Climate and Environmental Justice

8th Farmers Forum – Key Demands: Enhance the autonomy of small-scale food producers

A crucial message was delivered to IFAD’s Governing Council at the 8th IFAD Farmers’ Forum calling for collaboration with farmers’ organizations globally, aligning with human rights and international frameworks. The organizations call on governments to increase funding for IFAD’s essential policies and programs for small-scale producers.

France & Farmers’ Protest: Confédération Paysanne calls for national mobilization

The National Committee of the Confédération Paysanne, has expressed its full solidarity with the movements of farmers in France. The observation is shared: the expressed anger is legitimate, given the profound issue of peasant labor remuneration. The Confédération Paysanne has decided to call on all departmental structures to express their solidarity with the movement.

Peasants at the frontline of the climate struggle share testimonies

The 8th International Conference of La Via Campesina, held in Bogotá, Colombia, in December, provided a space for its members – small-holder farmers from more than 80 countries – to highlight the ongoing crises in their territories. These testimonies of peasants worldwide revealed a shared struggle against the escalating climate crisis. Across South America, Asia, and Africa, a collective plea for global action resonated, urging sustainable alternatives like agroecology.

Mayotte water crisis: MODEF calls on France to take action

Mayotte is experiencing a severe water crisis as water sources run dry and the distribution network in a poor state requiring urgent attention. Rains to replenish the sources not expected until November. Water cuts are common.

Bridging Local Farming and International Activism

La Via Campesina has over 200 million members in more than 80 countries. There are three levels within La Via Campesina. The member organizations, which include unions, cooperatives, or associations, form the first level. Then, all these organizations are grouped by region, with nine regions in La Via Campesina. These nine regions together constitute La Via Campesina. Every four years, a conference is organized to decide the working priorities for the next four years. The next conference will be held in Colombia in December. We expect 500 delegates from all over the world.

Solidarity with the Libyan People and their Peasants in the aftermath of Storm Daniel

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, the city of Derna in Libya, along with neighboring villages and towns, witnessed the devastating impact of Storm Daniel. This unprecedented natural disaster inflicted profound destruction on Libya, leaving a trail of unprecedented devastation in its wake. Over 3,900 lives were lost, with more than 9,000 still missing and an additional 20,000 forcibly displaced.

Karnataka, India: Farmers hold a forum on trade, climate and seed issues

The participants were of the opinion that a fair remunerative price is central to finding a solution to the ongoing farm crisis in the country. The participants also delved into the various bilateral trade negotiations India is currently involved in, including those with the EU. A significant demand from EU negotiators has been the liberalization of the agricultural and dairy sectors. Forum participants cautioned against any attempts to lower tariffs, as such actions would exacerbate the crisis.

Peasant agriculture, a key element in the fight against the climate crisis

Efforts to tackle the climate crisis through the much-herald “ecological transition” run the risk of being in vain if they are not accompanied by support for peasant agroecological practices, which are the fruit of thousands of years of experience and traditional knowledge aimed at achieving a balance between food production and natural cycles.