E-Conference : Theme 6
 

 

Theme 6: Food sovereignty and access to resources

Dear ICARRD e-conference Participants,

ICARRD Issue Paper 5. Draft for discussion

For this theme discussion, I am pleased that we have the technical support of FAO colleagues:
Mr. Julian Thomas and Mr. Frank Mischler from FAO Economic and Social Department, Ms.  Margare Vidar from Legal Office, Mr. Thomas Price and Mr. Diego Colatei from Technical Cooperation Department.

In order to stimulate the discussion on theme No. 6 “Agrarian Reform in the Context of Food Sovereignty, the Right to Food and Cultural Diversity” we would welcome your opinion on the following issues:

1. There is some overlap between the right to food and food sovereignty, but these concepts are not synonymous.

    • Where do you see potential conflicts between the two concepts with regard to agrarian reform? In particular, what would the key elements be of a “genuine” agrarian reform from a right to food and from a food sovereignty perspective? And, would the conditions for its implementation differ?
    • Could you share experiences from a community where either or both of these frameworks have been used in a political process? Were they successful for representatives of the local community? Why/why not?

2. All human rights are interdependent. However, with regard to agrarian reform, some human rights, such as the right to food and property rights, can be regarded as more relevant than others.

    • Could agrarian reform lead to conflicts between these human rights?
    • Could you share examples of how such conflicts can be resolved?
    • Could you provide examples of positive practices to resolve conflicts between competing land-users, i.e., smallholders and industrial farming; agriculture and pastoralism, mining, tourism, less-favoured areas, mountain regions, etc

3. A human rights approach to agrarian reform implies that both the process and the outcome should conform to and promote civil, cultural, economic, political and social human rights.

    • What would this imply for agrarian reform in practice?
    • Which human rights should receive the most attention?


4. Accountability is a key concept in human rights based approaches. This means that government can be held accountable and that rights holders can claim their right and request recourse in case of a violation of the right to food and other rights.

    • Could you share examples of claiming such rights and of recourse mechanisms with regard to access to land?
    • How could government accountability be strengthened with regard to agrarian reform?

5. Agrarian reform has profound implications for indigenous peoples’ access to and management of land and other productive and natural resources, which is of particular importance to their cultural rights as well as economic rights, including the right to food. Many pastoralists, fisherfolks, and mountain dwellers, which together with indigenous peoples, are among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in terms of food and livelihood security, share similar interests.

    • What models of agrarian reform and which instruments would better address the interests, rights and concerns of indigenous peoples, pastoralists, fisherfolks and mountain dwellers? Why?
    • What processes, negotiation modalities and actions could be promoted which would recognize and take into account the specific characteristics, cultures, and knowledge, of these vulnerable groups and their contributions to food security and sustainable development in the context of agrarian reform?

6. Family farms, Indigenous Peoples, pastoral communities and fisherfolks contribute to the bulk of agricultural production worldwide. Their contributions to food security and sustainable development, and their crucial role in the preservation and maintenance of national and global natural resources, and biological and cultural diversity are increasingly being recognized at the international level.

    • What is your opinion about the protection, sustaining and promotion of small-scale family farming, artisanal fisheries, indigenous peoples’ agricultural systems and pastoralists’ practices?
    • Do States have the policy space necessary to protect and promote such agricultural models of production? What types of agrarian reform would better enable such actions?
    • Could you provide examples or prioritize actions conducive to support and promotion of such systems?

 

We look forward to receiving your responses to these provoking questions relevant to the theme.

Sincerely,

Rosalud de la Rosa
Moderator
ICARRD Secretariat
Email: rosalud.delarosa@fao.org