods for further production and small scale farmers that to ensure skill and technology transfers to rural communities while creating new sources for agricultural products - while ensuring farmers are paid market prices. An example of this includes the ‘Kokodola’ project in Nigeria - a public-private partnership between Ferrero foods, Oxfam, and Farmers’ Development Union (FADU) in Nigeria. This partnership has allowed farmers to incorporate more sustainable practices into farming, such as more sustainable use of fertiliser - while allowing farmers to produce cocoa that is more competitive on international markets.

However, in order for such initiatives to be realised elsewhere, it is important that these initiatives be combined with the creation and strengthening of agricultural cooperatives for small scale farmers. This will allow for farmers to collectively bargain for fairer wages; ensure greater advocacy for the needs of rural communities, increased benefits such as healthcare and retirement assistance; facilitate skills transfer; and strengthen the overall resilience of rural communities while ensuring better food security for growing urban populations. By utilising agricultural cooperatives, farmers can ensure that policy is made and created where their impacts will be felt most - in local communities.

This will require engagement from a variety of of stakeholders and broad policy reforms.

First, local and national governments should work towards securing land tenure for rural and peri-urban farmers. This will allow for more productive use of agricultural land and greater access to credit and finance for small scale farmers. Overall, land tenure will ensure greater sustainability in agriculture and better livelihoods for marginalised communities.

Second, donors should would towards capacitating and funding local NGOs and Unions that work with and strive to establish agricultural collectives in rural and peri-urban communities in the global South.

Third, national and local governments and funders need towards improving infrastructure for small scale farmers. While there is a large demand for mechanisation and electric, transport and irrigation infrastructure in the global South, there is an acute shortage of ‘bankable’, prepared projects. Funding organisations and governments need to work towards establishing adequate project preparation facilities that relate to small-scale farming. Here the role of organisations such as IFAD, Grameen Bank and other sources of local microfinance is essential.

Finally, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) which bring together farmer collectives, private firms and local and national government should be encouraged through policy making and capacity building in the public sector.

Doing so can assist developing countries in achieving the SDGs, namely Goal 2: Achieving zero hunger; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production and Goal 11:  Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It is essential that small farmers be empowered and that their role in our collective prosperity be realised by governments, international organisations the private sector and non-profit organisations. Small farming holds key to future cities that are prosperous, resilient and sustainable - and it is time that the the keys be handed to farmers themselves.