Emerging Insights

Back in March, Farming First launched its infographic on the female face of farming. Since then it has attracted a lot of attention to the fact that women represent 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries and account for an estimated two-thirds of the world’s 600 million poor livestock keepers. Despite this, their access to productive resources is limited. In many societies, laws, tradition and access bar women from owning and inheriting land. Moreover, where women hold land, their plots are generally smaller, of an inferior quality, and with less secure rights than those held by men.

My thoughts on the state of the negotiations concerning agriculture at the UN Conference of…

On the eve of the G8 summit, G8 and African leaders met to discuss new commitments on food security and the opportunity and benefits of private sector investment in African agriculture and food sectors. With the likes of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Presidents of Tanzania and Ghana, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, corporate leaders and agricultural organizations all in attendance, the message is abundantly clear. Groups from farmers to development agencies have made it clear: If we don’t act soon, the situation will worsen and not only from climate change and political instability, but from economic factors such as rising food prices and unemployment.