COP30: Empowering Smallholders for Global Food Security
To achieve global climate and developmental goals, smallholder farmers must be at the center of climate action, according to Gabriel Ferrero, strategic advisor to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program.
Agriculture and food systems have been neglected in climate negotiations despite being recognized as a fundamental priority under the Paris Agreement. Farming and land use are highly vulnerable to climate impacts, particularly for smallholder farmers and small-scale food producers.
Agriculture is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also a potential source of solutions.
- Agrifood systems receive only 4.3% of total climate finance.
- Smallholder farmers produce up to 80% of food in developing countries but receive only a minimal portion of climate finance.
Author's summary: Empowering smallholder farmers is crucial for global food security.