In a stark revelation, a new analysis shows that small family farmers, who are responsible for producing a third of the world’s food, received just 0.3%. international climate finance In 2021. The findings, released by a coalition of farmer networks representing more than 35 million small-scale producers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, highlight significant gaps in support for those on the front lines of global food. Production.
study comes right ahead COP28Where discussions are set to finalize a global target for adaptation. The UAE Presidency is urging governments to integrate food and agriculture into national climate plans for the first time, and to increase financial support for the transformation of food systems.
The agri-food sector received $8.4 billion from the international public, according to analysis by Climate Focus climate finance In 2021, about half of the $16 billion allocated to the energy sector. However, climate-vulnerable and food-insecure countries like Zambia and Sierra Leone received only $20 million.
Shockingly, only 2% of international public climate finance, totaling $2 billion, was directed towards small-scale family farmers and rural communities. This figure represents just 0.3% of total international climate finance from both public and private sources, despite the estimated financial needs of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa alone reaching $170 billion annually.
The report titled “Untapped Potential” highlights that only 19% of international public climate finance spending on food and agriculture was allocated to support sustainable and resilient practices such as agroecology, amounting to $1.6 billion. This is a fraction of the estimated $300–350 billion required annually for such initiatives.
“Climate change has contributed to pushing 122 million people towards hunger since 2019,” expressed concern Hakeem Baliriane, chair of the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum. “If governments continue to tie their hands, this trend could be reversed. It will not be possible to reverse.” Of millions of family farmers.”
The report further notes that 80% of international public climate finance in the agri-food sector is channeled through recipient governments and donor country NGOs, making it difficult for family farmer organizations due to complex eligibility rules and application processes. It becomes challenging to achieve this.
Family farmers, who often lack the infrastructure, technology and resources to adapt to climate impacts, play a vital role in global food security and rural economies. Farms of less than two hectares produce one third of the world’s food, while farms of 5 hectares or less are responsible for more than half of global production of staple crops. More than 2.5 billion people globally depend on family farms for their livelihoods.
The report emphasizes that the most effective way to safeguard food security is to adopt more nature-friendly and diverse food systems. Family farmers are at the forefront of these efforts, implementing sustainable practices such as planting drought-resistant crops.
Alberto Broch, President of the Confederation of Family Producer Organizations of Expanded Mercosur (COPROFAM), issued a clear message to governments, saying, “More than 600 million family farms are already engaged in building more sustainable and resilient food systems. “By including voices in decision-making and ensuring direct access to more climate finance, we can build a powerful coalition in the fight against climate change.”
Esther Penunia, secretary general of the Asian Farmers Association, called for a massive rethink on climate finance, urging greater support for family farmers and sustainable practices such as agroecology. He stressed that it is important to work with nature and empower local communities to secure food production in a changing climate.
study comes right ahead COP28Where discussions are set to finalize a global target for adaptation. The UAE Presidency is urging governments to integrate food and agriculture into national climate plans for the first time, and to increase financial support for the transformation of food systems.
The agri-food sector received $8.4 billion from the international public, according to analysis by Climate Focus climate finance In 2021, about half of the $16 billion allocated to the energy sector. However, climate-vulnerable and food-insecure countries like Zambia and Sierra Leone received only $20 million.
Shockingly, only 2% of international public climate finance, totaling $2 billion, was directed towards small-scale family farmers and rural communities. This figure represents just 0.3% of total international climate finance from both public and private sources, despite the estimated financial needs of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa alone reaching $170 billion annually.
The report titled “Untapped Potential” highlights that only 19% of international public climate finance spending on food and agriculture was allocated to support sustainable and resilient practices such as agroecology, amounting to $1.6 billion. This is a fraction of the estimated $300–350 billion required annually for such initiatives.
“Climate change has contributed to pushing 122 million people towards hunger since 2019,” expressed concern Hakeem Baliriane, chair of the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum. “If governments continue to tie their hands, this trend could be reversed. It will not be possible to reverse.” Of millions of family farmers.”
The report further notes that 80% of international public climate finance in the agri-food sector is channeled through recipient governments and donor country NGOs, making it difficult for family farmer organizations due to complex eligibility rules and application processes. It becomes challenging to achieve this.
Family farmers, who often lack the infrastructure, technology and resources to adapt to climate impacts, play a vital role in global food security and rural economies. Farms of less than two hectares produce one third of the world’s food, while farms of 5 hectares or less are responsible for more than half of global production of staple crops. More than 2.5 billion people globally depend on family farms for their livelihoods.
The report emphasizes that the most effective way to safeguard food security is to adopt more nature-friendly and diverse food systems. Family farmers are at the forefront of these efforts, implementing sustainable practices such as planting drought-resistant crops.
Alberto Broch, President of the Confederation of Family Producer Organizations of Expanded Mercosur (COPROFAM), issued a clear message to governments, saying, “More than 600 million family farms are already engaged in building more sustainable and resilient food systems. “By including voices in decision-making and ensuring direct access to more climate finance, we can build a powerful coalition in the fight against climate change.”
Esther Penunia, secretary general of the Asian Farmers Association, called for a massive rethink on climate finance, urging greater support for family farmers and sustainable practices such as agroecology. He stressed that it is important to work with nature and empower local communities to secure food production in a changing climate.
(TagstoTranslate)Small-scale farmers(T)International climate finance(T)Global injustice(T)COP28(T)Climate finance