This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
June 27, 2020
As the world grapples with the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, global experts are urging governments to protect small-scale farmers from the devastating impacts of the crisis.
Oliver Page, a regional climate change and environmental specialist at the International Fund for Agriculture Development (Ifad), emphasized the need to prioritize small-scale farmers in post-pandemic recovery measures.
“Small-holder farmers are the most affected by the pandemic, in addition to the effects of climate change, countries must ensure that food production will not go down,” said Mr Page.
He also stressed the importance of equitable access to water and sanitation, highlighting that access to these basic necessities is a human right.
Mr Page warned that the post-pandemic recovery will not be business as usual, and that wealthier nations and individuals will have to pay more to ensure a green economy.
“Wealthier nations and wealthier individuals will have to pay more during post recovery of the pandemic but eventually everyone will pay that calls for governments to empower and protect the rural farmers,” he said.
Other experts, including Ifad's lead technical specialist, environment and climate, Nicolas Tremblay, and task manager Jonky Tenou, echoed Mr Page's sentiments, emphasizing the need to mainstream environment and climate concerns in development policies and to prioritize rural development in the face of climate change and the pandemic.
