The 43rd Session of the FAO Conference took place in Rome from July 1 to 7, 2023. During the conference, representatives of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) gave voice to the needs and concerns of global farmers.
In this context, Ms Cristina Chirico (CIA, Agricoltori Italiani, Italy) and Ms Josiane Irakarama (INGABO Syndicate, Rwanda) joined two high-level roundtables where they presented the farmers’ perspectives on integrated flood risk management and water infrastructures, respectively.
Addressing an audience of governments and FAO officials, they emphasised that involving farmers and their organisations in the assessment and decision-making process is key to identifying solutions which are sustainable for people, the economies and the environment.
Photo credit: ©FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto. Copyright ©FAO.
On July 4, Ms Chirico joined the roundtable on Integrated Flood Risk Management.
She brought to the table the recent Emilia Romagna (IT) experience of catastrophic drought, stressing that farmers are the most exposed to the effects of these severe meteorological events, but that the “society, as a whole, needs to rethink its relationship with nature” if we want to manage and prevent these episodes.
Moreover, she underlined that to effectively involve farmers and their organised structures in the planning and implementation of the integrated Risk Management Strategies, adequate financial and support schemes are needed.
She closed by highlighting that the WFO and its members are ready to engage with governments, FAO, and other UN agencies to present their best practices and work together to avoid future catastrophes that could threaten agriculture and food security.
Photo credit: ©FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto. Copyright ©FAO.
On July 5, Ms Irakarama brought the farmers’ perspective into the Water Infrastructure morning roundtable. She underlined the need for more significant investments and resources to be allocated to water management initiatives based on local community knowledge because “we, farmers, are the ones who are aware of what has been working for us for ages.” – she stated.
By saying that, she highlighted the need to recognise farmers as co-owners rather than beneficiaries of water management projects, as they are the ones who implement the majority of those projects and infrastructures on the field and the most impacted than anyone else in another sector.”
At the Conference, it was announced that FAO Biennial Theme of 2024-2025 will be: “Integrated Water Resources Management for the Four Betters” – better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life.