In the recently concluded 4th AFA General Assembly last April 23 in Ping Tung, Taiwan, the new officers of the Executive Committee for 2010-2015 were sworn into office.

The new leaders of AFA are as follows:

Chairperson – Mr. Tsai, Shun-Te, TWADA (Taiwan)
Vice-Chairperson – Ms. Jang, Jeong-Ok, WAFF (South Korea)
Treasurer (appointed) – Mr. Vicente Fabe, PAKISAMA (Philippines)
Secretary General (appointed) – Ms. Ma. Estrella Penunia

In a simple turnover ceremony, outgoing Chairperson Ms. Sudaporn Sittisathapornkul thanked AFA members for their support during her term as AFA leader from 2008-2010.

Incoming Chairperson Mr. Tsai, Shun-Te, on the other hand, thanked Ms. Sudaporn for leading AFA in the past 2 years and encouraged everyone to work together in making AFA a stronger organization.

Mr. Tsai also vowed to have more farmer exchanges among members from different countries.

The other members of the Execom are: Mr. Ishii Yasuhiro, AINOUKAI (Japan); Mr. Mudzakir, API (Indonesia); Mr. Uon Sophal, FNN (Cambodia); Mr. Kang, Woo Hyun, KAFF (South Korea); Mr. Panya Kongpal, SORKORPOR (Thailand); Mr. Danny Huang, TDFA (Taiwan).

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He was 51.

His 2 companions are in the hospital nursing gunshot wounds.

It was a high price to pay for selflessly dedicating himself to the agrarian reform movement.

He is one of the most respected, trusted farmer-leaders, and whose creative, dynamic ideas have fired the spirits of many farmers to make the agrarian reform program truly work in the country.

Continue reading about the murder of Ka Rene…

In this context, and in the light of the food crisis, food security requirements and the issues of climate change, sustainable , organic, ecological friendly agriculture  becomes the key strategic response that governments may take, as also emphasized by the report of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, Technology Development (IAASTD), signed by 60 countries and the World Bank.

With food surpluses being traded at local, national, regional and international markets, trade agreements that should be entered by ASEAN should a) preserve member state’s capacities to exempt sectors important to food security, livelihood security, rural development and poverty alleviation and ensure the benefit for smallholder producers; as well as b) provide sufficient safeguard measures and remedies . We ask ASEAN to ensure the participation of small scale rural producers in the policy formulation, implementation of these policies by recognizing their regional groups as an Advisory Council. Moreover, we ask ASEAN to enact and implement this agricultural policy through a system of governance that is transparent and accountable to the people by establishing processes and mechanism for social accountability making use of existing practices / approaches by member state.

We ask ASEAN governments, both at national and the regional level to promote sustainable agriculture by redirecting its agricultural investments, funding and policy focus.  Specifically, we ask that ASEAN and their member governments to:

1. Develop a common agricultural policy and action plan  that aims to improve access of small poor rural people to land, water and other natural resources, increase their productivity and incomes through sustainable, ecological-friendly agriculture  for the benefit of small-scale men and women farmers, fishers and indigenous peoples. The policy and action plan can contain clear objectives, targets, timeframes, and can use participatory processes involving lead agencies and departments and organized groups of small scale men and women farmers, fishers and indigenous peoples.
2. Corollary to this, establish a common agricultural development fund that will help carry out the action plan.
3. Emphasize the promotion of Sustainable agriculture in ASEAN’s SPA-FS and AIFS framework.  The development of this Plan can include workshops with various sectors to provide specific details to the SPA-FS.
4. Refine the ASEAN Rice Reserve/Food Reserve Scheme to help  stabilize rice supply and prices in the region; since the true spirit of economic cooperation and integration should be reflected in the way ASEAN addresses the issue of food security in the region.
5. In the area of  trade agreements that ASEAN and its member governments enter into,
   • preserve Member’s States’ capabilities to exempt sectors important to food securilty, livelihood security, rural development and poverty alleviation objectives from trade liberalization as well as provide sufficient safeguard measures and remedies.
   • develop ASEAN standards for sanitary and phytosanitary measures as a valid initiative to safeguard the health and safety of the region’s rapidly growing market which can be used to defend offensive and defensive interests of the region.
6. Regularly consult an advisory council composed of representatives of small-scale men and women  agricultural producers  (farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples) across the region on policies, programs and initiatives affecting, or has the potential to impact on agriculture.
7. Provide continuing processes and sustain mechanism that will strengthen social accountability towards realizing the vision for a people-centered ASEAN.

