Experts and agricultural practitioners called for shaping fair and inclusive markets for small and marginal farmers to enhance their livelihood security and strengthen local food systems at a national conference here over the weekend. An emphasis was also laid on ecological farming in Rajasthan.
The two-day conference, titled “Food systems transformation: From ecological farms to fair markets”, was organised by Banswara-based voluntary group Vaagdhara, working on tribal livelihood issues, in collaboration with Germany’s Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the Centre for World Solidarity.
Researchers and policy makers from eight States deliberated on the solutions for climate-induced crop losses, fluctuating incomes, rising production costs, and limited access to stable and fair markets. The need for creating an enabling policy environment to make resilient food value chains and market systems was highlighted at the conference.
Vaagdhara secretary Jayesh Joshi said the restoration of non-dependent systems was essential for establishing the ‘market swaraj’ (self-reliance) for small farmers who could not be replaced with machines. “There is no need for external certification. Farmers can build a direct relationship with the consumers,” he said.
