ICC views on agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa (2009)

Contributing a mosaic of solutions to challenges through joint efforts

There is no single technology or policy to ensure sustainability in agriculture, as it operates in a wide range of geographies, climates and soils. Markets, policy frameworks and consumer demand all play a role, as do institutions and resources that support its implementation. For this reason, the International Chamber of Commerce believes in a multi-stakeholder approach to developing, promoting and achieving sustainable agricultural practices such as the Farming First initiative.

Agricultural food and non-food chains comprise many different stages and an increasing number of players. Achieving sustainability hence requires increased integrated approaches, to pursue food security and poverty alleviation (Millennium Development Goal #1), as well as environmental health (Millennium Development Goal #7). It also requires strong commitments, inclusive partnership (Millennium Development Goal #8) contributions and shared responsibility among all players involved.