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Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture

Last updated on October 22nd, 2024 Posted on October 22, 2024 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  13

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment and Agriculture

Context

  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) adopted the Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture.

About

  • The declaration was launched on the occasion of the High-level Rome Water Dialogue, taking place on the sidelines of FAO’s annual World Food Forum (WFF).
  • The Declaration was aimed at addressing water scarcity increasingly exacerbated by the climate crisis.
  • The WASAG initiative was launched at the United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakesh in 2016 to support countries in addressing water scarcity challenges.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
– FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security. 
– It was founded on 16 October 1945.
– Members: The FAO comprises 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union. 
– Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
World Food Forum (WFF)
– WFF was launched in 2021 by the Youth Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization as an independent network of partners. 
– It serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
– Key highlight: The Global Family Farming Forum was launched by the FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
– The theme of  2024 WFF: ‘Good food for all, for today and tomorrow’.

What is Family Farming?

  • Family farming refers to agricultural activities that are managed and operated by families, relying primarily on family labor. 
  • It encompasses all family-based agricultural activities, including crops, forestry, fisheries, and pastoralism. 

Significance of Family farming

  • Family farming, with over 550 million farms worldwide, is the backbone of food production, accounting for over 90 per cent of all farms,
    • It produces 70 to 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms.
  • Family farmers, especially in low- and middle-income countries, grow diverse, nutritious food, support crop biodiversity and manage natural resources responsibly. 
  • The United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019-2028 was adopted on December 20, 2017 by the UN General Assembly unanimously and supported by 104 countries.

Challenges Faced by Family Farming

  • Climate Change: It is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns, which affect crop yields and food production.
  • Access to Resources: The small family farms face limited access to land, water, financial services, technology, and markets, impeding their ability to increase productivity and income.
  • Policy and Institutional Support: In many regions, family farmers receive insufficient government support in terms of subsidies, infrastructure, and favorable policies that could help them compete in larger markets.

Way Ahead

  • Promoting climate-smart agricultural practices is essential to help family farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
  • Engaging the younger generation in farming through education, skill development, and financial incentives will help ensure the continuity of family farming.

Source: DTE

 
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