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Study on small-scale family farming in the Near East and North Africa region. Synthesis










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    Impacts of climate change on farming systems and livelihoods in the Near East North Africa. With a special focus on small-scale family farming
    Regional Initiative on Small-scale Family Farming for the Near East and North Africa
    2018
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    Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of eradicating poverty (SDG 1), hunger (SDG 2) and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) is not possible without directly addressing the impacts of climate change (SDG 13). Agriculture and food systems are on the forefront of this challenge and nowhere is this more evident than in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Climate change is projected to increase temperatures and extreme weather events and reduce precipitation and weather predictability. While there will be variations based on local specificity, this will result in a general reduction of the production and productivity of both crops and livestock throughout the farming systems in the NENA region. Small-scale farmers’ livelihoods are at risk due to their direct dependence on natural resources. Further, given that they are the main domestic agricultural producers, the impacts of climate change on these farmers extends beyond the farm to the food security of the region. This makes it even more important for policymakers to determine the most effective ways to support small-scale farmers to ensure that agricultural production and productivity can be managed under changing climate conditions and increasing uncertainty.
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    Apple-producing family farms in South Tyrol - An agricultural innovative case study 2014
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    Apple production in South Tyrol is a true illustration of a vibrant agricultural innovation system. It is a collaborative and pluralistic structure that comprises private and public actors, different tiers of producer organizations, cooperatives, research, extension and advisory services, all geared towards integrating small-scale apple producers in a highly productive, profitable and efficient system. Today, apple production is a main family farming activity in South Tyrol, practised on a total area of 19 000 ha with an average landholding of 2.5 ha. Up to 95% of the farmers are members of cooperatives. Over 8 000 small-scale producers have joined together in cooperatives that are clustered to form two main producer organizations. Small farmers in South Tyrol currently produce 50%, 15% and 2% of apples on the Italian, European and global markets respectively. The cooperative culture, the diversity of services, the multiple actors and their changing roles within the system offer a goo d opportunity for learning about the dynamics of agricultural innovation. This paper presents the evolution of this agricultural innovation system, and analyses the triggers and the drivers of innovation in the apple production sector in South Tyrol.
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    Advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market orientation and inclusive transformation
    A regional study
    2023
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    Small-scale family farmers are the backbone of rural communities in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Despite their extensive participation in the agricultural sector, these types of farmers and their farms are disproportionately affected by poverty, ultimately constituting about 70 percent of the poorliving in the region. Apart from adverse agroclimatic conditions, smallscale farmers experience several challenges that stem from their limited assets, land fragmentation and weak capacities, with negative impacts on their productivity, profitability and income. Specific constraints include low volume and quality of produce, high transaction costs, high costs of inputs, low prices and weak access to market information and postharvest facilities – all of which adds up to a limited ability to reach and compete in markets. Small-scale farmers need services that enable them to make informed decisions and facilitate their access to quality inputs, post-harvest facilities and more profitable markets. They also need to reinforce their capacities to act collectively and develop effective organizations that can articulate their demands, amplify their voice, and facilitate their access to services and markets. As a result of persisting gender-based social norms, women typically face more challenges than men in terms of owning assets, accessing quality inputs and services, reaching markets and achieving fair prices.

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