International Alliance for Sustainable Family Farming

The International Alliance for Sustainable Family Farming is the coordinating body made up of small family farming organisations, unions and civil society organisations, working towards the expansion of organic and agroecological agriculture with sustainable and fair farm-to-market programs that respect rights of farmers, workers and unions.

Our vision

Sustainable smallholder family communities that develop their holistic human potential and uphold social justice, labor rights, food sovereignty, gender equality, the environment, and the empowerment of women and youth.Our vision

Sustainable smallholder family communities that develop their holistic human potential and uphold social justice, labor rights, food sovereignty, gender equality, the environment, and the empowerment of women and youth.

Our mission

Coordinate international collaboration between small family farmers and union organisations, assisted by civil society organisations and other allies. Develop sustainable production and marketing programs, and strengthen the relationship with fair markets at the local, regional and international levels.

Our core values

Solidarity between organisations and people.
Non-discrimination, inclusiveness, equity and human rights.
Protection of and respect for the earth, the environment and biodiversity.
Empowerment of people for gender equality and youth leadership.
Value indigenous and local knowledge and experiences.

Our project

Organic banana composting in Peru & Ecuador

Project summary

This project aims to improve the livelihoods of 178 organic banana farming families (426 total farmers) in Peru and Ecuador through building a compost producing facility in each country that will enable the members of the participating farming cooperatives to transform banana waste to organic compost, while building the skills of farmers to promote fair and healthy working conditions.

What is the problem?

The peasant families that belong to Agro Peru Chira (Peru) and the Cendero Foundation (Ecuador), members of the International Alliance for Sustainable Family Agriculture (AIAFS), have been practicing organic agriculture for over 20 years. Up to now, they have occasionally produced compost at the individual level, but a lack of state support and economic resources has meant not all farmers could be integrated, it was not possible to improve the technical level of composting or make it permanent.

How will this project solve the problem?

This project will trial two different solutions. At Fundacion Cendero in Ecuador they will trial collective rotation of responsibility between member families for managing their facility, while at AgroPeru they will trial hiring staff to manage their facility. Both will provide training to farmers in composting processes, while also working to improve gender equality and access to higher education for their members.

Potential long-term impact

The development of the compost producing facilities will make a significant impact in alleviating poverty and improving the health of farming communities and their surrounding environment. The knowledge and skills gained from this project will be shared with over 10,000 family farmer members of the International Alliance for Small Family Farming in the Caribbean and the Philippines, who will look to replicate one or other of the two approaches trialed in this project.