More than 90% of farms are run by an individual or a family and they produce about 80% of the world’s food occupying around 70-80% of farm land.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations launched the 2014 International Year of Family Farming to stress the vast potential family farmers have to eradicate hunger and preserve natural resources.
In both developed and developing countries, more than 500 million, or nine out of ten, farms are managed by families, making family farms the predominant form of agriculture. They not only produce about 80% of the world’s food but also serve as custodians of about 70 – 80% of farm land.
The State of Food and Agriculture 2014: Innovation in family farming, analysed family farms and their role in ensuring global food security, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
The International Year of Family Farming may be coming to an end, but family farming still remains a key part of the solution to the hunger problem. Family farmers need to be supported so they can achieve their full potential.
