Forests securing livelihoods

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is hosting a session during the World Forestry Congress to examine the role of forests for food security, boosting resilient food systems, inclusive rural development and alleviating poverty in forested communities and the many family farmers living in forested landscapes. These elements are vital to understanding and sustaining the forest and tree-based foundations for the health and wellbeing of these communities and broader society.

This topic is particularly relevant as the world is going through accelerated climate change and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the session will highlight how forest and farm producer organizations are looking for options to protect and enhance the value of their biological and cultural (bio-cultural) heritage through market mechanisms, as well as to secure inclusive and equitable rights, access and tenure over the natural resources they depend on. The multi-dimensional resilience required from forest and farm producers and their organizations, as productive and protective partners of forest landscapes, requires strategic alliances with local, national and regional governments as well as with the corporate and financial sectors. 

Introduction and moderator

• Ronnakorn Triraganon, Senior Strategic Advisor at RECOFTC

Keynote

• Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Pan Africa Farmers Organization (PAFO) and President of Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF)

Panel

• Apollinaire William, Project Manager-Agroforestry for Livelihoods at Albertine Rift Conservation Society 
• Krystyna Swiderska, Principal Researcher on agriculture, biodiversity and natural resources at International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) 
• Ambrish Mehta, Trustee and Executive at Action Research in Community Health and Development (ARCH-Vahini)
• Ma Esther Penunia, Secretary-General at Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA)
• Desire Ouedraogo, Head of Programme and Design at Tree Aid 
• Nguyen  Thi Huyen, Viet Nam Staraniseed Cassia Manufacturing and Exporting Joint Stock Company