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The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, José Graziano da Silva, emphasized the vital role agriculture plays in conflict prevention and the promotion of a lasting peace, at a forum on agriculture, defense, diplomacy and development. (3D Agriculture: Defense, Diplomacy, Development) in Paris
"Hunger and peace are closely linked: conflicts have a major impact on local food systems and contribute to the worsening of hunger in the world, "Graziano da Silva said.
Nearly half of the population in the countries affected by the violence live in rural areas, where livelihoods depend largely on agriculture. Two recent reports by FAO, the State of World Food Security and Nutrition (2017) and the World Food Crisis Report (2018) indicate that hunger is on the rise and that one of the Main determinants is conflict.
"But we must keep hope," said the Director-General. "Even in areas most affected by violence, farmers, pastoralists and fishermen continue to produce food."
Speaking of his visit to South Sudan last year, Graziano da Silva said he met with farmers and ranchers who produce food in the worst of circumstances. "But this capacity for resilience needs to be continually funded, because once local food systems are broken, it's harder to rebuild."
The Director-General also called for strengthening partnerships for peace between the humanitarian and development sectors.
"Humanitarian action, while fundamental, is not enough," he said. "This alone can not stop this trend of worsening food crises … We must add sustainable development actions to generate new opportunities."
The Director-General described a visit to Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria. Unless young people – especially young men – have a legitimate livelihood, they have no choice but to join armed groups or try to migrate in search of better living conditions. . "That's why support for local food systems plays a crucial role in contributing to peace."
Graziano da Silva described more than 40 years of FAO experience in livelihood support to save the lives of farmers, pastoralists and fishermen, including in conflict zones.
"The employment of youth and women is a crucial element of FAO's efforts to combat hunger in conflict situations: for example, in Niger, France's support to FAO and the World Food Program allows us to provide opportunities for women in the agri-food sector, which has resulted in a slowdown in the flow of people leaving their lands and increased resilience. "
" If agricultural activities are not supported, more and more farmers, shepherds and fishermen choose to abandon their land to emigrate to other countries: What is one? Shepherd without his goats? The Director-General also highlighted the Alliance of Nobel Peace Laureates, which brings together FAO experts and Nobel Peace Prize laureates such as Muhammad Yunus, Adolfo Peréz Esquivel, Tawakkol Karman, Juan Manuel Santos and others The Director General ral has described the laureates as advocates of peace "and passionate advocates of the belief that food security is an essential precondition for building a world free from hunger."
The Director-General concludes by quoting Nelson Mandela: make peace so that we can focus on the really important work that needs to be done, that is, alleviate the distress of the poor and defenseless, as long as humanity feels the pain from poverty, we all remain prisoners.
The forum was jointly organized by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Demeter Club, the international agribusiness association, focused on solutions for the future.
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