14 June 2016
CFS Working Group Finalizes Draft Guidelines on Connecting Smallholders to Markets
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Held under the auspices of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Connecting Smallholders to Markets finalized a set of draft recommendations to governments aiming to address key challenges in and opportunities for improving the access of smallholder farmers to markets.

The draft recommendations will be forwarded the to the 43rd Plenary Session of the CFS in October 2016.

CFS9 June 2016: Held under the auspices of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Connecting Smallholders to Markets finalized a set of draft recommendations to governments aiming to address key challenges in and opportunities for improving the access of smallholder farmers to markets. The draft recommendations will be forwarded the to the 43rd Plenary Session of the CFS in October 2016.

The OEWG convened from 8-9 June 2016, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), in Rome, Italy.

Building on the outcomes of the 2015 High-Level Forum on Connecting Smallholders to Markets, and the informal OEWG consultations held on 28 April 2016, which discussed key messages from the High-Level Forum, the OEWG considered outstanding issues regarding the draft recommendation text.

On the introduction, which outlines key challenges and opportunities for improving access of smallholder farmers to markets, participants discussed language on: local, national and regional markets and food systems; gender; youth; international markets; nutrition; institutional procurement; and smallholders in a changing context.

On the recommendations, OEWG members discussed issues relating to: information, including data on diverse markets and fair pricing; participation and demand, including through improved procurement programmes, innovative partnerships and local food systems; infrastructure and financing, including a recommendation on institutional innovation and improving agricultural production systems; broader landscape, including recognizing the environmental, social and economic value of food produced; production; capacity development; and follow up.

The draft recommendations will be forwarded to CFS 43 for adoption. [IISD RS Coverage of the OEWG][Meeting Documents][Draft Recommendations on Connecting Smallholders to Markets]


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