Agrifood systems

Agriculture has been a model for sustainable mountain development for centuries. Today, mountain farming and agriculture are undergoing rapid transformation, due to population growth, economic globalization, the spread of urban lifestyles, and the migration of men and youth to urban areas. It results in increased workloads for women, higher pressure on local resources and the increased vulnerability of mountain farmers to global changes.

At the same time, these changes can also provide opportunities for local development. For example, mountain people can diversify their income by engaging in non-farm activities such as tourism and the marketing of local handicrafts.

Worldwide, more than 80 percent of all food is produced by small-scale farmers. Small-scale farmers and pastoralists are predominant in mountain regions, where generally harsh weather and limiting topographical conditions prevail. Progress towards sustainable food systems cannot happen without improving the situation of small-scale mountain farmers worldwide.

Farming according to agroecological principles increases the resilience of mountain agroecosystems and supports the stability of local food production. Traditional and Indigenous Peoples' agricultural knowledge and practices are essential sources for the sustainable management of mountain commons and biodiversity conservation.

In a world increasingly aware of "environmentally friendly" and organic products, mountain farmers producing high-value, high-quality mountain products using sustainable methods can both tap into market demand and generate income. But too often, they do not receive their fair share of profits because of the many intermediaries involved in marketing their products.

Mountain communities need assistance to improve the entire value chain of their products so that they can enhance their capacity in production, processing and marketing. Access to credit, secure land tenure, support for sustainable agrifood systems, empowerment of women, and public investment in education, health, transport and research are among the key requirements needed to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems in mountain regions.