FAO Economic and Social Development Department Innovation in family farming The State of Food and Agriculture 2014 FAO Economic and Social Development Department Kostas Stamoulis Director FAO Agricultural Development Economics Division

More than 570 million farms in the world Number of farms by region World total: 570 million #sofa2014

Family farms: Why we care ??  More than 90 percent of farms in the world are family farms (500 million out of 570 million).  Family farms operate about 75 percent of farm land  They produce about 80 percent of food.  Family farms are diverse in size and other traits.

Most of the world’s farms are small… Share of farms, by land size class 72% <1 ha 12% 1–2 ha 10% 2–5 ha 3% 5–10 ha 1% 10–20 ha 2% >20 ha #sofa2014

… but most of the world’s farmland is on large farms Distribution of farms and farmland worldwide #sofa2014

 Feed the world  Manage agricultural resources sustainably  Raise rural incomes  But they face many challenges … Family farms are therefore key to:

 Innovation means doing things better.  Agricultural innovation systems include all institutions and individuals that enable farmers to do things better.  Overarching components: –enabling environment, including access to markets –agricultural R&D for family farms –inclusive agricultural advisory services Meeting these challenges requires INNOVATION

 Large family farms – similar to large business ventures  Small or medium-sized farms that: –are already commercial (generating a surplus for the market) –have potential to become commercial  Subsistence smallholders with little or no potential for commercial production Different family farms need different things from an agricultural innovation system #sofa2014

 Countries need to invest more in agricultural R&D and advisory services.  Inclusive and participatory research and advisory services can help meet the needs of smaller family farms.  Public and private sectors have complementary roles to play.  Agricultural producers’ groups can help ensure that the voices of family farmers are heard. Agricultural R&D and advisory services

 Family farms are key to global food security.  Family farms are very diverse.  We need diverse policies that are tailored to their needs.  Through innovation family farms can: – feed the world, – reduce poverty – protect natural resources To conclude

FAO Economic and Social Development Department #sofa2014 For more information … The State of Food and Agriculture 2014 Innovation in family farming FAO‘s major annual flagship publication Available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese