Agro-ecology must be at the centre of climate change debate

Action contre la Faim strongly emphasises the emergency to deeply change agricultural policies at international level. Agro-ecology must be at the centre of climate change struggle.

Following the publication of the Special Report from IPCC on Climate Change and Land, Action contre la Faim strongly highlights the imperative need to limit the impact of land uses for agriculture on climate change to fight food insecurity on the long term.

In the report publish today, IPCC shows the complex relations between climate change and land uses, notably for agriculture. Indeed, agro-industrial systems are responsible for almost ¼ of GHG emissions. However, agriculture has also suffered from climate change. This is particularly the case for peasant and family agriculture. The increase of extreme weather events has significant impacts on agricultural production, in terms of quantity and quality, and worsens the situation of the most vulnerable population, with less food available and rise in prices.

For Action contre la Faim, international negotiations on Climate change must be driven by agriculture issues: it is crucial to reconsider our agricultural systems at international level to limit its impacts on climate change without adding more threats on food security. Notably, policies must support most vulnerable population’s adaptation to climate change consequences

“Peasant agro-ecology, family farming and small farmers must be at the centre of agricultural systems, contrary to industrial agri-systems that participate to climate change while failing to produce healthy and nutritious food”, notes Pauline Verrière, Food Security Advocacy Officer.

“Northern countries must also reconsider their consumption system to limit its impact on climate change that affects Southern countries. The whole production chain must be considered by those changes, notably deforestation, chemical inputs, agriculture and food waste”, says Pauline Verrière.

For years, Action contre la Faim has observed gradual changes due to climate change with direct impacts on food security and malnutrition of millions of vulnerable peoples that depend on agriculture and livestock farming as main livelihoods. In many countries, we have implemented development programs and trained small farmers to agricultural techniques with promotion of local knowledge and renovation of degraded soils because of chemicals uses. Change in agricultural practices must be supported by stakeholders to face climate change.