Agroecology

11 January 2021

CFS Advisory Group and Bureau meeting

During the meeting the CFS confirmed the new dates of the policy process on Agroecological and other innovative approaches. Negotiations are scheduled to take place in two rounds during 2021. The first round will take place from 29 to 31 March 2020 and the second from 3 to 7 of May 2020. The negotiations should be based on the latest draft text available and published on July 2020. Please find here CSM comments to the draft, as submitted at the end of September 2020. The deadline of comments have been extended to 12 February 2021. The Policy Recommendations are expected to be adopted and endorsed by the one-day extraordinary CFS 48th Plenary Session scheduled to take place on 4 June2020. The CSM Working Group on Agroecology will soon resume its work of preparation towards this policy process that is expected to be highly controversial.

October 2020

Appointment of a new Rapporteur

The Rapporteur of the policy process, Ambassador Emadi from Iran had to retire from this role during September 2020. The CFS opened a new call for expressions of interest at the end of September and as a result a new rapporteur was appointed by the CFS Bureau in October. CSM welcomes Ambassador  Yaya Adisa Olaitan Olaniran, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to FAO, as the new Rapporteur of the process on Agroecological and other innovative approaches.

22 September 2020 

Written Submission and comments on the negotiating draft

The deadline for the submission of written comments on the latest draft of the policy recommendations text originally scheduled for the 15th of September was postponed to the 22nd of the same month. Moreover in the first half of September CFS members and participants were informed that Ambassador Emadi, Rapporteur of the process, could no longer continue facilitating the process and therefore the CFS Chair has opened a call for expression of interests to identify a new Rapporteur. Deadline for submissions of nomination is 2nd of October 2020. So far no calendar is available on the dates for the negotiation.

• CSM written contributions

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23 July 2020

CFS OEWG Meeting

Draft one of the Policy Recommendations was released on July 14th. The Rapporteur of the process has convened an OEWG meeting with the aim of presenting the first draft of the Policy Recommendations and hear the initial reactions from CFS members and Participants. Draft One will be available in all six FAO languages by the end of July 2020. While time will not allow for the preparation of a revised version, CFS members and participants are encouraged to send their written feedback by 15 September 2020 . The comments will be posted on the CFS working space to help prepare the ground for the negotiation process that will commence later this year. Find below the Draft One also available in:

Chinois||Russe||Arabe||Espagnol||Anglais

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16 June 2020

CFS Informal virtual Group Discussions

This fifth informal group discussion will focus on markets, incentives, agrochemicals, Covid-19. Here the questions to guide the discussion aimed at exploring convergences: a) How do you see the relationships between the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and the scale of markets (local, national, regional and international)? What are the main policy instruments addressing market failures and challenges that countries should prioritize?; b) A large number of countries currently provide subsidies/incentives for their food systems. According to what criteria should countries allocate subsidies/incentives in the food and agriculture sector to best secure the three dimensions of sustainability and to provide food producers and consumers with appropriate choices? c) Would it be possible to end agrochemical use in the crop, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture sectors? What would be the risks of ending or of not ending agrochemical use?; d) While new findings about the impact of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic on food systems continues to emerge, does the evidence so far (referring for example to the HLPE Issue Paper), show that COVID-19 impacts how we think about innovative approaches for sustainable food systems that enhance food security and nutrition? If so, how?

• CSM Contributions

Background document:

• Concept note for discussion

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4 June 2020

CFS Informal virtual Group Discussions

The fourth informal group discussion will focus on Right to Food, Gender and Agency. These will be the guiding questions to explore convergence: 1) How do different innovative approaches for sustainable food systems that ensure food security and nutrition contribute to the right to food?; 2) Do each of the various innovative approaches for sustainable food systems that ensure food security and nutrition contribute to gender equity and equality?; 3) Do you think that the 4 pillars of food security (availability, access, utilization, and stability) are adequate to cover all important aspects of how food security is achieved? Could the concept of agency fill in any gaps that may exist?

