Network focus

Secure access to land and natural resources (learning group 1), as well as to knowledge and innovation (learning group 2) are fundamental topics for all categories of agricultural producers. Small farmers, pastoralists and forest dwellers face particular challenges in these areas. This is even more the case for women and for minority or indigenous groups. Insufficient and/or insecure access to land, natural resources and new knowledge are key factors in low productivity and low incomes leading to temporary migration and even to the dropping out of agricultural activity altogether.

Demographic, ecological and large scale commercial pressures on arable land and water sources, as well as the renewed interest in agriculture in relation to the global food crisis have brought the discussion about land and about access to advice and innovation back to the international agenda. This is why we have chosen these two themes as learning groups in order to start the network’s internal discussion and knowledge exchange.