Smallholder Farmers Hold a Position of Prominence in the Transformation of the Current Food System

Food has become a prominent feature on the climate change agenda. The crisis in Ukraine has affected global food security and highlighted the current food system’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and climate change. For the world to limit global warming, it is not enough to solely focus on the energy and manufacturing industries. We also need to target the global food system as a major player and contributor to climate change. A recent study, published in the Science Research Magazine Nature, finds that a third of the world’s anthropogenic GHG emissions are caused by the food sector. With significant regional variation, agricultural production accounts for 80-86% of all food sector emissions, including indirect emissions related to changes in land cover. Our food systems are currently characterized by the rampant depletion of land and soil biodiversity due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides and the consistent overuse of land. Food production accounts for approximately 80% of global deforestation.

Consultancy giants like the Information Security Forum (ISF) also report a lack of investments in capacity building, equipment, technology, and fragmented value chains that contribute to food insecurity. ISF has estimated a funding deficit of 170 billion USD for smallholder farmers in South and South-East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.

But there is a way forward, with several solutions already being implemented. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) Report “The Global Land Outlook” provides a roadmap of existing solutions to address deforestation. The report showcases more than 100 case studies of grassroots land restoration efforts. And some of these restoration efforts are driven by the UNCCD itself. The UNCCD Drought Initiative, for instance, provides over 70 nations with valuable tools for enhancing water management and creating all-encompassing national plans of action to encourage readiness for drought. Some actionable tactics include selecting drought-tolerant species, using climatic predictions, increasing soil moisture retention capacity, and implementing rainwater collection methods.

However, restoration of land is only one aspect of rethinking the food system for the planet’s good. We should also focus on decarbonizing agricultural production, transport, consumption, and processing, as they are integral components of the food system and contribute tremendously to the harmful emissions generated by our food systems. These components are left out in some areas, leaving the value chain incomplete, thereby driving a wasteful system. In Rwanda, for instance, where tomato postharvest loss is prominent, one of the reasons for postharvest tomato loss is the lack of an agro-processing factor which has rendered the system fractured, linear and wasteful. Redesigning our food system would mean adopting a circular model characterized by the reuse of resources, the reduction and (re)utilization of side and waste streams to reduce GHG emissions, water and land use, food loss and waste, and nutrient recycling. System thinking will be required to examine the benefits and drawbacks of circularity processes and circular commercial concepts for sustainable food systems.

Smallholder potato farmer harvesting in Kenya

It is also important to acknowledge the role of farmers in fostering this change to sustainable food systems. Farmers, especially smallholder farmers, play an essential role in this transition to circularity. This is because smallholder farmers are more agile. This means they can easily readapt themselves to the changes demanded by this new system since they are relatively smaller. And considering that we are in a moment where we require a quick shift and adaptation to new models, smallholder farmers’ participation is undisputed. These farmers are also most vulnerable to climate change impacts and natural disasters.

Two African organizations, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Farm Africa, are undertaking action to foster partnerships and ventures to transform Africa’s smallholder agriculture into thriving enterprises. In response to the global food crisis and many problems associated with agriculture on the African continent, AGRA, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, Cereal Grower’s Association in Kenya, and Farm Africa, fosters regenerative and sustainable Agricultural practices. In addition, Farm Africa works with many funding and delivery partners to develop Public Financial Management (PFM) approaches to solving food and agricultural problems. In the middle of the 1990s, Farm Africa led the way in introducing PFM in Ethiopia in collaboration with the regional NGO SOS Sahel Ethiopia and other organizations like the German development organization GIZ.

“We should think of farmers as an eco-workforce, as these people are on the ground and have amazing and innovative ideas and initiatives” – Erin Fitzgerald, the CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action USA.

We must shift to a sustainable food system that restores land and meets the demand of a rapidly growing population. But transitioning to a circular food system will not be seamless. One of the current challenges is affordability; can farmers afford this shift to a more sustainable way of producing crops on their farms? Affordability in this context could mean technology, knowledge, willingness, finances, and customer collaboration, among others. In terms of readiness, farmers worldwide are accustomed to their farming practices dating back to the days of their ancestors. Not every farmer will be willing to abandon farming practices from their forefathers as it means much more than just feeding themselves and a business. Hence, this shift is not just a financial one, but it is also cultural. In other cases, farmers who are willing to shift to regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices do not receive the financial support they need. Larger agriculture organizations often get prioritized in receiving subsidies, as they produce larger quantities of food.

A Rwandan subsistence farmer in her fields

However, with the correct contributions and players involved, smallholder farmers will be able to assume their position at the forefront of this movement. Some farmers are doing the right thing and could maximize their potential if given the appropriate incentives and policies. In Kenya, two innovative smallholder farms practice regenerative agriculture, Tamalu Farm and Farmer Max. These farms carry out agroforestry and livestock farming to regenerate soils. To create the right policy setting, the private and public sector is currently challenged with the responsibility to catalyze public and private finance that will de-risk investments and allow farmers to plant the future and become the eco-warriors they can be in the fight against climate change. For instance, the Rwandan Government implemented policies like The National Agriculture Policy commercialize smallholder agriculture and break financial barriers among these farmers. This policy offers practical solutions for Rwanda’s agricultural industry. It focuses on improving and strengthening agricultural technologies and skills, enabling environments and responsive institutions. Additionally, it seeks to increase sustainability and production with the help of inclusive markets and off-farm opportunities.

We must honor sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and utilize the remaining land as best we can while protecting our soil. We have experienced the effects our current food system has on our planet, and we cannot continue with the old patterns and food production systems. Considering this, farmers who are prominent in transforming the current food system must be supported in all ways required to meet our goal of eliminating food insecurity and protecting the planet. The food system is complex and interconnected with varying industries, including the processing, technology, and transportation industries. Such a shift solicits a collaborative effort, and everyone must therefore acknowledge their role and act accordingly.