Universal food security is critical and underpins political stability, social welfare and economic growth. But myriad challenges exist in the water-energy-food nexus, including increasing competition for land and water, rising prices of fuel and fertilisers, and climate change. At the same time, smallholder farmers are often pitted against large-scale corporate interests. In many instances, they have no bargaining power, no voice, and are dangerously exposed to the capriciousness of day-to-day life.

Across the world, complex challenges abound. To help meet these challenges, the European Commission’s ‘Agenda for Change’ – a strategy for increasing the impact of EU development policy – urges support for sustainable practices in agriculture including:

• Safeguarding ecosystem services;
• Giving priority to locally developed practices and focusing on smallholder agriculture and rural livelihoods;
• Forming producer groups (farmers’ organisations);
• Strengthening supply and marketing chains; and
• Supporting government efforts to facilitate responsible private investment.

European Development Days 2012

Six panels will address the issues of sustainable agriculture, food security, and resilience: 

• A More Effective Partnership For a More Resilient World
• Resilience: the Nutrition Dimension
• Growing a Better Future for Farmers
• Community Resilience: Social Transfers
• Free Humanity from Hunger!
• Engaging the Private Sector in Sustainable Agricultural Development

European Development Days will also feature several special addresses and project lab presentations where participants can share best practices.