Link from Rural to Urban Needed: Konrote
Most Asia-Pacific member countries need rural and structural transformation that fostered synergies between farm and non-farm activities as that could reinforce ruralurban linkages.
President Major General (Ret) Jioji Konrote told this to the 34th Session of the Food and Agriculture organisation (FAO) Asia-Pacific Regional Conference yesterday at the Sofitel Resort and Spa, Denarau
Mr Konrote said that in Fiji today, about 60 per cent of the population relied on the agricultural sector as their main source of livelihood, especially with family farming.
“Agriculture will continue to be an important socio-economic sector and will generate employment opportunities in the coming years but, we also recognise that the sector may not be able to absorb such a high volume of new workers in the coming decades,” he said. “Perhaps the FAO could work with its member countries in the AsiaPacific region to assist with job creation in the entire spectrum of the food value chain.
“Ät this regional conference we should also be focusing on women in agriculture and employment for rural youth.”
He said this was a huge challenge for the Pacific as the contribution of women and youths were not always recognised, despite their playing a major role in agriculture. Mr Konrote said it was also important to implement rural development strategies that recognised the importance of family farming. “More profitable urban markets can lead to the concentration of food production in large commercial farms, and to the creation of value chains dominated by large processors and retailers.
In this context, he said smallholders and family farmers need specific policies and regulations and this included providing access to inputs, credit and technology, and improving land tenure rights. With climate change playing a major part in food security, Mr Konrote said it was of utmost im- portance to promote the adaptation of food systems to this changing climate, especially for low-income, rural communities.
“With Fiji presiding over COP23, I would like to stress the profound impact that climate change can have on agricultural development.
“Issues related to agriculture such as food production and food security are explicitly mentioned in the Paris Agreement concluded by COP21 in 2015.
“Through this conference, we should also discuss how FAO can best help member countries in planning and implementing actions, as well as in mobilising financial support to build resilience of rural livelihoods.
“The Green Climate Fund (GCF), for instance, is one of the mechanisms now available to finance developing countries in relation to climate change.”