• CSM Contributions

Background document:

• Concept note for discussion

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27 May 2020

CFS Informal virtual Group Discussions

This third informal group discussion will focus on Agroecological and other innovative approaches (including relevant tools such as digitalization). These will be the guiding questions aimed at exploring convergences on the topic:

1. Do you agree with the HLPE report’s two broad categories of innovative approaches: i) agroecological approaches and ii) sustainable intensification approaches?
2. Do you agree with the HLPE report’s finding that agroecological and related approaches are more focused on transforming food systems, while sustainable intensification and related approaches are more focused on input use efficiency?
3. Are there any tools or technologies, for example digitalization, that could contribute to both of these approaches, and if so under what conditions?
4. Digital technologies are clearly here to stay but are not without their risks and challenges. What should be the focus of any possible recommendation(s) on digitalization in relation to sustainable food systems that enhance food security and nutrition?

• CSM Contributions
• Rapporteur’s Summary of the meeting

Background document:

• Concept note for discussion with guiding questions

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22 May 2020

CFS Informal virtual Group Discussions

The second informal group discussion, originally foreseen to take place on May 14 was postponed to May 22. The meeting will focus on identifying context‐specific strategies for sustainable food system challenges (assessment, diagnosis, and recommendations).

• CSM Contributions
• Rapporteur’s Summary of the meeting

Background document:

• Concept note for discussion with guiding questions

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7 May 2020

CFS Informal virtual Group Discussions

As a follow-up to to the last Open Meeting on 14 April and to the 17 April Bureau meeting, the Rapporteur shared a proposal of Concept Note and schedule for informal virtual discussions on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches, The purpose of such informal discussions is to address a number of outstanding issues in order to develop a First Draft which articulates convergence among CFS stakeholders. Prior to each informal meeting, a background document will be shared in order to facilitate dialogue on the specific issue(s) to be discussed. These efforts intense to ensure that the First Draft of the Policy Recommendations would be considered an adequate starting point for negotiation.

• CSM Contributions

Subsequently to the meeting a revised concept note and timeline were shared:

• Revised Timeline
• Revised Concept note

CFS Background documents foreseen for the 7 of May:

• Proposed Concept Note
• Proposed Timeline
• Background note for the discussion
• Zero Draft of the Policy Recommendation

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14 April 2020

OEWG Virtual Meeting

The purpose of the meeting is to open a dialogue among CFS stakeholders on the main areas of concern on the Zero Draft, while also integrating considerations on the potential impacts of Covid 19 on the substance of the policy recommendations.  An background document summarizing the main areas of concern emerging from the written feedback on the Zero Draft was circulated to serve as a basis for discussion, and to feed into the preparation of the First Draft. CFS members and participants were also invited to share views and reflections on ways to ensure that the policy recommendations on Agroecological and other innovative approaches will be relevant to the COVID 19 context and how the workplan and timeline for the policy negotiations should be readjusted in light of the current crisis.

Rapporteur’s Summary of the meeting

CFS Background documents:

• Draft Agenda
• Zero Draft of the Policy Recommendation
• Document summarising main areas of concern emerging from the written feedbacks submitted on March 26

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26 March 2020

CSM comments on the Zero Draft of the Policy Recommendation on “Agroecological and other innovative approaches”

This document conveys the collective response of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM) to the Zero Draft of the Policy Recommendation on “Agroecological and other innovative approaches”. The document is based on the ongoing work of the CSM Agroecology Working Group, which currently comprises 97 movements, organizations and networks from all CSM constituencies.

DOWNLOAD CSM CONTRIBUTION HERE!

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19 February 2020

Zero Draft of the CFS Policy Recommendations on Agroecological and other innovative approaches

Find here the zero draft! Translations in UN languages will be made available on 28 February 2020! This Zero Draft, prepared with the support of a Technical Consultant and the Technical Focal Points nominated by FAO, IFAD, WFP and the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, incorporates: i) feedback on the Rapporteur’s Note discussed in an Open Meeting on 27 January 2020; ii) written comments received in early February 2020; iii) written inputs received through an open call launched in November 2019, and: iv) the outcomes of Plenary discussion during CFS 46 in October 2019. Deadline for inputs is 18 March 2020. Find here the zero draft in all UN languages!

