Water and Food Security
Sunday, 11 March 2012 15:22
 Water and Food Security
facing global change: what challenges, what solutions? The issue of water for agriculture now becomes central to food security. Better water access and management for agriculture and livestock are essencial and critical to reduce hunger (700 million among the one billion hungry people live in rural areas), prevent risks, limit the social and political instabilities and improve incomes and food supply of vulnerable rural families. This document was produced by the CGAAER ("Think Tank" of the French Ministry of Agriculture) as a contribution for the 6th World Water Forum in 2012. Among the seven priorities for action identified, the report reiterates the importance of supporting the small farmers to address the food challenge and support a sustainable rural development. AVSF directly contributed to this reflection by providing experiences validated with its partners in the South, particularly in Ecuador and Mali. Read more
In defence of family farms
Sunday, 15 April 2012 19:50
 In defence of family farms: Which ones and why? (synthesis) The Agriculture and Food Commission of Coordination SUD (the French NGOs network) undertook this study in an attempt to put family farming back into it rightful place as the core business of develop- ment in the South. It underlines the benefits of small farms for employment, poverty reduction, cost effectiveness, reducing hunger, respecting the environment and restoring life to rural areas. Read more
AVSF and fair trade
Wednesday, 29 February 2012 08:40
 For a system of fair trade which favours small farming organisations: a new AVSF reference text
Since the end of the eighties, fair trade has experienced a considerable boom and development which without doubt reaches well beyond the expectations of those who were behind the initial launch. AVSF has seen the impact of Max Havelaar-Flo fair trade labelling in working alongside an important number of Producers’ organisations in southern countries (more than 50 today). However, the basis of fair trade has been overwhelmed due to an important increase in commercial growth, the inclusion of new modes of production, the increased participation of food industry multinationals and large distribution as well as the new systems of certification. These changes are at the root of questions arising for the small producers in the South and for consumers in the North. Produced by AVSF, this reference text intends to make an active contribution to works and debates upon present and future challenges for fair trade, and advocates for a fair trade that favours always and before any other consideration, producers’ organisations.
Land Investments in the South
Saturday, 07 January 2012 17:23
 Smallholder Farming, Civil Society, and Land Investment in Developing Countries
The phenomenon of rapid rise in large-scale land acquisition and rental in developing countries has recently drawn considerable attention because of the risks and challenges it raises. To fuel the discussions on the subject, Coordination SUD’s Agriculture and Food Commission (C2A), already active in advocating for the defense of smallholder farming, therefore decided to conduct, with the support of AVSF, an original study on massive investment in land from the still poorly documented angle of the mobilization of civil society actors.
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Public policies for family farming
Sunday, 15 April 2012 19:48
 Which public policies for family farming in developing countries? Produced by Coordination Sud (French NGOs network), this document is for all those who wish to support family farming, through national public policies in developing countries, and development aid and agricultural and trade policies in developed countries. It describes interventions that have helped remove some of the constraints to the development of family farming in specific contexts. Read more
Scoring criteria method for FO
Sunday, 26 February 2012 11:37
 Scoring criteria: a participative method to evaluate and strengthen farmer organizations
The method was adapted in the frame of Komrong Daikou project led by AVSF in Cambodia between 2007 and 2010, which aimed at reducing poverty by strengthening Farmers Organisations (FOs). The project encouraged FOs to develop useful services to their members through a capacity building process including scoring criteria method. It involves FO leaders and members in defining evaluation criteria of well-managed and successful FO, according to their nature and objectives, and of their projects/activities, scoring these criteria and using the results to adapt support and improve themselves.
Access to water for small farmers
Wednesday, 29 February 2012 23:22
 Guaranteeing access to water for small farmers
Written by AVSF, GRET, CCFD and AGTER, the note produced as part of the "Agriculture and Food" Committee of Coordination Sud, presents the views of French NGOs in order to defend and guarantee the basic right of access to water for small farmers of the South. With the upcoming World Water Forum (Marseille, 2012), this is indeed a fundamental struggle. Read more
Quality animal health devices
Saturday, 07 January 2012 16:52
 Quality animal health arrangements: lessons from the AVSF experience
For 25 years, AVSF cooperate in the South for the implementation of animal health services that allow both to manage health risks and to effectively support the development of small scale livestock farming. This publication presents different approaches and methods for proximity sustainable and quality arrangements. The publication shows that a suitable device is not limited to the mere formation of auxiliary farm, but must take into account all the actors of animal health: the national health, private veterinarians, and finally the auxiliary animal health and livestock producers and their associations : major links of epidemiological surveillance networks.
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