1. Regional Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction& Management 1st - 6th November (David O. Otieno)

2. Common Risks & Disasters in Africa
Famine (food Insecurity)
Environmental related disasters (Droughts, floods etc)
Household Insecurity
Disease: Human/Livestock

3. Possible causes of the Risks/Disasters
Extreme poverty - Inadequate disposable household income.
Unfair trade relationships – middlemen/brokerage
Inadequate markets and poor pricing of farm produce.
High population growth
Unemployment and Corruption.
Regional insecurity/political instability

4. Nature of Smallholder Agriculture in Africa
Average land ownership: 1 acre shared between cash and food crops.
Main cash crops are; coffee, tea, fruits, flowers, vegetables, sugar-cane, cocoa among others.
In Kenya, the Smallholder agricultural sector contributes to over 80% of the total national food income.

5. Cont.
Nearly 95% of the smallholder land acreage is owned by men while women account for over 70% of the workforce in the sector.
About 70% of Africa’s agricultural produce comes from the small-scale producers.
Smallholder producers contribute nearly 40% of the world’s food production and therefore form a critical segments in the food production chain.

6. A typical Smallholder fruit farming in Western Kenya

7. Smallholder Agriculture: A disaster risk reduction & Management measure?
Hunger –the greatest disaster facing development Nations especially in Africa.
Smallholder agriculture provide the best avenue for cultivating indigenous food varieties that are weather resistant (Self- sufficiency at household level eases the burden at National and Global levels).

8. Cont.
Majority of the smallholder producers are the victims of the effects of hunger and therefore understand the real intricacies!
Global food crisis has been partly caused by wanton destruction of environment with the smallholder producers being the lead agents. Solution? They should be involved in finding solutions.

9. Traditional Smallholder farming methods
Traditional Inter-cropping

10. Modern technology in smallholder farming (thro.Capacity building)
Modern Rotational Farming

11. Anticipated benefits from an empowered smallholder sector
Reduced hunger – hence reduced incidence of disaster.
Better pricing for farm produce
Complementing development efforts by investment into Community Projects through improved disposable incomes
Improved Livelihoods at household levels.
Increased awareness – markets environment and social equity.

12. Investment into community projects with disposable income
Constructed Borehole
Open Pan water

13. Role of development agencies in disaster risk reduction through Smallholder agriculture
Facilitate the organization of smallholder producers into lobby groups to help advocate for their interests within their respective Governments.
Assist the smallholder farmers to form strong associations and empower them through training and other capacity building initiatives.
Encourage and strengthen bio-diversity based smallholder agriculture which is crucial for food security

14. Cont. Role of Development Agencies
Provision of capacity building support in sectors such as financial management, Group management, good agricultural practices, Value-addition and market access (the Gacharage Self-help group in Central Kenya is a good example).
Reducing the market-chain for smallholder producers by facilitating direct linkage between producers and buyers.

15. Role of Governments in disaster risk reduction & management
Through extension services, promote the employment of modern farming technology for greater agricultural production.
Facilitate the provision of information to farmers on climate change, trade and other global environmental issues.
Facilitate farmer linkage to ready markets through improved market systems, land amalgamation and strengthening of co-operative systems.

16. Cont. Role of Governments
Support the improvement/development of local infrastructure especially within rural areas where majority of smallholder producers reside.
Resolve land ownership disputes/issues to safeguard against encroachment into water catchment areas.

17. Recommendations/Way forward?
Governments to support Smallholder agriculture through incentives and reduction of taxes on farm inputs.
Lobbying with lending institutions to venture into partnership with smallholder producers. Many banks are still shy in dealing with smallholder producers.
Promote the cultivation of traditional crops that once provided food security among households.
Enhance global environmental conservation campaigns from the micro to macro levels.

18. Cont.
Provision of consistent security especially at household and community level.
Institute good governance and accountability on allocated development funds.
Increase funding for small agricultural enterprise development through devolved funds (by Governments and development agencies).
Development partners and the donor community to put more emphasis on smallholder and food production in their development agenda.

19. Challenge to this forum.
Are we able to design harmonized methodologies of managing risks and disasters within our respective countries and as regional blocks?
Are we able to develop more information/experience sharing networks especially among Commonwealth partners involved in various disaster related project in Africa?

20. Answer:
Yes – We Can!

21. Conclusion
Who Feeds the World?
“It is women and small farmers who are the primary food providers in the third world country. Their small farms are more productive than most industrial farms”
Respect for the Earth

22. .
Thank You!
(Ahsanteni Sana)