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3 February 2020

Submission of written inputs

Please find here CSM written inputs on the Rapporteurs’ Note discussed during the last OEWG meeting of 27 January. The English zero draft of the Policy Recommendations will be publish on February 18th, while the translated versions will be available from February 28th. CFS members and participants will be then invited to send written comments by Mid-March (date to be confirmed). Please find below CSM contributions and statements delivered during the first CFS Open meeting on January 27th.

• CSM Opening Statement
• Ali Aii Shatou – Co-coordinator of the CSM Working Group on Agroecology

• CSM comment on Recommendation 1 of the Rapporteur’s Note (only available in Spanish)
• Rodolfo Gonzalez Greco – Co-Coordinator of the CSM Working Group on Agroecology

• CSM Comment on Recommendation 2 of the Rapporteur’s Note  (only available in Spanish)
• William Martinez – MAELA

• CSM Comment on Recommendation 3 of the Rapporteur’s Note
• Andrea Ferrante – Schola Campesina

• CSM Comment on Recommendation 4 of the Rapporteur’s Note
• Ali Aii Shatou – Co-coordinator of the CSM Working Group on Agroecolgy

• CSM Comment on Recommendation 5 of the Rapporteur’s Note. First part  (only available in Spanish)
• William Martinez – MAELA

• CSM Comment on Recommendation 5 of the Rapporteur’s Note. Second part.
• Andrea Ferrante – Schola Campesina 

Find below the other written contributions received by the CFS:

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, European Union, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United States of America, CGIAR, CSM, FAO, IATP, IFAD, IPES, North America based scientists, PAN, PSM, WFO

Inputs on Rapporteur’s Note:

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, EU, Hungary, Senegal, Switzerland, USA, CSM, PSM, UNSCN, WHO

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27 January 2020

First CFS Open Meeting

The Rapporteur will chair the first CFS open Meeting that will be devoted to discuss the consolidated inputs gathered from the written submissions that should inform the policy convergence process. It will also be possible to follow the meeting via webcast by clicking to the following links: a) Morning Session; b) Afternoon Session. CFS Background documents:

• Agenda
• Consolidated inputs of written comments received
• Timeline of the process
• Rapporteur’s Summary of the meeting

29 Novemeber 2019 (extended to 6 December)

Deadline for the submission of written inputs 

CFS members and participants are invited after CFS 46 to provided structured inputs to feed an initial zero draft of a CFS Policy Convergence process, taking into account the main findings and recommendations of the HLPE Report and Plenary discussion. All inputs will be made available online, and will be consolidated by issues and shared in advance on the CFS first open meeting.

• CSM inputs to the consultation 
• Other comments submitted: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, European Union, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United States, CGIAR, PSM, FAO, IATP, IFAD, IPES, North America Based Scientists, PAN, WFO

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29 October 2019 

Letter from Rapporteur Ambassador Emadi

Please find here the letter shared by the Rapporteur of the Policy process on Agroecological and Other innovative approaches, Ambassador Emadi, and the workplan agreed by the CFS Bureau on 20 September 2019.

Process 2018-2019

October 2019 

CFS 46th Plenary Session and CSM Forum

The CSM Working Group on Agroecology was very active during October activities to prepare its own contributions to the CFS Plenary Session debate on this topic.

CSM Forum (12-13 October 2019)

The CSM WG had a dedicated session during the CSM Forum and in that occasion also welcomed the paper on Feminism and Agroecology prepared by the CSM Women’s Working Group to inform CSM positions towards the policy convergence process.

CSM Side Event (15 October 2019)

The Agroecology Working Group hold jointly with the CSM Working Group on Food Systems and Nutrition a side event titled  “Re-think and re-shaping Food Systems through Agroecology! CFS Policy Convergence process on Agroecology and Food Systems and Nutrition as the key opportunity to chart the transition to a truly sustainable future”. Please find here the summary of the side event.

CFS Plenary Session on Agroecological and other innovative approaches (16 October 2019

All CFS members and participants were able to provide feedback and input on the content of any CFS policy convergence process on this topic, based on the HLPE Report launched on 3 July 2019.  CSM Contribution highlighted our vision on agroecology, making clear that CSM will not compromise on the cohabitation of agroecology and industrial agriculture and that CSM firmly denounce false narratives and solutions. Please find here CSM full statement and at this link the video! Here the CFS Final Report and the verbatim of the Plenary Session.

