12 April 2019: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’s (FAO) Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and the Government of Togo have launched a partnership to strengthen forest and farm producers in tackling poverty and coping with climate change. The FFF aims to contribute to achieving at least 11 of the 17 SDGs.
The FFF aims to improve the livelihoods of rural people by working with forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs), such as smallholder farmers, rural women’s groups and indigenous peoples and local communities’ institutions, to increase their technical and commercial capacities to tackle climate change and improve food security. FFF also works with governments to develop policy processes and mechanisms that take into account the contributions of rural people. FAO and partners implemented the first phase of FFF from 2012 to 2017, and FFF is now entering its second phase.
The second phase of FFF aims to help deliver the SDGs. FFF is expected to strengthen access to markets and financial instruments through business development services with FFPOs and promotion of equitable value chains, which will contribute to SDG 1 (end poverty), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). FFF will also work to improve mitigation and adaptation measures and climate resilience at the landscape level through direct engagement of FFPOs and integration of inclusive approaches to improving livelihoods, which will support progress on SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land). FFF further aims to promote increased and equitable access to social and cultural services, contributing to SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), and more inclusive governance in support of enabling policies for FFPOs, which will help achieve SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).
FAO and the Government of Togo launched the partnership at an event in Lomé, Togo. The launch workshop brought together almost 60 people, including representatives of key FFPOs, relevant sectoral public services, development partners and the private sector.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is providing support to FAO for the FFF Phase II in Togo and Madagascar. FFF is a partnership between FAO, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and AgriCord. [FAO Press Release] [FFF Website]