Representation from IFAP

1. Representation from IFAP • Ron Bonnet, Farmer Research Committee, Canada • Raul Montemayor, Federation of Free Farmers, Philippines • Mario Costa, National Agricultural Research Institute, Uruguay

2. About the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) • A world-wide network of farmers organizations established in 1946 • 110 national farmer organizations in 75 countries • Represents all farmers in developed countries and half a billion farmers in developing countries • Allows “farmers to speak for themselves”

3. About the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) • Structure • National farmer organizations • General • Commodity-based • Connection to local organizations • Staff support • Focus • Policy development • Improved farm incomes • Farmer empowerment

4. About the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) • Issues (Committees) • Commodities • Developing countries • Agricultural research • Agricultural Research Committee • A new committee • Involve farmers in research • Need for extension service • Farm organization empowerment

5. Key Issues Regarding LFM – New Agri-Food Systems and Trends • Government policies have shifted from market management to trade liberalization • Farmers now vulnerable to international market fluctuations • Retail and distribution networks have become larger, more complex and sophisticated (distribution, standards and volumes) • Farmers have limited access and negotiating power

6. Key Issues Regarding LFM – New Agri-Food Systems and Trends • Urbanization has shifted focus of government support from farmers to consumers • As consolidation of retail sector continues, the quality of food safety standards could exclude small farmers from participation

7. LFM – Potential Roles of Partners • National Governments • Infrastructure (roads, power, water, education and training) • Support for farmers’ collective action • Regulation development/modification • Financial support and tools to encourage collection farmer action

8. LFM – Potential Roles of Partners • Research Community • Market-oriented research • Farmer involvement in identifying needs • Infrastructure (roads, power, water, education and training) • Extension services • Sharing of information

9. LFM – Potential Roles of Partners • International Organizations • Funding to assist farmer involvement • Identification of producer empowerment as a key component of success • Look for inclusion of partnerships in proposals • Need for coherence between development and trade policy

10. LFM – Potential Roles of Partners • IFAP • Utilize existing structure for communication • Identify best practices • Organizational development • Marketing structures or responses • Political champions in member countries

11. CONCLUSIONS • If we do nothing, only a few large multinational companies will eventually control the food sysltem • Small farmers will have limited access to the system • The market power of farmers must be strengthened • Capacity building of farmer organizations key to assisting small farmers