We , as civil society groups working for sustainable rural development, for the promotion of sustainable, ecological friendly agriculture,  and the development of small scale men and women farmers, fishers and indigenous people can cooperate with ASEAN in the formulation of these proposed policies and action plans. We can be active in task forces and committees that may be created. We can share our own experiences and technical expertise. Furthermore, we can help study how much governments allocate for agricultural programs and services benefiting small scale men and women farmers, fishers and indigenous peoples.

We fondly remember Ka Vic’s whole hearted interpretative rendition of the song “Anak” during the solidarity night of AFA’s 2nd GA in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2006 – our discovery of his fun-filled spirit, along with his seriousness as a farmer and cooperative leader dedicated to long lasting reform and concrete work on the ground.

Please extend your prayers for Ka Vic’s family and join the call on for a just and speedy resolution of his case.

Mabuhay kayo Ka Vic (Ka Roger)! We will keep your dreams for the small farmers in our hearts and minds, and continue our struggle, in solidarity.

Ka “Vic” has been over the past few weeks groundworking in Mindanao for the planned December 3  National Mobilization of farmers and various support groups to press Congress to pass the extension of funding of CARP and introduce necessary reforms to ensure its meaningful  implementation.

Ka Vic has been a recognized leader of a successful 6- million peso agri-cooperative, MIEDECO, a member of PAKISAMA. He rose to the leadership of PAKISAMA, a national confederation of peasant federations, becoming one of its Presidents and Executive Committee member.

He is also one of the leaders of PANDAYAN and AKBAYAN in Mindanao. A model of integrity, dedication, and industry, Ka Vic is undoubtedly a big loss to the peasantry and the broad social movement.

He is survived by his wife, Aida, and his 4 children aged 22, 19, 16, and 14.

Vicente “Roger” Paglinawan, 51, PAKISAMA’s Vice-President for Mindanao, was shot dead by two motor-cycle riding men in Malabog, Davao City. Three bullets were pumped into his head ensuring his death.

The Korean Advanced Farmers Federation’s (KAFF) commemoration of Lee Kyung Hae’s 5th death anniversary ended successfully.

The commemoration was organized in order to remember the farmer-leader’s sacrifice. Special rites were held before Lee Kyung Hae’s grave in his hometown.

Through these events, KAFF hopes that the public will remember Lee Kyung Hae’s sacrifices and think about the importance of agriculture and the lives of the farmers.

The Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Develoment (AFA) has also declared September 10 as International Farmers’ Day. On this day, AFA members in different countries will honor Lee Kyung Hae in their own ways and show commitment to stand up for farmers’ rights and to work for farmers’ welfare.

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This issue paper presents basic information on SP/SSM, reviews the G33 position, CSO position, and proposes advocacy points for farmers.
Written for AFA by Lany Rebagay of AsiaDHRRA.

Download the issue paper here….

Download the issue bulletin here…

Download the monograph here…

pics and stories here… 

Based on the endeavor to enhance farmers and their households’ capacity to access to information technology (IT), API in cooperation with Formasi Indonesia has been conducting Community Training Center (CTC) Program starting from August 2007. The objective of the program is to develop human resources in order to empower farmers’ economy. The program has been executed in six (6) location of six peasant unions member of API. The centers (CTCs) among others are located at: 1. Sekretariat API Bali at Jl. Banyubiru No. 289 Dusun Airanakan Banyubiru, Negara Jembrana Bali 82251. 2. ORTATA (Organisasi Taloa) at Jl. Sultan Kharuddin No. 28 Sumbawa Besar. 3. Sekretariat Paguyuban Petani Cianjur (PPC) 1 at Jl. Pagelaran No. 43 Cianjur. 4. Sekretariat Paguyuban Petani Cianjur (PPC) at Jl. Pangeran Hidayatullah No. 142 Desa Limbangan Sari RT 02 RW 13 Cianjur. 5. Himpunan Petani dan Nelayan Pakidulan (HPNP) at Jl. Merdeka KMP Situgede Wetan No. 18 RT/RW 02/06 Desa Cipanengah Kec. Lembur Situ Kota Sukabumi. 6. Kelompok Petani Perempuan Saluyu (PPPS) at Jl. Kp. Cisaat RT 01/01 Desa Caringin Kec. Kab. Sukabumi Jawa Barat 43359.

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