Right before the Plenary discussion the US based organizations launched a statement to publicly denounced the US attempts to block the process and handled the letter directly to the US Ambassador in Rome before the Plenary session on agroecology.

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20 September 2019

Meeting of the CFS Bureau 

The CFS Bureau has appointed Ambassador Mohammad Hossein Emadi (Iran), Rapporteur for the policy convergence process on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches. Please find here CFS Bureau Outcomes.

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September 2019

Without Feminism there is no Agroecology! Towards healthy, sustainable and just food systems.  An input and vision paper of the CSM Working Group of Women. This document intends to inform CSM positions towards the  upcoming CFS Policy Process on Agroecology and other innovations. A shorter version of this vision is also included in the new edition 2019 of the Right to Food and Nutrition Watch of the Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition  This text is the outcome of an incredible collective work and was adopted by the CSM Women Working Group that counts with 190 participating organisations in August 2019. It wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and engagement of many special women.

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3 July 2019 

Launch of the HLPE Report

Full HLPE Report available here

Summary and Recommendations of the HLPE Report on Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition 

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3 June 2019 

CFS Advisory Group and Bureau meeting 

Within the agenda item related to MYPoW the CSM shared the following contributions:

Regarding the policy convergence process on agroecology and other innovations:It is very important that the Objectives and expected outcomes are clearly formulated. Therefore. it should explicitly state that the process will lead to policy recommendations on agroecological approaches and other innovations for adoption at CFS 47.

1. The text should also be slightly corrected by saying that the policy convergence process will not start afterCFS 46, but with the Plenary discussion of CFS 46, taking into account the importance of the Plenary and the substantial debate that will be held in this occasion.
2. It is fundamental that a proposal for the policy convergence process on agroecology and other innovations is agreed by the Bureau the latest by end of July, so that it can be submitted as a draft decision box to the Plenary in October.
3. For that purpose, it would be very useful to appoint as soon as possible the rapporteur of this process. As in previous processes, it is important that the rapporteur participates to the deliberations about the way how the policy process is set up.
4. We would like to remind as well that the design of the policy process on agroecology and other innovations should seek the best possible synergies with the process on food systems and nutrition, as they are interrelated in many aspects. A specific methodology should be worked out for that purpose.
5. Finally, it is recommendable to also include in this workstream the fact that it will be a contribution of the CFS to the UN Decade on Nutrition and the recently started UN Decade on Family farming.

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14 May 2019

CFS Advisory Group and Bureau meeting

A draft proposal on the process and timeline of the policy convergence topic on Agroecology and other innovations is submitted for debate and discussion. Regarding the discussion at the Joint meeting of the CFS Bureau and Advisory Group on 14 May on this topic, CSM is deeply concerned about attempts to avoid discussions on the process that will follow the HLPE report on agroecology and other innovations before its launch. This approach is unprecedented in the CFS: discussions about the follow-up of an HLPE report were always held before an HLPE report was launched, to make sure that the policy convergence process after the launch is clear to everybody. We also note that in all previous processes, the offer of diplomats to facilitate a policy process was warmly welcomed. Read CSM Contributions below to learn more.

Background documents:

• CFS Draft proposal on timeline and process
• CSM Comments to the agenda item

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28 January 2019

CFS Advisory Group and Bureau meeting

CFS Proposal for a follow-up policy process after the launch of the HLPE Report on Agroecology and other innovations

4 October – 5 November 2018 (Extended to 19 November)

HLPE e-consultation on the zero draft of the Report

All information on the process here!

