Policy Instrument:
Definition
A family farming registry is a specialised administrative information asset comprising a collection of data on a type of family farming entity, obtained through a data capturing process conducted by a competent public institution. Family farming registers can be defined based on the subjects that constitute family farming, as defined by each country, and which can be based on resource endowments, land-family labor ratios, and levels of commercialization and income diversification. The primary purpose of this asset is to “qualify” these subjects as family farmers for the implementation of targeted policies.
Rationale
The importance of family farming in food systems justifies the need to create targeted public policies that are differentiated or that prioritise family farmers. A dedicated family farming registry allows governments to obtain high-quality, actionable data required to formulate and implement these tailored public policies with accurate focus to address the sector's specific needs and potential. By precisely identifying subjects that compose family farming, governments enhance their strategic decision-making, generate appropriately disaggregated statistics, and support the rigorous monitoring and evaluation of policy effectiveness.
Key features
- Beneficiary classification: There are various types of registers that can be used, depending on the objective, such as registers of persons, registers of productive units, or registers of organizations (legal persons represented in different entities). These registries capture targeted data across multiple typologies to formally qualify subjects as family farmers based on specific national criteria.
- Standardised data capture: Employs systematic data collection processes (whether printed or digital) and operates within a framework of functions and powers formally established in legal, regulatory, or programmatic instruments.
- System interoperability: When linked to social protection information systems, family farming registries can help to increase policy coherence and coordination across both agricultural and social development sectors.
- Administrative efficiency: Prevents the duplication of interventions, reduces the administrative cost and burden of data collection, and enhances overall data accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
Family farmers, in particular small scale family farmers, women and youth farmers, and their organizations
Prior conditions required for success in implementation:
- Both conceptual and operational definitions of family farming are a prerequisite. To apply tailored public policies effectively, a conceptual definition of family farming is insufficient. It is necessary to develop an operational definition to identify the different subjects involved, such as family farmers, family production units, or family farming organizations. This requires defining variables and establishing the maximum or minimum thresholds for these variables to determine whether the subject qualify as a "family farm" or not. The state can identify subjects for targeted action toward specific populations only with an operational definition.
- Additionally, to develop family farming registers, it is essential to have public policies specifically aimed at family farming. Ideally, these policies should be consolidated in laws to ensure their continuity despite changes in government or administration. Targeted policies must identify the various subjects within family farming to be effective in achieving their objectives, which justifies the necessity for a methodological tool like registers.
- Another necessary condition is a clear institutional framework. This involves assigning the relevant competence to a specific public sector body, which must regulate, control, and monitor the process continuously through an operational registry management unit. Ensuring continuity is particularly important.
SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth
- Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production
- Target 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
- UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 Global Action Plan
- CFS Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT)
- FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication
- UN Declaration of the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas