UNEP recognizes that farmers, including small-scale farmers and fishers, pastoralists and foresters, can make important contributions to sustainable development through production activities that are environmentally sound, enhance food security and the livelihood of the poor, and invigorate production and sustained economic growth. Therefore, UNEP engages with the Farmers Major Group at the policy and programmatic level, for example in the transition to a Green Economy.
The following example is only a small part of UNEP’s numerous partnerships with Farmers at the global, regional and local level.
Perspectives article: "Opportunities and Challenges Facing Farmers in Transitioning to a Green Economy Agriculture Practice"
In April 2012, the Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch has published a Perspectives issue on “Opportunities and Challenges Facing Farmers in Transitioning to a Green Economy Agriculture Practice” by Patrick Binns of Westbrook Associates LLC.
The policy paper highlights the key opportunities and challenges confronting farmers throughout the world as they consider and adopt practices that contribute to green economic development, poverty eradication and improved food security. It also focuses on the role of farmers in green economic development and how a transition to a green economy could benefit farmers. The article describes the primary means to accomplish sustainable farming and discusses key policies and public/private investments that would advance a ‘green agriculture’ transition.
