Table of Contents 1.International Year of Family Farming – An Opportunity 2.Family Farming in the Caribbean – Conceptual Challenges 3.Small/Family Farming in the Caribbean – Characteristics 4.Alternative Vision and Family Farming – Policy and Program Priorities 5.FAO’s support for Family Farming in the Caribbean 1.International Year of Family Farming – An Opportunity 2.Family Farming in the Caribbean – Conceptual Challenges 3.Small/Family Farming in the Caribbean – Characteristics 4.Alternative Vision and Family Farming – Policy and Program Priorities 5.FAO’s support for Family Farming in the Caribbean

International Year of Family Farming – An Opportunity BASIS: BASIS: The United Nations has declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) in recognition of:  Important role that family farming plays in eradicating hunger and conserving natural resources globally. In LAC family farming accounts for more than 80% of agricultural production and generates more than 50% of agricultural employment. BASIS: BASIS: The United Nations has declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) in recognition of:  Important role that family farming plays in eradicating hunger and conserving natural resources globally. In LAC family farming accounts for more than 80% of agricultural production and generates more than 50% of agricultural employment. PURPOSE: PURPOSE: An opportunity to consider our approaches to food and nutrition security and agricultural development given current global, regional and national food system challenges. How we address family farming is important dimension of our response.

Fact on Small Farms and Family Farming in the Caribbean Small farms and family farms have contributed greatly to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean – Rural garden farming on small plots throughout CARICOM region selling vegetables, roots, fruits into local and central markets. Growing grain crops, fruit crops, livestock, harvesting forestry and fisheries resources for export. Small farms and family farms have contributed greatly to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean – Rural garden farming on small plots throughout CARICOM region selling vegetables, roots, fruits into local and central markets. Growing grain crops, fruit crops, livestock, harvesting forestry and fisheries resources for export.

Family Farming – Conceptual Challenges How might we and do we need to definitively differentiate small farms and family farms? What is the definition of family farming in a Caribbean context? When you say family farm what does it mean to you? Family does not easily fit a template, therefore family farm is not readily defined in the different social and economic contexts of the Caribbean. Agricultural census data is less linked to family structure and income and more to farm size and crops.

Family Farming – Conceptual Challenges The definition of Family Farming – wide definition of farming where key characteristics include:  Limited access to land and capital resources;  Predominantly family labour is used with the head of the household participating directly in the production process;  Farming is the main source of household income for the family nucleus. The definition of Family Farming – wide definition of farming where key characteristics include:  Limited access to land and capital resources;  Predominantly family labour is used with the head of the household participating directly in the production process;  Farming is the main source of household income for the family nucleus. How many family farms are there in the Caribbean if we consider conventional criteria: How many family farms are there in the Caribbean if we consider conventional criteria:

Family Farming – Conceptual Challenges Can a farm where the Head of the Farm encourages the children to think of not going into farming be classified as a family farm or a sustainable family farm ? Can a farm where the owner is absentee and has another profession be considered a family farm? Can a farm where farming is not really a chosen job/profession but the only or least preferred option for earning a living be considered a family farm? Should a landless or very part time farmer be considered a family farm? Aspects of Caribbean rural context that raises some further questions Affects targeting, developing programs, allocating resources

What the data says about Small/Family Farming in the Caribbean (1) 90% of the farms are less than five acres 55% of the farm area occupied by small farmers 59% of farms are classified as diversified 90% of the farms are less than five acres 55% of the farm area occupied by small farmers 59% of farms are classified as diversified 50% of small farm households have >5 persons Men represent 70% of the farm owners. Average age of male/female small farmers is 48/55 56% of farms are owned by the farmer. Youth show little interest in farming. 50% of small farm households have >5 persons Men represent 70% of the farm owners. Average age of male/female small farmers is 48/55 56% of farms are owned by the farmer. Youth show little interest in farming. Less than 25% of the household income generally comes from the farm Less than 10% of households get majority of income from the farm. Principal source of income is off farm - employment, remittances, pensions, are other sources of incomes. Less than 25% of the household income generally comes from the farm Less than 10% of households get majority of income from the farm. Principal source of income is off farm - employment, remittances, pensions, are other sources of incomes.

Development policy has negatively or at best not addressed family farm growth and development! Family Farming and Development Policy We have not paid attention to or promoted why “family” is important to farming? Too Technological and economic an approach – Green Revolution programs and Washington consensus policies have not served family farms well. We have given the “family” good reasons to abandon farming – policy has not enabled an acceptable livelihood: labour, service and industrial workers have a minimum wage; attention to farm family incomes abandoned. Large scale commercial farms have been encouraged/promoted/given concessions and targeted at the expense of family farms.

The Triple Bottom Line Agricultural Revitalization and Food and Nutrition Security Alternative Vision and Approach needed Family Farms are central to this vision and approach

Family farming is important to this vision Family farms are better stewards of the earth, producers of safe food. Small/medium sized family farms use resources more efficiently. Small/medium sized family farms distribute income more equitably. Corporate globalized farming methods threaten sustainability.

