Farmers must be at the centre of conversations about the future of food systems. As essential actors in global food production, their involvement is crucial to achieving resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.

That was the core message brought by the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) to the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4), held from 27 to 29 July 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and co-hosted by the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Italy.

As a key milestone in the Decade of Action, the Summit convened to review progress made since the 2021 Food Systems Summit, building on the momentum of the first Stocktake in 2023 (UNFSS+2), and served as a platform to strengthen collaboration and unlock finance for better food systems.

The WFO’s delegation, including Secretary General Andrea Porro, Luisa Volpe, Advocacy, Policy and Partnerships Practice Leader, Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha, CEO of the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF), and Peer Ederer, a member of the WFO Scientific Council, actively participated in the conference discussions.

Why does the food systems transformation need farmers?

On 28 July, WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro engaged in two pivotal discussions focused on the critical role of the farming sector in transforming food systems.

One of these was the side event “Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Livestock as a Catalyst for Investment, Innovation, and Resilience”, led by the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cameroon, in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, ILRI, Soil4Climate Inc., and the Global Sustainable Livestock Coalition (GSLC).

©UN Food Systems Coordination Hub | Flickr

During his intervention, he highlighted the role of livestock farming in providing diverse and nutrient-rich diets. He also drew attention to the sector’s broader contributions, such as supporting circular and regenerative farming systems, enhancing soil fertility and helping preserve biodiversity.

Continuing the day’s agenda, the WFO Secretary General participated in the Food Producers-led session entitled “Farmers’ organizations: Key enablers in transforming food systems”, led by the Agroecology Coalition, the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development, and the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF).

©UN Food Systems Coordination Hub | Flickr

Speaking at the session, he reiterated that food systems transformation is only possible when farmers are recognised and supported as central actors. Still, much needs to change:

• The Approach — Farmers must be meaningfully involved in shaping solutions, not simply tasked with implementing them;
• The Priorities — Strategies must reflect the day-to-day realities of farming and the complexity of challenges on the ground;
• The Conditions — Access to innovation, infrastructure, fair markets, and enabling policies is essential for delivering results;
• The Principle — Sustainability cannot come at the expense of food production or the people who produce it.

He also reflected on the crucial role of farmers’ organisations in international discussions, highlighting their function as connectors and focal points in these dialogues.

WATCH THE SESSION HERE

Championing Nutrition in Food Systems: The Farmer’s Perspective

On 29 July, Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha, CEO of the WFO Member Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF), represented the farmers’ perspective at the Ministerial Roundtable on “Food Sovereignty – Exploring National Approaches to Accelerating the Food Systems Transition,“ led by the Governments of Italy and Ethiopia.

Addressing in front of ministers, official delegates, and UN representatives, he stated a clear message:

“Nutrition must not be an afterthought. It is a core outcome of food systems transformation.”

That means supporting farmers to grow diverse, nutrient-rich crops; improving infrastructure and education around storage, processing, and food preparation; and ensuring that communities have access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. It also means integrating nutrition objectives into agricultural policies and investments, recognising the direct role that farmers play in shaping dietary outcomes.

©WFO

The WFO’s revised 2024 Policy on Sustainable Global Food Security and Nutrition affirms the importance of empowering farmers as full partners in the design and delivery of food and nutrition strategies.

Advocating for Farmers’ Seat at the Decision-Making Table

The participation of WFO delegates in the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) reaffirmed that transforming food systems is only possible when farmers are meaningfully included in decision-making processes, contributing their experiences and on-the-ground realities.

While farmers are ready to lead this transformation, they cannot do it alone.

WFO remains firmly committed to advocating for the recognition of farmers’ knowledge, values, and leadership across international fora and urges a partnership-based approach across the food value chain as a lever for transitioning food systems towards greater sustainability.

Cover photo by ©UN Food Systems Coordination Hub | Flickr