The Farming First coalition is launching a new food security guide and interactive map ahead of the G8/G20 summits later this week (25-27 June). This resource guide reviews all of the major global and regional food security initiatives currently in place.

http://www.farmingfirst.org/foodsecurity

Food security is an immediate and future priority for all countries worldwide. Since the food crisis erupted in 2008, a large number of global and regional food security initiatives have been launched or strengthened in response.
As we move towards action on these food security policies, Farming First urges policymakers to:

1. promote a clear joint focus on a common goal for food security at the global level through policy and operational coherence

2. encourage increased transparency on how much of pledged funding has been committed and to what types of programmes

3. engage a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that efforts are coordinated, clear, collaborative and ultimately successful.

Returning farmers to the centre of policy decisions is fundamental to sustainable development. Governments, businesses, scientists and civil society groups must focus attention on the source of our food security. Women farmers should become specially targeted recipients because of their vital roles in the agricultural workforce, household food procurement and preparation, and family unit support.

Productivity levels in most developing countries have to be raised exponentially while considering environmental sustainability. Policies encouraging investment in developing countries’ agricultural sectors should be supported.

Governments should invest in their agricultural sectors and devise long-term agricultural development strategies supporting the development of local agricultural markets and farmers’ ability to answer market demands.

Local production should also be stimulated by providing farmers with the technology, the knowledge and the adequate financial services they need.

About Farming First

Farming First is a global coalition of 131 organisations, representing the world’s farmers, scientists, engineers, industry and agricultural development organisations.

The coalition exists to strengthen the voice of groups with shared views on the importance of improving farming and farmers’ livelihoods. It also aims at building synergies in promoting Farming First’s mission. Together, Farming First’s supporters illustrate the strength and value of multi-stakeholder collaboration for building consensus and a common framework for future action. It also shows the importance of including civil society’s voice within these international negotiations.