JUNE 2024
Monday 3
Suva, Fiji (June 03, 2024): In the face of escalating climate crises wreaking havoc on Pacific communities, farmer organisations are uniting to call for urgent action and increased support from climate finance mechanisms.
This call is being made as part of a Regional Training event for farmer organisations being held at The Pearl Resort in Deuba, Fiji from June 3rd to 8th, 2024, this critical event brings together 50 participants from 22 farmer organisations representing 12 Pacific Island countries. The event is being jointly funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union (EU), Food & Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Rural Forum (WRF)
The Pacific region is experiencing unprecedented environmental disasters, including devastating droughts, floods, cyclones, and rising sea levels. These catastrophic events are not only eroding livelihoods but also threatening the very existence of entire countries, displacing thousands of family farmers residing in coastal areas.
“The current state of emergency is not just altering food production patterns; it’s decimating crops and disrupting lives,” stated Kyle Stice, Executive Director of Pacific Farmer Organizations. “The climate crisis is touching every aspect of our lives, economy, and environment, driving up food prices, increasing poverty, triggering migrations, and worsening the impact of non-communicable diseases.”
The impact on smallholder farmers, who form the backbone food production in the Pacific Islands, is particularly dire. With limited resources to withstand extreme weather events, they face unprecedented challenges in maintaining their livelihoods and contributing to our region’s food security.
Despite their pivotal role, family farmers receive a paltry 0.3% of international climate funding, a stark contrast to the monumental challenges they face. This egregious underrepresentation underscores the urgent need for action.
“Farmer organisations possess the expertise and determination to foster climate resilience in our region,” emphasized Kyle Stice. “However, the current structure of international funding falls short. It’s imperative to align these resources with the specific needs of farmer organisations and enhance their technical and administrative capacities to deliver better services.”
To address these pressing issues, Pacific Farmer Organisations are calling for:
- Increased Allocation: Allocate a greater share of international climate finance to support family farmers and build climate-resilient food systems.
- Capacity Enhancement: Bolster the technical and administrative capabilities of farmer organisations to effectively access and utilize climate funds.
- Tailored Support: Provide direct financial assistance tailored to the unique needs of family farmers, accelerating their resilience-building efforts.
The time for action is now. By prioritizing the needs of Pacific family farmers, we can mitigate the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and pave the way for a more sustainable future for all.