Small-scale producers in sustainable agrifood systems transformation

Abstract

Small-scale producers in sustainable agrifood systems transformation 1Chapter 2 5Understanding small-scale producers 5Chapter 39 Contributions of small-scale producers 9Chapter 4Constraints faced by small-scale producers Chapter 5Recommendations for expanding the potential of small-scale producers for sustainable agrifood systems transformation References iv PrefaceMillions of small-scale producers constitute the backbone of the economies of many lowand middle-income countries. This, however, often goes unrecognized. A consequence of this lack of recognition is that small-scale producers are habitually deprived of the support, in terms of physical, social and financial resources, that they merit. Despite being a crucial component of sustainable agricultural production, and providing employment and livelihoods for many neglected groups, including women, the young and Indigenous Peoples, small-scale producers are often unable to compete successfully with wellresourced large-scale producers. This has resulted in agrifood systems that harbour substantial social, environmental and economic inequalities. This review looks in detail at these issues with a view to highlighting the precarious situation of small-scale producers and how they might play an important role in securing sustainable agrifood systems, and in transforming agricultural production so that it meets the expectations of the 2030 Agenda.This review provides information that helps to improve understanding of small-scale producers and the contribution they make to social systems and agricultural economies.The review also provides a thorough account of the constraints experienced by smallscale producers and how those constraints might be overcome to maximize the contributions small-scale production can make to improved welfare and well-being of rural populations around the globe. Recommendations and suggestions are made for realizing the largely untapped potential of small-scale producers to contribute to sustainable agrifood systems transformation. Moreover, this review illustrates the benefits of moving small-scale production from a marginal to a central position, and how smallscale producers can be instrumental in transforming the prevailing industrial agriculture paradigm into one which ensures food security and nutrition for all.v Special thanks go to Ludovica Mei (FAO) for collating the information and coordinating the work, Jonathan Robinson (FAO) for efficient revision and editing of the text, and Adriana Brunetti (FAO) for the design and final layout of the publication.vi Key messages n There is consensus that current agrifood systems are not sufficiently fit for purpose. The industrial agriculture paradigm has resulted in systems with substantial social, environmental and economic inequalities. The increasing specialization and simplification of agrifood systems and concentration of decision-making power among a few actors is unlikely to coincide with resolving these challenges.Addressing them requires urgent and bold transformation, with a centra...