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- Convenor:
-
Jiayan Lin
(University of Oregon)
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- Format:
- Traditional Open Panel
Short Abstract:
The vulnerability of smallholder farmers is exacerbated by climate change. How are they coping? The panel aims to explore the interactions between smallholder farmers' resilience, political economy, environmental sustainability and food security in the context of climate change and its implications.
Long Abstract:
Smallholder farmers play a critical role in food production, with a large body of literature showing that they account for at least one-third of the world's food supply. As scholars call for a slowdown in large-scale agricultural development and a greater focus on regionalized smallholder production, we need to pay more attention to the vulnerability of smallholders to market fluctuations. This vulnerability is exacerbated by climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, pest and disease outbreaks, and land degradation. How are smallholder farmers responding to these challenges and adapting to changing conditions? How are their adaptation strategies influenced by the political-economic structures that shape their access to resources and markets?
This panel aims to explore these questions by examining the complex and dynamic interactions between political-economic structures, smallholder farmers, environmental sustainability, and food security in the context of climate change. Drawing on empirical evidence from different countries and regions, the panel will discuss these implications for research, policy, and technology practice to enhance smallholder farmers' resilience and food security.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Sandra Obiri-Yeboah (University of Ghana)
Short abstract:
One of the sustainable development goals is the need to create a hunger-free world. In Africa, women farmers are responsible for a huge share of food production. Despite this, climate fluctuations affect productivity. To boost food production is a need for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
Long abstract:
One of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is the need to create a hunger-free world. Ensuring this requires the active participation of both men and women in the agricultural sector. In Sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana, women (smallholder farmers) in the agricultural sector make up a significant portion of the agricultural labor force and are responsible for a huge share of food production. Despite this, climate fluctuations affect agricultural output as farmers mostly depend on rain-fed agriculture. This affects the sector's effort to potentially address the rising demand for food due to population growth and poverty, a situation that can hinder the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero hunger). To ensure sustainable agriculture in the wake of climate-related effects (i.e., flooding and droughts) is a need for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to transform the agricultural systems to boost food production. This study explores farmers' (women) resilience strategies (CSA) adopted during changing climate conditions in Northern Ghana (Yapei). The study employed qualitative data by using in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 20 participants were selected for the interview. The study found that the adoption of CSA in farming increased agricultural productivity and enhanced food security (including increased food supply, and availability). The study recommends the need for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to intensify the education of farmers particularly women on the importance of CSA and also provide agricultural resources to support farmers in building resilience against climate-related impact.
Oscar Alfredo Forero (Agrosavia)
Short abstract:
This presentation synthetises lessons learnt from piloting experience of advising transformation of food systems for increased socioecological resilience in Colombia, and issues recommendations for implementations elsewhere.
Long abstract:
Addressing vulnerability of rural livelihoods in Anthropocene is fundamental to make it food systems resilient. However, transitioning from the Green Revolution model in which corporations developed and then sold technological packages to farmers, to a different innovation model in which diverse stakeholders coproduce knowledge and co-innovate, has proved extremely challenging. To facilitate such transition a methodology for assembling socioecological resilient territories (TISERE) was piloted in different geographical areas of Colombia. The technological challenge related to rapid transformation of productive landscapes due to more rapid that previously estimated climate change. But even more challenging proved to be to advancing governance and institutional transformation, considering poverty, inequality, social instability and political violence. Lessons learnt from these pilots are informing implementation elsewhere in Colombia and would be of use to rural communities, government advisors, research institutes and NGOs working in processes of adaptation and transformability of food systems in low- and middle-income countries. This presentation synthetises lessons learnt from piloting experience in Colombia and issues some recommendations for implementation elsewhere.
Hsin-Hua Chiang (The University of Tokyo)
Short abstract:
The research applies social network analysis to investigate knowledge sharing among farmers and institutions. With a comparison of two regions in Japan, the study presents an effective and dependable mix to communicate new technologies and knowledge tackling the growing environmental uncertainty.
Long abstract:
To enhance environmental sustainability, a supportive network for farmers that shares resources and knowledge is critical in backing alternative farming practices. Particularly, facing the increasing uncertainty of rainfall and temperature dynamics, climate change adaptation strategies developed by academia or technocracies require more effective and reliable communication with smallholder farmers. The research draws out a comparison of two regions in Japan, Sado Island (Niigata Prefecture) and Tajima Area (Hyogo Prefecture). Within the country, both regions have been pioneers in promoting conservative agriculture (i.e., farming practices that reduce or eliminate chemical use), highlighting Japanese Crested Ibis and Oriental White Stork as indicator species to develop environmental management methods and policies. With a questionnaire survey of certified eco-friendly rice farmers, the study investigates the knowledge-sharing practices among farmers and institutions, including the farmers’ association, enterprises, and governmental technocracies. Utilizing social network analysis, the analysis consists of three layers: first identifying the general attributes of the respondent and the distribution of group belongings, then comparing the channels of knowledge acquisition in terms of farming practices, materials/technology inputs, and financial resources. The research also draws attention to the interplays between institutionalized knowledge/technology, indigenous knowledge, and/or personal observations, as well as generational characteristics in building knowledge-sharing communities. Finally, based on the farmers’ assessments of reliability among different information sources, research suggests an effective and dependable mix of communication.