The Asia-Pacific regional conference on the UN-declared ‘International Year of Family Farming’ will be held in Chennai from August 7 to 10. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will organize the conference in partnership with agencies like International Development Research Centre, World Food Programme and International Fund for Agricultural Development. Speakers from across the world will deliberate on themes ranging from the economic, ecological and social sustainability of family farms to gender relations and enhancing profitability of family farms. Technology, skill and information requirements of the family farms will also be discussed. “The United Nations looks upon this year as an opportunity to revitalize family farming traditions to take forward the overall goal of combating hunger across the world. In this context, the Asia-Pacific conference aims at bringing together global experts to consult on ways and means to achieve the ‘Zero Hunger Challenge’ by 2025,” said Peter Kenmore, FAO representative in India, at a press conference in Delhi on Friday. “The Chennai Declaration” emerging from the consultation, would lead to policies to strengthen family farms, not only in India, but across the Asia-Pacific region, he added.

Click Here To Read More