Climate Change

'Family farmers need technical assistance to adapt to climate change impacts'

Most increases in agricultural yields required to feed a world population set to touch 9 billion by 2050 will take place in rural regions and will be driven by small family farmers, according to the FAO

 
By DTE Staff
Published: Monday 23 January 2017

Family farmers in developing countries need to equip themselves with information and technology tools to feed a growing global population, Food and Agriculture Director-General José Graziano da Silva said at the G20 agricultural ministers meeting.

Family farmers contribute significantly to food security. Worldwide, around 90 per cent of farms are either operated by an individual or a family. But smallholder family farmers are vulnerable in the face of climate change. (read article)

“Millions of small family farmers need technical and financial assistance to be more resilient and adapt to the impacts of climate change. They must be able to stay on their land, produce their own food and also have access to markets,” Graziano da Silva added.

Most increases in agricultural yields required to feed a world population set to touch 9 billion by 2050 will take place in rural regions and will be driven by small family farmers, according to the FAO.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can have a profound impact on the efficiency, resilience and inclusion of poor family farmers,” Graziano da Silva said.

Earlier, FAO, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, had come up with an e-agriculture strategy to help countries use information and communication technology to drive rural development. Primarily focusing on agriculture, ICTs can help boost agricultural development by improving farmers’ access to information.

ICTs include devices, networks, services and applications, including internet-based technologies and tools such as telephones, mobiles, televisions, radio and satellites. As agriculture becomes more knowledge intensive, access to right information at the right time makes a huge difference in the livelihood to small holders.

 

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