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Rio+20

The Farmers Major Group statement at the Rio+20 conference highlighted the need for the outcomes of the Rio Conference on Sustainable Development to link the concept of food security more effectively to farming.

“On behalf of the Farmers Major Group, we wish to congratulate the member states for having stressed clearly, in the preparatory process, and now in the Zero Draft, that agriculture in all its dimensions will be a core issue in Rio. The member states made clear that there is no sustainable development, there is no ‘green economy’, without sustainable agriculture. Farmers are key for poverty reduction, decent livelihoods, eradication of hunger and it is crucial if we want to safeguard the natural resources to ensure a sustainable future for all. However, the section on food security and sustainable agriculture still lacks in urgency and political commitment. Quite simply, food security cannot happen without farmers.”

It was an honour for me to deliver the statement as a representative of the World Farmers Organisation, an organizing partner of the Farmers Major Group at the United Nations.

Robynne Anderson

Robynne has extensive experience in the agriculture and food sector, working throughout the value chain – from basic inputs to farmers in the field to the grocery store shelf. She works internationally in the sector, including speaking at the United Nations on agriculture and food issues, and representing the International Agri-Food Network at the UN.Throughout her career she has worked with farm organisations like the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi and the Himalayan Farmers Association, as well as global groups, to further the voice of agriculture in the food debate. She has also worked with Fortune 500 companies growing worldwide businesses to assist them with issues management and strategy decisions.

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