The IICA Day was held in Washington to emphasize the importance and contribution of small farmers, including women, to the Latin America regional and national economies.
Washington, November 14, 2012 (IICA). As part of the celebrations of IICA’s 70th anniversary for the 7th Annual ‘IICA Day’, the Office in the United States organized a panel with participation of producers and experts to discuss the challenges faced by small producers in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General, OAS opened the meeting stating that “Building capacity among small farmers to give them the tools to succeed is essential. This means access to information on good farming practices, weather and market prices for crops and learning how to build a small business”.
This year, IICA Day was dedicated to the crucial role of small farmers for food security and the challenges they face to access demanding markets and the threats posed to production in fragile environments due to climate change.
David Hatch, IICA Representative in the United States indicated that this event entitled “The importance of small farmers to achieve food security in the Americas” is intended not only to inform about the realities of small farmers and food processors, but also to promote policy changes to support them in the countries of the Hemisphere.
There are about 14 million small farmers growing about 100 million hectares in Latin America, which account for 30-60% of the total area of each country. “We must promote sustainable agriculture not only for food security but also in the interest of civil stability, democracy and increased trade” said Hatch.
Three small farmers spoke about the challenges they face in accessing the demanding markets. Rosa Guamán, of the Jambi Kiwa Producers Association in Ecuador, said that indigenous farming communities can transform their agricultural activities into lucrative export business.
She shared a story about a group of extraordinary women from the Andes Mountains, who organized their communities to produce high quality herbal teas which are now exported to Europe, Japan and Canada. “No more external dependence; we are the new entrepreneurs”, she said.
On the panel, Mauricio Lastra, President of the National Coordinator of Foundations PRODUCE (COFUPRO), indicated that in Mexico, a national network for technological innovation is consolidated with participation of 3,500 producers, who set the research agenda. He said PRODUCE fund some 1,100 projects annually that also benefit small farmers.
For his part, Father Freddy del Villar Zuniga, Director of the Unidad Académica Campesina, from Bolivia, explained how this university is dedicated to provide vocational training for young rural poor. The educational system follows the model of learning by doing where the students work several hours at the University, offsetting the investment made in them, so they do not become dependent on foreign aid.
“My message for this audience is that we need to listen to young people and give them the opportunity to have a decent, integral education that promotes the right values” he concluded.
Since its inception in 1942 led by then Vice President Henry Wallace and in its 70 years of existence, IICA has focused its efforts on developing small and mid sized farmers. “Our specialists also work hard to promote policies that will help these farmers them move from subsistence farming, poverty and chronic hunger to improved livelihoods and income”, concluded Hatch.
The event was held at Organization of American States and was attended by prominent figures including ambassadors, representatives of the U.S. government, and representatives of NGOs, consulting firms and students.
For more information, contact:
david.hatch@iica.int