• CSM overarching contribution (5 November)
• CSM final Contribution (19 November)

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February 2018

Selection of the HLPE Project Team for the Report on Agroecology

The HLPE Steering Committee has appointed the Team Project for the Report. You can take a look at their short bios here

December 2017

Collective contributions of the CSM Working Group on the Scope of the Report

Read CSM Working Group’s Submission to the online consultation

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November 2017

HLPE online consultation on the Scope of the Report

HLPE online consultation on the scope of the Report: Agroecological approaches and other innovations for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition

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October 2017

Extract from the MYPoW 2018-2019 approved by the Plenary Session of CFS 44

Agroecological approaches and other innovations for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition (2019) Rationale

54. The global food system is at a crossroads. In the face of a rapidly growing population, increased pressure and competition over natural resources, increasingly severe consequences of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, sustainable and innovative approaches need to be developed to successfully combat hunger and malnutrition. It is key to promote more sustainable food systems that produce more with more socio-economic benefits and with less environmental consequences.

55. Sustainable approaches and interventions have to address the challenges behind poverty and inequality, unsustainable diets and consumption patterns, soil degradation, land and water scarcity, climate change and loss of biodiversity. Given the challenges that food systems have to address in order to ensure food security and nutrition now and in the future, CFS seeks to build a better understanding of the roles that agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices and technologies can play. Proposed scope

56. The HLPE is requested to produce a report presenting evidence on the potential contribution of agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices, and technologies to creating sustainable food systems that contribute to food security and nutrition.

57. The HLPE is invited to analyze and provide evidence on the different approaches which could help CFS stakeholders develop a common understanding, and consider the trade-offs that will need to be made by policy-makers, farmers and other stakeholders when considering the adoption of different approaches.

58. Although particular attention to agroecological approaches is envisaged in the HLPE report, the Committee recognizes that there is no single practice for achieving food security and nutrition and sustainable and resilient food systems. The role of agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices and technologies in adapting existing knowledge and practices to specific conditions should be elaborated.

59. The Committee seeks to be informed through the report on possible synergies and integration between different approaches and on the common and distinguishing features of agroecological approaches in the spectrum of innovative approaches, practices and technologies to enhance the sustainability of agriculture. CFS 2017/44/8 Rev.1 13

60. The analysis of the contribution of agroecological and other innovative approaches, practices and technologies to meet future food demand in a sustainable manner should pay attention to the following elements:

 Potential to deliver at scale and have an impact on global food security and nutrition, with particular attention to food availability, economic aspects as well as socio-economic impacts, such as on employment;

 Contribution to improve resource efficiency, minimize negative environmental impact, strengthen resilience and secure social equity and responsibility;

 Examples of context-specific solutions associated with different stages of agricultural development and diverse local situations;  Types of markets and regulations that can create an enabling environment for the development of these approaches and for a positive impact in terms of food security and nutrition;

 Possible barriers to the adoption of certain practices and ways to address them, including controversies, uncertainties, risks and challenges associated to the development of these approaches;

 Review of extensive body of existing scientific and empirical evidence on the impacts of approaches which are being used to advance food security and sustainability. Objectives and expected outcomes

61. The objective for the Committee is to build understanding on the type of interventions, enabling policies and tools, institutional arrangements and organizational changes that enable and incentivize positive changes in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

62. The report and policy outcomes determined by the Committee should help countries achieve progress on SDG 2 (in particular 2.4 on sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices and 2.A on increasing investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, extension services and technological development), on SDG 6 (in particular 6.3 on reduction of water pollution and 6.4 on promotion of water-use efficiency) and on a number of others such as SDG 8 on sustainable economic growth, SDG 9 on resilient infrastructure and innovation, SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production patterns and SDG 15 on sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Process

63. To accommodate the needs of the Committee, the HLPE is requested to launch the report by March 2019 in order to give enough time to CFS stakeholders to analyze and review the evidence presented to draw lessons from those innovative approaches that contribute to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems. Should the HLPE need more time, the Committee may reconsider its timeframe for finalising policy discussions based on the report.

64. A facilitator will be selected among CFS Members to lead the process of identifying the areas of agreement and/or policy recommendations to be presented to the Committee for endorsement. Costs of the HLPE which need to be covered through extrabudgetary contribution

65. Note – the costs represent the full anticipated HLPE running costs for the period of the MYPoW, including the production of the two reports requested by CFS. A large proportion of HLPE costs are fixed, but are entirely funded through voluntary contributions.

66. The CFS workstream costs below relate to interpretation and translation. The need for these services may vary depending on the processes determined for follow up on each report.