June 21, 2024 | World Farmer Organization | Source |
The World Farmers Organzation (WFO) 2024 Annual Meeting concluded on June 20 with a session focused on “Harvesting Tomorrow: Farmers Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Food Production.” Moderated by Dimitri Houtart, BBC Rural Affairs Champion, the session featured discussions on regenerative agriculture, agro-innovation, sustainable finance, trade regulations, and climate action.
Key debates included the financial burdens of transitioning to regenerative agriculture, with contributions from stakeholders like Sareh Forouzesh of Regen10 and various farmers' representatives. Discussions also covered AI and new technologies in farming, featuring Theo de Jager of Southern African Agri Initiative and other experts.
The financial challenges in sustainable agriculture were highlighted by Carlos Watson of FAO and farmer representatives, who stressed the need for increased and accessible climate finance. The role of international trade in achieving sustainable food systems was discussed, emphasizing policy support for fair and transparent trading environments.
The session underscored the integration of agriculture into climate action, reflecting on the outcomes of COP28 and setting the stage for future contributions to COP30. David Nabarro of 4SD Foundation emphasized the crucial role of farmers in global food systems and called for their empowerment in decision-making processes.