The world faces great challenges in the next few decades, as world population grows and pressure on natural resources increases. Addressing the common need for food, feed, fibre and fuel requires a global action plan to increase agricultural output in an environmentally-sustainable, economically-feasible, socially-responsible manner. We need to focus on farmers and the tools and information they need to steward land, grow crops, bring in their harvest and then get it to market. While modern agricultural technologies and management approaches have doubled the production of world food calories over the past half-century, many smallholder farmers struggle to achieve even the most basic level of subsistence. Plant science can be part of the solution but new investments, incentives and innovations are needed to achieve greater sustainability, while delivering increased agricultural production.

The outcome of CSD 17 (4-15 May 2009) was a very positive, the final text marking a focus on farmers, and the importance of farming in food security and poverty abatement.  Business and Industry major group had several opportunities to speak on the issues of agriculture, Africa, rural development, drought, and desertification throughout the session.

In its opening statement, Business and Industry highlighted the importance of working with all stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions for increasing productivity, as well as the role of science, technology and R&D in providing innovative tools. In subsequent statements, Business and Industry brought forward the contributions made by the private sector to agricultural productivity and rural development, and its commitment to collaborative, knowledge-based approaches that place farmers at the center.

Additionally, CropLife along with its Farming First partners had the opportunity to deliver a separate ‘Farming First’ statement during the interactive dialogues session. Summarising the six pillars of Farming First, the speech paid particular attention to the need for agriculture to remain at the top of the policy agenda and the importance of a realistic, action –oriented outcome for CSD.
 

• view our Farming First dialogue speech from CSD 17
• view our Farming First leaflet
• visit the Farming First website
• view the Business and Industry opening statement from CSD 17
• view the Business and Industry dialogue statement from CSD 17
• view the Business and Industry "Shared Vision" intervention statement from CSD 17

Business and Industry, Farmers and Scientists held a lunch event on 5 May 2009 from 1.15 pm in the Delegates Dining Rooms at the UN Headquarters.  The event focused on roundtable discussions around nine questions, aiming to draw out concrete examples of successful policies and suggestions for governments. 

• Summary of Outcomes of Roundtable Discussions 

In February 2009, during the Intergovernmental Preparatory Session (IPM) for CSD 17, CropLife also co-sponsored an event and a press conference.

Below are a selection of interviews from the Farming First conference held on 24 February 2009

• 'Farming First' Conference - Speaker: Ajay Vashee 
• Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda - Why $100 is Better than $1000 
• 'Farming First' Conference - Interview: Howard Minigh discussing Farming First and the importance of agriculture and sustainability
• 'Farming First' Conference - Q&A

For further information, please contact:

Isabelle Coche
Isabelle.coche@croplife.org