SWISSAID welcomes the progress of the discussions in the area of food sovereignty and the emphasis on agroecology, but regrets that the central actors of this system, i.e. the farmers are often excluded. Approaches such as agroecology, which builds on the way of life of 500 million smallholder farmers who provide much of the world’s food, are still too hesitantly embraced and implemented by the international community. Thus, SWISSAID has given a voice to farmers in its report, and through them to agroecology.
The report with the stories of the six women farmers is addressed to the UN Secretary General and was handed over by SWISSAID to the head of the Swiss delegation Christian Hofer on 21st September. The report describes each the situation of each woman as a farmer. But most importantly, the women farmers interviewed make suggestions for improvements to food systems. These include the promotion of agroecology. After all, agroecological food systems strengthen women’s independence and autonomy from expensive means of production and uncertain international price developments. In light of these findings, SWISSAID wants to give women farmers a voice. We want them to finally be heard by international decision-makers, who need to acknowledge that these women are professionals who know well what they need, to be able to scale sustainable, ecological food systems in their communities and beyond.
A voice given to farmers
The women farmers are called Aïssa, Anne, Amina, Rut, Chathurika and Kathrin. They live in Niger, Switzerland, Tanzania, Guatemala and Sri Lanka. They all work in their own fields. Some of them have inherited the land from their ancestors, others have changed careers to become farmers. They are eager to learn how to cultivate and maintain the fields. This way, they feed their families and communities in a healthy way and contribute significantly to the household income. Women farmers play a central role in the production of food. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, they produce up to 80 percent of the food consumed in rural areas, producing local varieties such as vegetables, fruits, rice, wheat and maize.
Rut, peasant farmer from Guatemala
María Rosaura, peasant farmer from Colombia
Numerous obstacles
Women farmers and their work are largely absent when food systems are discussed on 23rd and 24th September. Yet they face numerous challenges: lack of recognition, lack of social protection, insufficient education, lack of or difficult access to land ownership, violence and isolation. They are committed to their community and at the same time are the most affected by malnutrition. Almost 60 percent of the people who suffer chronically from hunger are women, including women in rural areas.
Amina, peasant farmer from Tanzania
Anne, peasant farmer from Switzerland
