Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

For responsible land governance

Article, 08.12.2014

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to a standard for well-being. By supporting the cause of smallholder farmers and the principle of responsible land governance, the SDC contributes to ensuring food security for the biggest number. It is involved both at the local and at the global level.

Rice farmers in Khammunae province taking break during paddy fie. — To defend the interests of smallholder farmers with respect to large investors, the SDC carries out projects in several countries, including Laos. © SDC

Together with other principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to a standard of living adequate for the well-being of oneself and one’s family, including the right to food, is fundamental. The International Year of Family Farming observed in 2014 reminds us of the need for smallholder farmers to have access to arable land and to be able to control the management of it.

Project

Two men listening to an instructor — © SDC

The SDC works to ensure food security for all and has made responsible land governance one of its priorities. To defend the interests of smallholder farmers with respect to large investors and to ensure a balanced dialogue between all actors, it is carrying out projects in several countries, such as this in the Mekong region, in Southeast Asia.

"Supporting access to natural resources for smallholder"

Global Brief

Rye harvest in Bangladesh. — Rye harvest in Bangladesh. © SDC

The discussions conducted at the national and local levels have better prospects of success if they can be integrated into an internationally negotiated framework. This is why, at the same time as the projects it supports on the ground, the SDC takes a leading role in the formulation and adoption of directives and voluntary principles to be applied to investments in agriculture by international entities.

"Food security: innovative and broad-based standards" 3/2014 (PDF, 4 Pages, 334.7 kB, English)

Other languages
Ernährungssicherheit: Innovative und breit abgestützte Standards

Agenda

The SDC is organising a public round table to discuss the issue of the absence of the right to access land for the poorest and ways to address this question on 9 December 2014, at the "Käfigturm" in Bern.

Public round table

Links

Documents

Gender and Food Security (en) (PDF, 104 Pages, 2.6 MB, English)

Last update 19.07.2023

Contact

FDFA Communication

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+41 58 460 55 55

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