Abu Dhabi’s farmers are reaping the benefits of a new alliance after a local centre became part of a global group.
The Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre (ADFSC) was recently approved as a full member of the World Farmers Organisation (WFO), an international establishment aimed at supporting farmers’ causes in developed and developing countries around the world.
The new alliance, the second between a Middle Eastern country and WFO, will give Abu Dhabi-based agriculturists a voice in global policy forums.
“By advocating on behalf of farmers and representing their interests in policy forums, the WFO supports farmers in better managing extreme price volatility, leveraging market opportunities, and providing timely access to market information,” said Chris Hirst, ADFSC CEO.
WFO aims to strengthen the position of farmers, with a focus on smallholder farmers, in value chains that link rural areas with larger supermarket chains in major cities as well as export markets.
“Without small farmer-focused value chain development, increasing numbers of farmers will be marginalised and excluded from profitable markets,” added Hirst.
The global organisation, which is based in Rome, also aims to create policies to tackle climate change, food security and women in agriculture, who, according to a recent WFO study, make up the majority of the world’s farmers.
The organisation reports that women in agriculture face far greater challenges than their male counterparts when it comes to land ownership, markets, technology, water, education and other services.
