COP30: Empowering Smallholders for Global Food Security
To achieve global climate and developmental goals, smallholder farmers must be at the center of climate action, according to Gabriel Ferrero, strategic advisor to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program.
Although food security is recognized as a fundamental priority under the Paris Agreement, agriculture and food systems have long been sidelined in climate negotiations.
This neglect persists despite farming and land use being among the sectors most vulnerable to climate impacts, particularly for smallholder farmers and small-scale food producers. Agriculture is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions but also a potential source of solutions. However, agrifood systems receive only a minimal portion of the attention and resources needed to address these issues.
- Agriculture and food systems are crucial for global food security and climate action.
- Smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.
- Agrifood systems have the potential to contribute to solutions for global greenhouse gas emissions.
Author's summary: COP30 must prioritize smallholder farmers for resilient global food security.