Smallholders and Powerholders: Transforming Food Systems From the Ground Up

More than a quarter of the people on this planet live in small farm households. Smallholder family farmers are producing four-fifths of the food consumed in the developing world, generally using significantly less of the Earth’s natural resources and more sustainable and diverse farming methods than those seen in industrial agriculture. Given their importance to sustainable food supplies and livelihoods, the smallholder perspective should be key for developing policies and solutions that contribute to a fundamentally different model of agriculture globally. Yet, smallholders are rarely included in established policy forums and agenda-setting dialogues.

The aim of this session is for smallholder farmers to take the center stage in the conversation about their role in the food systems transformation. How can these farmers best be supported to contribute to improved global food systems? How can they use their knowledge to influence those in positions of power?

Co-organizer: Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

Moderator: Ajay Vir Jakhar, Chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj (Farmers’ Forum, India)

Room: Oxen/Väduren (Level 5), Quality Hotel Globe (located adjacent to Annexet, the Forum venue)

Time: Tuesday June 12 from 09:00 – 12:00.

If you have questions about this session, please contact EAT Engagement Officer Maria Westin, maria@eatforum.org

Please note EAT may take photos during the session – feel free to contact us if you prefer not to be photographed.