The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization finalized an agreement Friday to collaborate with the world's largest body of small food producers, La Via Campesina.

"The agreement marks a milestone in the relationship between FAO and civil society organizations, as La Via Campesina is the movement that brings together the largest number of small food producers on the planet," FAO reported.

Elisabeth Mpofu, General Coordinator of La Via Campesina, and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva

The announcement, formalized in Rome, reflects the new FAO strategy to work more closely with social movements, organizations and NGOs that aim to decrease hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.

FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva reflected on the role small farmers play in irradicating hunger.

"This exchange is important because FAO allies itself with a movement representing over 200 million farmers around the world and we join forces with a network that tries to innovate on many fronts to extend the right to food to everyone," Graziano da Silva said.

The agreement with La Via Campesina has been in the works since May, when the two bodies met in Jakarta to discuss possible strengthening of ties.

La Via Campesina is an autonomous organization that works with 164 organizations in 79 countries.

FAO will advocate politically for the independent organization to promote local food initiatives, projects and emergency efforts.

www.freshfruitportal.com