Within the framework of the 47th Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 47) convening virtually next 8-11 February, we are happy to inform you that the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) will be co-hosting together with World Bank and Just Rural Transition a side event titled “Listen Up: Engaging Farmers in the Process of Repurposing Agriculture Policy” on 9 February at 01:00 PM CET.

 

Annual public support to the global agriculture sector amounts to some $700 billion. Yet much of this sum incentivizes farming systems that drive biodiversity loss, reduce soil fertility, and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As rural communities grapple with such mounting pressures, governments are increasingly recognizing the significant opportunity public agricultural support represents to deliver unprecedented social, environmental, and economic goods. However, if repurposing efforts do not meaningfully engage farmers, they are bound to fail. Farmers, after all, are among the most consequential ‘end-users’ of policy and the most critical environmental stewards.

This side event will discuss the opportunities and challenges in meaningfully engaging farmers in policy repurposing efforts, featuring both farmers and senior government representatives who have experienced successful consultative policy reform processes within the African context. In the run-up to COP26, this event is part of a broader set of efforts led by the UK Presidency to build momentum for repurposing agricultural policy.

Invited speakers include:

  • Theo de Jager, President, World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO)
  • Abdelmajid Ezzar, President, Union Tunisine de l’Agriculture et de la Peche (UTAP) and WFO Board Member for Africa
  • Martien van Nieuwkoop, Global Director Agriculture and Food, World Bank

To confirm your participation, please register by 8 February 2021.