Agricultural value chains are complex systems that connect farmers, processors, traders, and consumers. While these stakeholders may have different interests and objectives, lobbying and advocacy bring together various stakeholders to bridge their differences and encourage them to work towards a common goal and the common good.
We work in different supply chains to achieve a more resilient food system that meets the needs of present generations without compromising those of future generations.
Sofia Nuñez, Country Manager of Solidaridad in Honduras
- Lobbying influences policymakers to make decisions that benefit a group or industry. In the case of agriculture, lobbying can have an influence on policies that promote sustainable farming practices or improve access to markets for smallholder farmers.
- Advocacy involves raising awareness about issues that affect the agricultural sector, while mobilizing support from different stakeholders to address these issues. For example, the importance of infrastructure investment to improve productivity in agriculture.
By bringing together different stakeholders with diverse interests and objectives, these tools create a more inclusive and collaborative environment to accomplish policy objectives. As such, it is essential for policymakers, farmers’ organizations, civil society groups, and private sector actors, among others, to embrace lobbying and advocacy as key strategies in the effort to promote sustainable growth in agriculture.
Sustainability requires effective policies to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector
Agriculture is the backbone of many economies around the world. In Honduras, the sustainability of agricultural value chains is crucial to ensure food security, reduce poverty, and promote economic growth. Effective policies play a critical role in shaping agricultural value chains. They provide a framework for sustainable production, processing, and marketing practices; they also promote sustainable land use, water management, and biodiversity conservation while protecting farmers’ rights and improving their livelihoods.
Moreover, these beneficial policies facilitate access to finance and markets for smallholder farmers, who often face significant barriers to entry due to limited resources and market power imbalances. By creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in agriculture, new policies in Honduras can stimulate innovation to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Lobbying and advocacy for the Coffee Sector Gender Policy in Honduras
In 2022, Honduras made history by creating the world’s first national gender policy for the coffee sector. This policy promotes gender equality and empowers women in the coffee industry. It is a significant step towards breaking down the barriers that have long prevented women from fully participating in this sector.
The coffee industry is one of the largest employers in Honduras, with over 120,000 families relying on it for their livelihoods. Coffee smallholders face numerous challenges that hinder their productivity and profitability. Women, particularly, have been excluded from many aspects of this industry, including decision-making processes and access to resources. The Coffee Sub Sector Gender Policy in Honduras aims to address the challenges women face, like limited access to credit facilities and market information, and by providing a framework which promotes equal access to resources such as land, inputs, and credit facilities.
This new gender policy advocates for equal opportunities for men and women in all areas of the coffee value chain. It will also provide training and support for women to help them develop their skills and knowledge, while allowing increased access to financing and other resources.
Gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also an economic imperative. Empowered women in the coffee industry will lead to increased productivity, higher-quality products, greater profitability, and positive outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
You can find the Coffee Sub-Sector Gender Policy in Honduras here: Full & Brief
The importance of coffee in Honduras
Coffee is an essential part of Honduran culture, economy, and history. Honduras is one of the largest coffee producers in Central America and has exported coffee for over a century. In addition to its cultural significance, coffee has brought economic stability to many rural communities in Honduras. The income generated from coffee production has improved living standards while also providing better access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Solidaridad and its dedicated staff will continue its work for a sustainable and inclusive coffee industry in Honduras.
Originally published in Spanish on Linkedin by Sofia Nuñez, Country Manager of Solidaridad in Honduras