Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth
500 million family farms produce more than half of the world’s food. In Asia 85% of arable land is family farmed. In Africa, families make use of around two thirds of all cultivated land. But many family farmers in Africa and Asia are poor. Young people especially are leaving agriculture, frustrated by lack of opportunity and investment. Better access to water would help many family farms to grow more crops, boosting incomes and local food security. Intensifying agricultural production can be achieved sustainably, but that means making sure that water is used wisely; ensuring that family farmers are empowered to act as vital custodians of our natural resources.
For World Food Day we look at 8 social and technological innovations that can contribute to a water-secure future for rural communities and family farmers:
More information is available on the FAO web site at http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/home/en/
[hr top=”no”/]
The 2014 Borlaug Dialogue
The greatest challenge in human history: Can we sustainably feed the 9 billion people on our planet by the year 2050?
Watch LIVE today
October 15-17, 2014, Des Moines, Iowa – Des Moines Marriott Downtown Hotel
As we conclude the yearlong centennial observance of the birth of our founder, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the 2014 Borlaug Dialogue international symposium will draw upon Dr. Borlaug’s legacy and address “The Greatest Challenge in Human History: Can We Sustainably Feed the 9 Billion People on our Planet by the Year 2050?” The Dialogue will give special emphasis to the powers of intensification, innovation and inspiration to uplift smallholder farmers and meet the increasing demand for nutritious food.
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the