IYFF 2014 declared a success

MANILA, Philippines - The International Year of Family Farming came to a close on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 in Manila, injecting new vigor to the global campaign against hunger, malnutrition and poverty worldwide.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala accepted the “Legacy of IYFF 2014 and the Way Forward” on behalf of the Philippines from IYFF Steering Committee chair Lupino Lazaro before the 300 participants composed of officials and representatives from family farmers’ international networks, cooperatives, the private sector, academia and institutions under the United Nations.

The so-called Legacy document spells out the goals and strategies through which to sustain the momentum created by the yearlong global celebration.

“We acknowledge and lend our full support to the realization of the set of actions outlined in the document – from enabling policies, access to land and other natural agricultural resources, gender rights and women empowerment,  higher incomes and better quality of life, new technologies and innovations, strengthening  of farmers’ organizations and  a permanent platform for continuing dialogue among stakeholders,” Alcala said during the closing program.

Officials of various institutions under the United Nations, who flew in to Manila especially for the one-day celebration, lauded host Philippines as they declared the closing event a success.

Philippine hosting chores were spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, in tandem with the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Foreign Affairs and various peoples’ and civil society organizations.