SDC’s work in supporting smallholders and family farms in developing countries

The UN has declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF). The goal is to raise the profile of smallholders and family farms by focusing world attention on their role in alleviating hunger and poverty. Improving conditions for smallholders and family farms are central goals of the IYFF.

To mark the IYFF, a national Swiss committee composed of agriculture and development cooperation representatives has been established in Switzerland. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has an observer status in the committee.

The following projects show the SDC’s work in supporting smallholders and family farms in developing countries:

Changing course in global agriculture: Nourish our People – Nurture our Planet	More rice with less water
Plant clinics and doctors to reduce crop losses	Rural development in West Africa: Multifaceted support
Increasing the revenue of rural households in Tanzania	Using seeds to guarantee food security and preserve biodiversity

• International Year of Family Farming – Swiss Website (d,fr)

  www.familyfarming.ch

Three films produced by the SDC address the issue of smallholder farming in developing countries: "Can we feed the world?, " Today’s reality of smallholder farms” and " “Realizing the potential of smallholder farming”. Films