FARM seeks to reduce environmental pollution, safeguard human health and foster long-term agricultural sustainability through a dual strategy of in-country interventions and global coordination. The programme works to align policy, enforcement and finance towards the environmentally sustainable management of pesticides and agricultural plastics, reducing the use of harmful inputs and accelerating the adoption of low- to non-chemical alternatives.
FARM operates across seven countries and at a global level.
FARM in Ecuador
Ecuador is one of 12 megadiverse countries in the world and agriculture is a core part of its economy and culture. Smallholder farmers account for 64% of the countries’ production and agriculture comes just behind oil in terms of income generation. However, 34.3 million kg of pesticides are used yearly, with 44% of that volume being HHPs, putting the country’s biodiversity, environment and human health at risk.
The child project in Ecuador will make direct interventions at the national and local levels to address the barriers preventing farmers from utilizing more sustainable agricultural practices. Interventions will include implementation of a capacity-building programme and development of a national plan focused on reducing harmful chemical use, as well as using the global component to connect international buyers with local producers to motivate producers to use the best practices available and provide responsible products to a larger market.
Co-financing Partners
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Agencia de Bioseguridad Galápagos (ABG)
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Asociación de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador (AEBE)
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Consorcio De Gobiernos Autónomos Provinciales Del Ecuador (CONGOPE)
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Corporación Nacional de Finanzas Populares y Solidarias (CONAFIPS)
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Crop Protection Industry Association (APCSA)
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Ecuadorian Chamber of Agricultural Innovation and Technology Industry (INNOVAGRO)
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Heifer Ecuador
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Ministry of Environment and Water (MAAE)
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Ministry of Agriculture (MAG)
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Ministry of Health (MSP)
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Phyto and Zoo-Sanitary Control Agency (AGROCALIDAD)
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Pedro Mocayo Municipality
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Servicio Nacional de Aduana del Ecuador (SENAE)
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UNDP Ecuador
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Universidad Técnica de Machala (UTMACH)
Latest News
Contact
Mario Rodas, Programme Officer, UNDP
[email protected]
FARM in India and the Philippines
India’s agriculture sector has been steadily growing over the last few decades; over half of its population relies on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods and the country is one of the largest producers of key staples and cash crops, such as spices, wheat, rice and tea. In the Philippines, as of 2019, there were over 9.7 million agricultural workers yet only a little over 80 registered organic farms and companies.
This child project for India and the Philippines will address existing barriers preventing the reduction of the use of POPs and HHPs while supporting the development and scaling of alternatives. Key to this will be cross-country collaboration that facilitates the transfer of technology and the exchange of knowledge and experience. Activities will range from harmonizing legislative and policy frameworks on biopesticides, registration, or import/export rules between the two countries to establishing demonstration sites and providing on-field training.
Co-Financing Partners
- Department of Agrarian Reform Tarlac
- Development Bank of the Philippines
- District 1 of Tarlac Province
- Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
- HIL (India) Limited
- JC Dots Agri Trading
- Leganes Premier Land Corp.
- Taguibo Integrated Farmers Association, Inc
- UNIDO
- Vivekananda Institute of Biotechnology
Latest News
Contact
Ms. Carmela Centeno, Industrial Development Officer, Responsible Materials and Chemicals Management Unit, Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection, UNIDO, [email protected]
Ms. Maren Mellendorf, Industrial Development Officer, Responsible Materials and Chemicals Management Unit, Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection, UNIDO, [email protected]
FARM in Kenya and Uruguay
Agriculture is the backbone of both Kenya and Uruguay’s economies. It employs over 40% of Kenya’s population and accounts for about a third of its GDP, while 93% of Uruguay’s land is under agricultural production and provides produce for over 28 million people globally.
The child project will pilot solutions in Kenya and Uruguay, engaging with relevant national ministries and agencies, farmers organizations, environmental organizations, universities and research centres, and private companies. The policies and strategies developed or reviewed through the project will assist national governments and regional economic communities, such as the East African Community (EAC) and Common Southern Market (MERCOSUR), to improve their regulatory and financial frameworks to support sustainable agriculture.
