#CWA2014 Family farmers – better stewards of earth

Family farmers were on Monday hailed as better stewards of the earth who provide safe food for the populace of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The role of family farmers was acknowledged during the first seminar of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2014. The seminar’s main aim was the promotion of dialogue and shared knowledge and experiences on family farming and its role in revitalizing agriculture and rural economy. A definition of the way forward on policy action on the transformation of agriculture through family farming is the expected outcome of the seminar.

Family farming, considered the back-bone of food systems and food security in the Region, is at the centre of activities of the six-day CWA. Such farming is done predominantly by family members on limited access to land and capital with the head of the household participating fully in the production process.

In the Caribbean and Latin America, family farming accounts for more than 80 per cent of agriculture production and generate more than 50 per cent of agriculture employment, said chair of the seminar, Ms. Desiree Field-Ridley, Officer in Charge of the Directorate of Trade and Economic Integration, CARICOM Secretariat.

According to Dr. Deep Ford of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, family farmers played their role “phenomenally well”” but called for public policy that would address the needs of small farmers.

The CWA is the major, annual agricultural event of the Caribbean and will be held at the Suriname Chamber of Commerce over the next six days, under them theme, `Transforming Caribbean agriculture through family farming’.