New FAO publication highlights successful examples of rural institutions

FAO 16 June 2016, Rome - Forest and farm producer organizations are key players in meeting the world's growing demand for food and forest products, improving the lives of rural communities, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  That is the key take-away of a new FAO publication launched today at the European Development Days in Brussels, Belgium, taking place on 15-16 June.

In the publication, FAO calls upon governments, development partners, civil society and the private sector to help channel further support to forest and farm producer organizations to enhance their ability to play a critical role as actors for sustainable global development.

"Through service-provision to their members, contributions to local economies and increasing engagement in policy-making, such organizations make solid contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals, bringing benefits not only to their members but also to people and the planet at large," said Jeffery Campbell of FAO's Forestry Department and manager of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) inter-organization partnership.

Forest and farm producer organizations are formal or informal associations created by their members as a way to address their own needs.

 The publication looks at a range of examples from around the globe that show how a variety of such organizations are succeeding in helping rural communities strengthen their own livelihoods and food security.

See more: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/418854/icode/