An alternative Vision and Type of Family Farming in the Caribbean? Too small is not beautiful. Income and Inclusion. Only a fraction (~ 30%) of small holder farmers can be expected to succeed as entrepreneurs in competitive food and agriculture chains. Support for family farming need not and should not be done in opposition to some larger-scale, specialized farming. New policies and programs needed -- linked to family ownership, succession planning, commitment and promoting a new concept of family agriculture. Promote a focus on multiple and differentiated markets and demand points – replacement of imports, organic, tourism, high value, diaspora.

A Targeted Policy for Family Farming Incomes generated from family small farming need to be higher – investment and productivity facilitation policies. Risks and uncertainties in the sector make family farmers unattractive to lending institutions – pricing and crop insurance policies. Land division within families – succession planning legislation/regulatory systems. Family farmers need to keep records and know the financial state of their enterprise – entrepreneurship, partnership and business development policy. Changing family structures needs increased recognition – integrated social and economic planning of health, education agriculture policy.

Advocacy for Family Farming Caribbean Family Farming Working Group: Working Group has been formed to serve as a catalyst to develop and implement an agenda to promote increased development of family farms in the Caribbean region. Membership includes FAO, CAFAN, IICA, CARDI, UWI, CTA, IFAD. Caribbean Family Farming Working Group: Working Group has been formed to serve as a catalyst to develop and implement an agenda to promote increased development of family farms in the Caribbean region. Membership includes FAO, CAFAN, IICA, CARDI, UWI, CTA, IFAD. A Regional Dialogue on Family Farming has identified five key thematic areas : Public policy to support family farming technology development, extension, and investment. Information and communication systems to facilitate data collection and analysis and the preparation of publications on family farming. Succession planning to promote an increase of youth and women in family farming. Business and economic planning and analysis for enterprise development. Sustainable development of family farms emphasizing building resilience and reducing risk.

Alternative vision of family farming requires taking control of our Livelihoods, our Food Systems and saving our Planet Our food choices have sacrificed our health - processed foods, obesity and non-communicable diseases. 25c to grower $3 to $5 to processor Remainder to Fast Food Chain Need consumption and nutrition policy approaches to encourage families in the Caribbean to eat and drink local products – address the reality of externally based consumption in our countries. Ford’s Fried Chicken

Main messages Establish a clear concept of family farming that enables policy to be targeted to the heterogeneous collection of producers involved and differing sociocultural and historical contexts. Embrace a new concept of Agriculture and Family Farming that emphasizes the triple bottom line – People, Profits and Planet. Implement policies and reform our institutions to better serve as architects, incentives, facilitators of a new vision of agriculture and family farming.

FAO remains committed to Family Farmers in the Caribbean Jamaica, Small Ruminant Production: FAO implemented a recent, two year project with the overall objective of reducing poverty and enhancing food security for vulnerable groups. Under the project, FAO and the Government of Jamaica focused on creating a market-driven strategy for increased small ruminant production while targeting family farms. FAO Assistance: FAO Assistance: The Jamaica Goat Farmers Association was the main institutional stakeholder and beneficiary of this component of the project. The project sought to enhance small ruminant production among clusters of farmers in selected communities through the demonstration and adoption of best practices and innovation in husbandry, breeding, housing, and nutrition of goats. The cluster concept brought communities together and provided a forum where farmers can learn new techniques and share information with each other. Jamaica, Small Ruminant Production: FAO implemented a recent, two year project with the overall objective of reducing poverty and enhancing food security for vulnerable groups. Under the project, FAO and the Government of Jamaica focused on creating a market-driven strategy for increased small ruminant production while targeting family farms. FAO Assistance: FAO Assistance: The Jamaica Goat Farmers Association was the main institutional stakeholder and beneficiary of this component of the project. The project sought to enhance small ruminant production among clusters of farmers in selected communities through the demonstration and adoption of best practices and innovation in husbandry, breeding, housing, and nutrition of goats. The cluster concept brought communities together and provided a forum where farmers can learn new techniques and share information with each other. St Vincent, Georgetown Craft Makers Association : Local community development organization that had the idea to revive the traditional bamboo craft to generate income opportunities for local youth. With the assistance of FAO, the community group formalized its status as a registered non-profit organization. FAO Assistance: FAO Assistance: Two local trainers were hired. The staff of the forestry department assisted in allocating the bamboo resources and supported the transport of the cut bamboo. By the end of the project 15 persons, mainly young women were trained in harvesting and processing bamboo and weaving of different types of bamboo baskets and items. They also were advised on how to set prices and market their wares, with a view to tapping into both the local and the growing tourism market. St Vincent, Georgetown Craft Makers Association : Local community development organization that had the idea to revive the traditional bamboo craft to generate income opportunities for local youth. With the assistance of FAO, the community group formalized its status as a registered non-profit organization. FAO Assistance: FAO Assistance: Two local trainers were hired. The staff of the forestry department assisted in allocating the bamboo resources and supported the transport of the cut bamboo. By the end of the project 15 persons, mainly young women were trained in harvesting and processing bamboo and weaving of different types of bamboo baskets and items. They also were advised on how to set prices and market their wares, with a view to tapping into both the local and the growing tourism market.

Let’s work together!