Canadian farmers support modern agriculture at U.N. events
When it comes to international policy discussions, the most trusted and respected voice is that of the farmer. They speak with authenticity, passion and have hands-on knowledge about modern agriculture production and practices in Canada.
Discussions and decisions made far from the Prairies have an impact on domestic agriculture policy, the environment we trade into, as well as the development and acceptance of new agricultural technology. For example, multilateral institutions, including the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), set global policies and standards for the world to follow.
In 2015, the 193 members to the United Nations adopted 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) including one to ‘End Hunger’. Currently, the FAO is exploring what can be done to realize these goals and how to measure progress. As a member of the International Agri-Food Network (IAFN), the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is working to ensure modern agriculture is recognized as part of the solution, and that farmers are central to any solution.
“The Canadian Canola Growers Association is committed to ensuring canola farmers have access to innovative tools to grow their crops sustainably,” says Rick White, CCGA’s CEO. “Our interest is ensuring that modern agriculture is fully recognized as a solution to global food security, and that systematic barriers don’t infringe on farmers’ access to new tools – technological, chemical, mechanical or social.”
For more on CCGA’s policy and advocacy initiatives, go to ccga.ca and look under the Policy tab.
Having the farmers’ voice heard on the global stage is key to achieving that goal. Last fall, two meetings at the FAO headquarters in Rome provided a prime opportunity to do so.
CCGA attended the 45th Committee on World Food Security meeting October 15-18, 2018.
Decision makers and influencers from 40 countries came together at this annual event to discuss how to address food security, advance nutrition globally and explore a variety of issues relating to agriculture. This included policy recommendations on sustainable agriculture development.
White attended and presented as a panelist at a side event called The Future of Farming. He discussed the financial, social and environmental benefits conservation tillage has created in Canada. White highlighted how Prairie farmers are now using resources more efficiently and achieving environmental gains. While conservation tillage has become a regular practice in Western Canada, many developing country farmers continue to struggle with soil erosion and degradation.
CCGA representatives also attended the first ever FAO International Symposium on Agricultural Innovation for Family Farmers, November 21-23, 2018. The symposium theme was ‘Unlocking the potential of agricultural innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’.
“It is crucially important for farmers to have a say in the discussions that impact agriculture globally, particularly in showcasing the advancements we have achieved in Canada through technology.”
This important inaugural event was a direct response to member countries’ encouragement that the FAO empower smallholders and family farmers through innovation. Delegates from 92 countries attended. They included representatives from intergovernmental organizations, private sector entities, civil society organizations, academia/research organizations and producer organizations.
Jack Froese, CCGA board president, and Janelle Whitley, CCGA manager of policy development, took part in various bilateral meetings and special events focused on innovation. Froese presented at another Future of Farming panel event, speaking on the importance of seed breeding and his farm’s experience with biotechnology and seed pod shatter resistance. He highlighted seed innovation as an invaluable tool to increase yield, manage disease and climate pressures and use resources more efficiently.
“Decisions made multilaterally impact farming in Canada,” he explains. “As, such, it is crucially important for farmers to have a say in the discussions that impact agriculture globally, particularly in showcasing the advancements we have achieved in Canada through technology.”
“Globally, there are fundamentally different views on how to advance sustainable agriculture systems and the best approach to achieving food security and ending hunger.”
Whitley adds, “While Canadian farmers have embraced and fully incorporated technology, many of the world farmers, particularly those from developing countries, don’t have access to the same benefits. Globally, there are fundamentally different views on how to advance sustainable agriculture systems and the best approach to achieving food security and ending hunger.”
Attending and presenting at multilateral and multisector meetings is key in fostering further innovation not only in Canada, but across the world.
“The canola sustainability story is quite remarkable, and should be shared outside Canada,” says White. “Technology has transformed agriculture in Canada, enabling the efficient use of resources and softening agriculture’s environmental footprint, while achieving increased yields and enhancing their farmers’ livelihoods.”
CCGA continues to look for opportunities to raise farmers’ voice at a global level. Just as farmers’ direct conversations with Canadian consumers are powerful and leave a lasting impression, so do talks with the international community, where face-to-face interactions are highly valued.
Farmers are key in nurturing, maintaining and growing our market presence across the world, and ensuring access to the many tools which improve both environmental and economic sustainability. With exports valued at over $11 billion and canola contributing $26.7 billion to the Canadian economy, it is important not only to Canada’s 43,000 canola farmers, but to everyone in the value chain.