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Add to Preferred SourcesThe Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization José Graziano da Silva has highlighted the vital role agriculture plays in preventing conflict and promoting sustainable peace, during a keynote speech delivered at a forum on agriculture, defence, diplomacy and development in Paris.
“Hunger and peace are closely linked. Conflicts have a major impact on local food systems. They contribute to the worsening of hunger in the world,” Graziano da Silva said.
Nearly half the population in countries affected by violence live in rural areas, where livelihoods largely depend on agriculture. Two recent FAO-led reports, the State of the World’s Food Security and Nutrition (2017) and the Global Report on Food Crises (2018) indicate that hunger is on the rise and one of the main driving factors in conflict.
“But we must keep hope,” the Director-General said. “Even in areas worst hit by violence, farmers, herders and fishers continue to produce food.”
The Director-General also urged stronger partnerships for peace among those working in the humanitarian and development sectors.
“Humanitarian action, while fundamental, is not enough,” he said. “It alone cannot stop this trend of worsening food crises… To this must be added actions for sustainable development to generate new opportunities.”
The Director-General described a visit to Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria, where he saw that unless young people – especially young men – are provided with legitimate livelihood options they have no choice but to join armed groups or attempt to migrate in search of better lives.
“This is why support for local food systems plays a crucial role in contributing to peace”.
Graziano da Silva outlined FAO’s more than 40 years of experience in supporting livelihoods to save the lives of farmers, herders, and fishers, including in areas of conflict.
“The employment of young people and women is a crucial element of FAO’s efforts to combat hunger in conflict contexts. For example, in Niger, France’s support to FAO and the World Food Programme allows us to provide work opportunities for young people and women in the agri-food sector. This has resulted in a slowdown in the flow of people leaving their land, and increased resilience.”
“If agricultural activities are not supported, more and more farmers, shepherds and fishermen will have no choice but to abandon their land to migrate to other countries. What is a shepherd without his goats? A potential migrant”.
Original source: FAO
Published on 5 July 2018