Global Family Farming Forum

Family farmers produce 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms, meaning that a significant portion of the food you eat each day likely comes from a family farm. In addition to contributing to food security and nutrition worldwide, family farmers also manage natural resources, innovate in the face of climate events, ensure the cohesion of rural communities, and protect cultural heritage.

But family farming has even greater potential. With stronger support through public policies and investments, more could be done. The UN Decade of Family Farming 2019–2028 (UNDFF) provides just such a framework for developing, improving and implementing public policies and investments that support family farming. Since its launch in 2019, it has facilitated policy adoption in countries around the world, increasingly engaging governments in conversations about family farming and making commitments to support family farming worldwide.

Global Family Farming Forum
In 2024, the UNDFF is halfway there. To celebrate this important milestone, a Global Forum will be held at FAO Headquarters from 15 to 17 October 2024. The event, co-organized by FAO and IFAD, will celebrate family farming as the backbone of diversified, innovative and dynamic agri-food systems; identify policy innovations that support family farming; and showcase examples of successful experiences from around the world. With an eye on innovation, gender equality, science, investment and support for family farming, the Forum will be led by young farmers who will lead discussions on priorities for the future of agri-food systems.

Family farmers are food heroes!
The Global Family Farming Forum will pay tribute to family farmers around the world, held in a dedicated farm building on the FAO grounds. Participants will have the opportunity to explore an exhibition celebrating the diversity of family farming, examples of innovative and interactive solutions, an exciting programme of sessions, and an on-site radio station that will broadcast additional discussions and interviews to listeners around the world!

Government representatives, government agencies, UN agencies, family farmers and their organizations, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, academia and media will all come together for an event where important discussions on important issues will take place.

United around the theme of “Good Food for All, Today and Tomorrow,” the Global Family Farming Forum takes place the same week as the World Food Forum. Click here to learn more.

Family farming is…?
What does family farming mean to you? Share your thoughts on family farming in this milestone year for UNDFF by using the hashtag #FamilyFarming and following @FAOFFKP and @FAO_AgriFam on X (formerly Twitter).

Other events in 2024

The year 2024 sets the stage for a series of seminars on the future of family farming:

Why does family farming still exist?
Backed by statistical evidence and real-life testimonies, we explore how family farms are adapting to changing circumstances and continuing to be important to both rural and urban communities. Watch the webcast.

Family farming and climate-resilient food systems
Agri-food systems face many environmental challenges, but family farms have enormous potential to drive sustainable transformation. With coherent, holistic and integrated policies, family farmers could increase their contribution to climate-resilient agri-food systems. Watch the webcast.

Global Reference Tool for Family Farming Policy
The Educational Framework for Inclusive, Integrated and Innovative Public Policy Cycles in Family Farming is a global reference tool for family farming policies, adapted to local, national and regional priorities, supporting the conception, design and implementation of contextualised public policies.

Public procurement programs for family farming

In examining the role of public procurement programmes in family farming, we will look at global challenges, supporting tools, and good examples of school feeding policies and programmes.

Session One: Family Farming in Various Public Procurement Mechanisms

Session Two: Tools for Implementing Public Procurement Programs and Policies for Family Farming

Rural Communication Services (RCS) and inclusive innovation approaches for family farming

By analysing perspectives, trends and experiences in RCS, we explore approaches to inclusive innovation in family farming and a framework for the identification of ideas and cross-fertilisation between RCS and innovation for the development of family farming.

Watch the webcast (morning session)

Watch the webcast (afternoon session)

Why does family farming still exist?	Backed by statistical evidence and real-life testimonies, we explore how family farms are adapting to changing circumstances and continuing to be important to both rural and urban communities. Watch the webcast.
Family farming and climate-resilient food systems	Agri-food systems face many environmental challenges, but family farms have enormous potential to drive sustainable transformation. With coherent, holistic and integrated policies, family farmers could increase their contribution to climate-resilient agri-food systems. Watch the webcast.
Global Reference Tool for Family Farming Policy	The Educational Framework for Inclusive, Integrated and Innovative Public Policy Cycles in Family Farming is a global reference tool for family farming policies, adapted to local, national and regional priorities, supporting the conception, design and implementation of contextualised public policies.
Public procurement programs for family farming	In examining the role of public procurement programmes in family farming, we will look at global challenges, supporting tools, and good examples of school feeding policies and programmes. Session One: Family Farming in Various Public Procurement Mechanisms Session Two: Tools for Implementing Public Procurement Programs and Policies for Family Farming
Rural Communication Services (RCS) and inclusive innovation approaches for family farming	By analysing perspectives, trends and experiences in RCS, we explore approaches to inclusive innovation in family farming and a framework for the identification of ideas and cross-fertilisation between RCS and innovation for the development of family farming. Watch the webcast (morning session) Watch the webcast (afternoon session)