Knowledge Exchange Forum on Promoting Rights and Livelihoods through Forest and Farm Producer Organizations

Media is cordially invited to cover the Knowledge Exchange Forum on Promoting Rights and Livelihoods through Forest and Farm Producer Organizations, 9 December, at the RECOFTC Training Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Knowledge Exchange Forum on Promoting Rights and Livelihoods through Forest and Farm Producer Organizations is one of Asia’s most important events addressing challenges and opportunities of forest and farm producers.

The event, which will be held from 7-9 December, is co-organised by the International Family Forestry Alliance, the Asian Farmers Association for sustainable rural development and RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests, and the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF). Hosted at FAO, the FFF is a global partnership between FAO, IIED, IUCN, and AgriCord that aims to promote sustainable forest and farm management by supporting local, national, regional and international forest and farm producer organizations for improved livelihoods and decision-making over forest and farm landscapes.

In Asia, millions of smallholders (small farms that rely mainly on family labour) produce a large proportion of the region’s food supply and a range of other products and environmental services. Local communities are restoring and maintaining trees and are the best actors to contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. Many smallholders are involved in both agricultural and forest-based production. As producers of forest products, they face challenges similar to those faced by their counterparts in other continents. This includes lack of clear regulations on the ownership of forests, and lack of access to markets.

Organizing family/community forestry, farmers and indigenous peoples in associations (at local, national, regional and international level) is a step towards addressing these challenges. Better access to markets, for example, could potentially allow farmers to sell more produce at a higher price.

In Thailand, the government has set ambitious target to increase forest cover and to effectively tackle widespread deforestation in mountains. One of the most promising ways to address deforestation in the country is to work directly with farmers and support them in adopting sustainable farming practices.

By facilitating networking between farm associations and providing them with a platform to enhance their capacity, the Knowledge Exchange Forum offers solutions to forest and farm producers to overcome their challenges.

With Human Rights Day approaching on Dec 10, the Knowledge Exchange Forum which aims to bring multiple stakeholders together to discuss land and natural resources rights, comes at an opportune time.

Along with our partners, IUCN would like to invite you to attend the final day of the Forum.

In the Forum sessions, members of the press are required to observe the Chatham House Rule. The
Chatham House Rule reads as follows:
"… PARTICIPANTS ARE FREE TO USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED, BUT NEITHER THE
IDENTITY NOR THE AFFILIATION OF THE SPEAKER(S), NOR THAT OF ANY OTHER PARTICIPANT,
MAY BE REVEALED".

There will be interview opportunities with:

- Esther Penunia, Head of the Asian Farmers Association for sustainable development (AFA)
- Peter de Marsh, Chair of the International Family Forestry Alliance
- Y Voan Vu, Vice Director of Vietnam National Farmers Union
- Saw Khaing Oo, Assistant Director, Forest Department of Myanmar
- Ron Triraganon, Manager, RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests
- Martin Greijmans, Enhanced Livelihoods & Markets programme, RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests

If you are interested in attending the forum on Dec 9, kindly drop us an email at caroline.liou@recoftc.org or ann.moey@iucn.org by Dec 8, Thursday.

Who will be there
• Representatives of national or local family forestry organizations, or smallholder organizations whose members have forestry interests, smallholders from FFF – around 70 participants
• Partners: The International Family Forestry Alliance (IFFA), Association of Family Forest Owners Nepal (AFFON), The Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), Tree Bank, RECOFTC- The Center for People and Forests, WeEffect (Former Swedish Cooperative Center), AIPP, NTFP-EP