Ecosystems and Well-being

Small farmers can feed the world, help protect the environment and also provide livelihoods to millions of families who manage them. In addition, they produce valuable farm commodities for market and add value local and global economy. Future of agriculture is in protecting, supporting and improving small farms and the families who manage them.  There are about 500 million small farms that provide direct and indirect employment to about 2 billion people. Small farms also generate valuable social capital by creating numerous opportunities for local community. They provide fresh produce to local shops, butchers, abattoirs, and support many cafes and restaurants that offer local cuisine, which is not possible without local and fresh produce. Local community depends on the viability of small farm and farming community, which are also source of employment for local population.  They act as a fabric spread over the landscape and enhance both social and natural capital of th