Private Sector Mechanism Statement: Farmers’ role in Responsible Agricultural Investment

I was in attendance during the final negotiations on Responsible Agriculture Investment, and I echo the IAFN’s statement regarding the results:

In Rome, private sector representatives have expressed extreme dismay with the lack of recognition of the role of farmers in new Principles on Responsible Agricultural Investment. The Principles, to be endorsed by the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in October, fail to recognise that farmers – in all their sizes – are a vital part of our agricultural system.

The document as currently worded suggests that being a farmer is not a valid self-identity – having to pick whether they are “smallholders” or “business”. It disrespects their established role around other UN processes and most of all it ignores their primary role in producing the world’s food.  Private sector representatives have spoken on the Plenary floor, stating that this is a sad message to take back to farmer organisations around the world.