Impact of financial crisis to small scale men and women farmers in SEA countries Mr. Mudzakkir Vice Chairperson, AFA Mr. Mudzakkir Vice Chairperson, AFA

Agri ‘s vital role in food, livelihood security and poverty alleviation GDP contribution: 10.1 (Thailand-32.9% (Cambodia) Agri is source of basic food of ASEAN people Significant number of people in rural areas Majority in rural areas engaged in agriculture Small scale men and women farmers form majority of poor in many ASEAN countries. GDP contribution: 10.1 (Thailand-32.9% (Cambodia) Agri is source of basic food of ASEAN people Significant number of people in rural areas Majority in rural areas engaged in agriculture Small scale men and women farmers form majority of poor in many ASEAN countries.

Our understanding of financial crisis The crisis originated in USA Due to unregulated financial markets Happened during food crisis and climate change effects Significantly caused by excessive speculation in the commodities markets The crisis originated in USA Due to unregulated financial markets Happened during food crisis and climate change effects Significantly caused by excessive speculation in the commodities markets

Effects of financial crisis Demand for traditional export agri products dropped Food price volatility Problems with contract farming Less income, high food prices and high price of inputs Migrant workers out of jobs too Demand for traditional export agri products dropped Food price volatility Problems with contract farming Less income, high food prices and high price of inputs Migrant workers out of jobs too

How do we cope? Educate farmers about economic household management Ensure men and women farmers’ security to land, water, seeds resources Practice diversified, sustainable agriculture, in a “self sufficiency approach” Organize commodity based clusters for cooperative production and marketing of safe, organic products Educate farmers about economic household management Ensure men and women farmers’ security to land, water, seeds resources Practice diversified, sustainable agriculture, in a “self sufficiency approach” Organize commodity based clusters for cooperative production and marketing of safe, organic products

Main recommendations Identify key social protection measures for farmers and put adequate resources to implement them Increased investments for the production and marketing of sustainable agri crops owned, controlled, managed by small men and women farmers Increased partnership between farmers, NGOs, government organizations Identify key social protection measures for farmers and put adequate resources to implement them Increased investments for the production and marketing of sustainable agri crops owned, controlled, managed by small men and women farmers Increased partnership between farmers, NGOs, government organizations

thank you for listening