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Sustainable global forest initiative supports 10 countries
Posted On 02 Aug 2018
Ecuadornews:
The second phase of the program was presented at the XXIV Committee of the FAO that addresses the issue. In the country, the IAPA project will begin in October and will have the initial investment of $ 1.2 million.
The “Forest and Farm Mechanism Initiative” will step up efforts to help forest and agricultural producers and their organizations develop climate-resilient environments. In addition to business strengthening and the generation of work for women and young people, by creating enabling environments for rural sectors.
The program, launched in 2013, is promoted through an alliance between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and AgriCord.
To date, the international initiative strengthened the capacity of more than 950 forestry and agricultural producers’ organizations in 10 countries, reducing poverty, improving prices for producers and involving more women and young people in business development opportunities, among others.
A few days ago, during the Twenty-fourth Forestry Committee (COFO24), which was held in Rome, it was announced that the second phase of the initiative will be developed over the next five years, in 25 countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, a list that includes Ecuador. This stage of the “Mechanism for Forests and Farms” will focus on: Building and strengthening the capacity of forestry organizations and agricultural producers, with financial and technical support; Increase the number of companies, offering access to markets, financing and training.
In addition, to develop mitigation, adaptation and climate resilience activities, so that forest and agricultural producers restore and manage their forests and agricultural lands. Ecuador proposed to act quickly At the meeting, Jéssica Coronel, forestry director of the Ministry of Environment, not only raised a fast and effective action in favor of forests, but also stressed the importance of their care to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) .
“Deforestation is not only an environmental problem, but a socioeconomic one that must be attacked at its roots. There are numerous international agreements to reverse the problem. ” In addition, the delegation of Ecuador presented the progress of the Project for the Integration of Protected Areas of the Amazon Biome (IAPA).
In addition to the vision of the country’s participation in the Forest and Farm Mechanism, to make financing viable, reach agreements and provide donations to communities, indigenous producer organizations and governments, with the objective of strengthening forest governance by establishing alternatives linked to the bioeconomy.
The FAO indicated that in Ecuador the project will begin in October, with an initial investment of $ 1.2 million, nationwide, with particular emphasis on Napo, and will benefit 1,455 families of small producers.
The agency indicated that close to 1,500 million forestry and agricultural producers account for 90% of the world’s farmers, with indigenous peoples playing a key role in sustainable forest management.
Daniel Gustafson, FAO Deputy Director General at the helm of Programs during World Forest Week, said these groups make up a large part of the rural poor, who depend on agriculture, forests and agroforestry systems to produce food. (I)
