A forum on the subject concluded that it is essential to promote the development of a new form of agriculture, reducing the use of agrichemicals.

The forum “Climate Change, Problems and Challenges for Food Security” concluded that agroecological techniques need to be used to strengthen Venezuela’s food security and sovereignty. The activity took place in Barinas, Venezuela, on February 21.

The National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Petróleos de Venezuela Inc. (PDVSA sur) organized the event to disseminate information about the effects of climate change on food production in Venezuela and in the region, and territorial development in rural areas.

Referring to the most important conclusions of the event, the general manager of the INIA, Orlando Moreno, said it was essential to promote the development of a new form of agriculture, reducing the use of agrichemicals. He also said that selecting the right kind of seeds for different types of soils would reduce the incidence of pests.

IICA’s Representative in Venezuela, Jaime Flores, said, “We must utilize technologies that use natural resources efficiently rather than indiscriminately. It is essential to transfer knowledge to farmers so they can produce in a sustainable way, with less environmental impact, promoting food quality and safety.”

Flores also emphasized the importance of integrated farm management and of planting crops at the right time.

During the activity, three work groups were set up comprising international specialists from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela, in addition to producers and agriculturists.

Climate change has triggered unusual precipitation, interruptions in water supplies, high temperatures in general, and extreme heat in specific regions, all of which has affected agricultural production and pushed up the cost of food; hence, the need to make small-scale producers of what is happening and what action they can take.

During the forum, the participants also studied the impact of climate change on the resources of poor households, which are not in a position to combat its effects.

“Food security is the key to development, and climate change is affecting all four of its dimensions: the availability of food, access to food, the use to which food is put and the stability of food systems. Action on the issue is urgently needed,” said Jorge Díaz, an IICA food security consultant who coordinated the team in charge of the logistics and organization of the forum.

For more information, contact
jorge.diaz@iica.int