Panama Bolsters Family Farms, Nutrition, and Climate Resilience

PanamaS Food System Conversion: Progress Towards Sustainability and Security Highlighted by FAO

As the world gears up for the Second UN Summit on Food Systems in July, the Food and Agriculture Institution (FAO) is shining a spotlight on the significant strides Latin American and Caribbean nations are making to fulfill their 2021 commitments. Among these, Panama stands out, having received FAO’s dedicated support in crafting its national roadmap to bolster food and nutritional security, champion family agriculture, and enhance the resilience of vulnerable regions to climate change.

Panama’s journey has seen notable advancements in family agriculture, marked by the reinforcement of its legal frameworks and related institutions. The nation is embracing digital transformation to improve market access and champion environmentally friendly, sustainable practices. A key highlight is the implementation of digital ecosystems in indigenous and hard-to-reach agricultural communities. these initiatives aim to boost food production, foster social and productive inclusion, and empower better decision-making through digitalization and modern agricultural practices.

In recent years, Panama has also developed a digital registration system for producers, complemented by a digital supply platform.These tools are proving invaluable to family and indigenous agriculture across various regions, effectively strengthening economic recovery, resilience, and the overall sustainability of the agri-food sector.

On the nutrition front, Panama has updated its food guides, adopting the food system-based food guide model (GABSA). Nutrition professionals are also being empowered with the ‘Diet Solve’ tool, an initiative promoted by the FAO, to enhance their capacity to address dietary needs effectively.

Environmentally, Panama is making considerable progress in the sustainable management of its land and the restoration of productive landscapes within its hydrographic basins. These efforts directly contribute to the country’s national goals for achieving neutrality in land degradation (NDT).

Through these actions, Panama is actively promoting climate-smart agriculture, establishing demonstrative farms, producing organic fertilizer, and restoring hundreds of hectares of land. These measures are crucial for carbon capture and safeguarding vital water sources.

Furthermore, the nation is making strides in waste management and fostering circular economy practices within Panama City’s municipal markets, recognizing their pivotal role as community hubs.

These complete efforts underscore Panama’s commitment to transforming its food systems, moving towards a more sustainable, secure, and resilient future for all its citizens.

How do initiatives like Plan Panama Solidario and WFP collaboration directly contribute to strengthening the food security of Panamanian families?

Strengthening the Foundation: Panama’s Family Farming Sector

Panama is strategically investing in its family farming sector, recognizing it as crucial for national food security, improved nutrition, and building resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change.These smallholder farms – the backbone of Panama’s agricultural landscape – are receiving targeted support to enhance productivity, diversify crops, and adopt sustainable farming practices. This initiative directly addresses key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger, responsible agriculture, and climate action.

Key Initiatives & Programs

Several government-lead and internationally supported programs are driving this transformation.these include:

Plan Panama Solidario: This national social program incorporates agricultural support, providing farmers with access to seeds, fertilizers, and technical assistance.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Collaboration: WFP works with Panama to strengthen local food systems, focusing on smallholder farmers and school feeding programs. This includes initiatives to improve post-harvest handling and storage, reducing food loss.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Projects: Panama is actively promoting CSA techniques, such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, and water-efficient irrigation, to mitigate climate risks and enhance farm productivity.

Access to Finance: Microfinance institutions are partnering with the government to provide affordable credit to family farmers, enabling them to invest in improved technologies and infrastructure.

Enhancing Nutritional Outcomes Through Diversified Farming

A core component of Panama’s strategy is promoting crop diversification. Traditionally, many Panamanian farms have focused on monoculture (single crop farming), making them vulnerable to market fluctuations and pests. The shift towards diversified farming systems offers multiple benefits:

Improved Dietary Diversity: Growing a wider range of crops ensures families have access to a more nutritious diet,combating malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

Increased Income Stability: diversification reduces reliance on a single commodity, buffering farmers against price shocks and market volatility.

Enhanced Soil Health: Different crops have varying nutrient requirements, leading to improved soil fertility and reduced need for synthetic fertilizers.

Promoting Customary Crops: Reviving the cultivation of indigenous and traditional crops, like ñame (yam) and otoe, contributes to cultural preservation and provides unique nutritional benefits.

Focus on Biofortification

Panama is also exploring biofortification – breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This is particularly important for addressing deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Research is underway to develop biofortified varieties of staple crops like rice and beans.

Building Climate resilience in Panamanian Agriculture

panama is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including increased temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. Strengthening the climate resilience of family farms is therefore paramount.

Strategies for Adaptation

Drought-Resistant Crops: Introducing and promoting drought-resistant varieties of key crops, such as sorghum and cassava, helps farmers cope with prolonged dry spells.

Water Management: Implementing efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting techniques, and soil conservation practices improves water availability and reduces water stress.

Agroforestry Systems: Integrating trees into farming systems provides shade, reduces soil erosion, and enhances carbon sequestration.

Early Warning Systems: Strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events allows farmers to prepare and minimize losses.

Crop Insurance: Expanding access to crop insurance provides financial protection against climate-related disasters.

The Role of Indigenous Knowledge

Recognizing the value of traditional ecological knowledge, Panama is incorporating indigenous farming practices into its climate resilience strategies. Indigenous communities often possess deep understanding of local ecosystems and sustainable farming techniques.

Benefits of Investing in Family Farms

The benefits of bolstering Panama’s family farming sector extend far beyond the farm gate:

Rural Economic Development: Supporting family farms stimulates economic activity in rural areas,creating jobs and reducing poverty.

Reduced Rural-Urban Migration: Improved livelihoods in rural areas discourage migration to urban centers, alleviating pressure on urban infrastructure.

Environmental Sustainability: Sustainable farming practices promoted through these initiatives contribute to environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.

national Food Security: Increased domestic food production reduces reliance on imports, enhancing national food security.

Improved Public health: Enhanced nutrition contributes to improved public health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Practical Tips for Farmers in Panama

Soil Testing: Regularly test your soil to determine nutrient deficiencies and optimize fertilizer application.

composting: Utilize composting to improve soil fertility and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Water Conservation: Implement water-efficient irrigation techniques and rainwater harvesting systems.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Adopt IPM strategies to minimize pesticide use and protect beneficial insects.

Diversification: Grow a variety of crops to reduce risk and improve dietary diversity.

Access Facts: Stay informed about new technologies, best practices, and government programs through agricultural extension services.

Real-World Example: The coffee Cooperative in Boquete

The coffee cooperative in boquete, Chiriquí province, exemplifies the success of supporting family farms. Through fair trade practices, access to training, and investment in sustainable farming techniques, the cooperative has considerably improved the livelihoods of its members while producing high-quality, environmentally pleasant coffee. This model demonstrates the potential for family farms to thrive when