Co-Financing Partners
- Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK)
- Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI-Kenya)
- Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD-Kenya)
- Effective IPM Association (Kenya)
- FAO
- General Directorate for Agricultural Services, Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (DGSA-Uruguay)
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB-Kenya)
- Juanco SPS Limited (Kenya)
- Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) and Organic Consumers Alliance
- Ministry of Environment (Uruguay)
- Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Kenya)
- Osho Chemicals Limited (Kenya)
- Pest Control Products Board (PCPB-Kenya)
- Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (PP&FSD-Kenya)
Latest News
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Call to shift from pesticides, plastics to alternatives, The Standard
Contact
Ms. Ivy Saunyama, Agricultural Officer, Pest and Pesticide Management Team, Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), [email protected]
Ms. Oxana Perminova, Agricultural Officer, Pest and Pesticide Management Team, Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), [email protected]
FARM in Lao PDR
The agriculture sector in Lao PDR employs about 61% of the country’s workforce, with almost 30% of that population being under 15 years old and most of the produce sold locally. Pesticide use has been limited due to the high level of subsistence farming; however, as farms move to commercialization, pesticide use is increasing significantly.
In the Lao PDR child project, the component activities will address issues relevant across multiple landscapes and crop supply chains. It has a strong focus on long-term sustainability, establishing systematic governance approaches such as a National Pesticides Alternatives Promotion Plan, developing financial products that will be available and relevant post-2028, and increasing capacity among key stakeholders, empowering farmers to continue implementing sustainable practices.
Co-Financing Partners
- Government of the Republic of Korea
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- World Bank
Latest News
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GEF funds project to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture, Vientiane Times
Contact
Mr. Bounchanh Kombounyasith, Director General, Department of Agriculture, MAF, Lao PDR
Mr. Thome Xaisongkham, Programme Analyst, [email protected]
FARM in Viet Nam
Agriculture is a significant sector in Viet Nam’s economy and culture. It accounts for 39% of land use, contributes to almost 12% of Viet Nam’s GDP and together with the wider agri-food industry employs almost 14 million people, with smallholder farmers making up a majority of the sector. Each year, about 9,000 tonnes of hazardous agricultural waste is generated, mainly consisting of highly toxic pesticides.
Utilizing innovative green financing mechanisms, the child project aims to reduce the use of and improve management of agrochemicals to create greater competitiveness and environmental sustainability of the agri-food sector in Vietnam. There is a large focus on ensuring local ownership and that technologies and techniques introduced by the project are simple, readily available and environmentally friendly to sustain continued use post-project.
Co-Financing Partners
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
Latest News
Contact
Mr. Vu Ngoc Chau, Senior Project Officer (Agriculture and Natural Resources), Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, Sectors Group, ADB, [email protected]
Mr. Arunkumar Samuel Abraham, ADB/GEF Senior Environment Specialist (Consultant), Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB, [email protected]
FARM Global Child Project
Agriculture is a major contributor to the triple planetary crisis. Annually, 4 million tonnes of pesticides are applied globally – a 74% increase from 1990 – and 12.5 million tonnes of plastics are used in plant and animal production. FARM represents one of the first concerted efforts to reduce and better manage the use of harmful agrochemicals and agricultural plastics on a global scale, bringing together multi-sectoral partners and stakeholders from around the world.
The global child project will coordinate activities across the FARM programme and provide a mechanism by which other FARM child projects can engage with international and regional stakeholders, including institutions, expert networks and platforms. It supports in-country child projects as a unifying communications, coordination and knowledge management platform. The global project will compile, curate and create information and solutions that help shift the global food system towards the environmentally sustainable management of pesticides and agricultural plastics, and utilizing the expertise of the UNEP Finance Initiative, develop metrics and tools for banks and investors.
Co-Financing Partners
- BioProtection Global
- Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention
- Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP)
- Natural Resources Institute (NRI)
- Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK)
- Rainforest Alliance
- The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)
- UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
- UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
Latest News
Contact
