Civil Society Involvement in Food and Nutrition Security: Farmers Associations

REGIONAL DIALOGUE ON HUNGER ERADICATION IN THE CARIBBEAN:RIGHT TO FOOD AND GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) - Tel: 784 453 1004 - Fax: 784 453 1239 - Email: [email protected]

By Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator

CaFAN Presentation

Civil society involvement in Food and Nutrition Security: Farmers

associationsAntigua and Barbuda, Jolly Beach Resort

August 1-2, 2013

About CaFAN• CaFAN (Caribbean Farmers Network inc.) established in 2002 as a

regional network of Farmers Organizations (FO) within the Caribbean region, with a mandate to represent farmers regionally.

• Key Features of CaFAN:– 500,000 Farmers in over 15 Countries– Unique Farmers Network– Unifying Network– Active Communication Channels– A Culture of Sharing & Capacity Building– A Culture of Youth Succession– A Culture of ACTION

• In 2006, the Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD) became its Secretariat.



Purpose of Presentation

• To highlight the challenges and successes of small producers network, CaFAN in improving food and nutrition security in the Caribbean region.


Agriculture and FNS

• There is an opportunity for linking agriculture to Health and Nutrition since according to the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), one of the main public health problems in the Caribbean is related to food and nutrition – in the form of Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (CNCDs).

• Data shows serious deficit in staples, especially roots and tubers, vegetables and legumes. These foods are high in fibre, complex carbohydrates and low in calories compared to the imported sources of carbohydrates in the Caribbean such as pasta, refined wheat flour, pastries, etc., and the antioxidant disease or fighting capacity of these foods cannot be estimated.


Cost of Nutrition-Related diseases

NCDs are twice as costly to treat compared to other diseases

Direct cost of treating everyone with diabetes and hypertension in the region:

US$691 million/annually (2% of GDP or 66% of current expenditures on Public Health)

Cost of diabetes and hypertension attributable to obesity is US$ 336 million annually (1 % of GDP or 32% of current expenditures on Public Health)

Source: CFNI, Agri-Food, Nutrition and Healthy: Capturing the Synergies, by Dr. Ballayram, Food Economist – October 2010


What are the farmers are going to address FNS issues?

• CaFAN farmers in collaboration with its partners are working with focus on the production of nutritious local foods not only for the purpose of making more profits for farmers, creating employment and increasing income but at the same time, contributing significantly towards food availability and stabilizing food security systems.

• CaFAN has collaborated with CARICOM Secretariat, Agriculture Division on the Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy (RFNS) and the Community Agricultural Policy (CAPS) to ensure that farmers have an input into these policies.


What are the farmers are going to address FNS issues?

• With support from FAO under the EU’s All ACP Commodities Project four of CaFAN member organizations in four countries have received support to boost their production of roots and tubers – eddoes, sweet potato, cassava, dasheen. It also promotes the consumption of these crops as part of our overall diet.

• In the next several months, CaFAN’s production of roots and tubers will be extended to other countries within the CaFAN network through a CIDA funded PROPEL project which seeks to reduce the regions high food import bill and encourage more local consumption.

SVG, Case Study

• With support from CTA, ECTAD launched a pilot project in 2007 in collaboration with the Government of SVG: Linking Agriculture to Health and Nutrition

• The project was aimed at increasing the use of locally grown nutritional food, particularly fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers.

• Series of workshops and other promotional campaigns were held across St. Vincent. Vincentians were encouraged to grow backyard gardens to supplement the nutritious food basket they purchase from the local markets and supermarkets.

• At present, three schools have been added to the program to sensitize on the importance of agriculture and its like to FNS

Primary school student awareness workshop


Secondary and Primary school students involved in school gardens


Jamaica Case Study

• One of CaFAN’s largest member, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), is promoting at its upcoming 59th annual Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show from 30 July to 1 August. “Grow what you eat – eat what you grow” as a continued effort to promote the use of local foods in Jamaica.

• Christiana Potato Growers Association is intensifying its efforts in production of roots and tubers, fruits and vegetables with the aim of import substitution.

Farmers in Jamaica market Irish Potatoes



Ensuring meaningful participation of farmers in FNS

• Building a robust information-driven virtual marketing mechanism which will supply large retailers in the Caribbean.

• Promoting community markets and having the necessary infrastructure in place to encourage local consumption;

• Increasing access to working capital and boosting cash flow for farmers

• Development of a buffer fund to allow farmers to get paid in a timely basis. This fund is one critical element if scaling-up is going to occur.


Conclusion

• CaFAN believes that the food and nutrition security should not be the sole responsibility of the farmer, but of the entire population.

• The approach is affordable food and not cheap food• Getting the population to develop an appreciation for

agriculture, food and nutrition in their daily lives• Import substitution must be linked to food availability

and food affordability• Promote home and school gardening to complement

regular farming



THANK YOU!

Presentations & Public Speaking

Civil Society Involvement in Food and Nutrition Security: Farmers Associations