What can be done to reduce the potential for conflict?
IFAD supports the facilitation of broad social dialogue, multistakeholder consultations and the empowerment of civil society to represent the various parties in policy-making processes and in development planning. These inclusive processes are essential, and have proved successful, for instance in Niger. But for lasting solutions, there must be a real increase in the productivity and profitability of livestock and cropping systems – which brings us back to the issue of more public investment. According to some, it does not make sense to support and protect lots of smallholder farmers, as large farms are more efficient. What is your view? I do not agree. With suitable investment, smallholders can produce as efficiently as large producers, and the immediate impact on poverty is greater. Small-farm development correlates clearly with rural poverty reduction and agricultural growth. After all, small farms are particularly labour-intensive, and the comsumption patterns of such households te
