
The present social and economic policies, both at national and international levels, endanger local food security and livelihoods of many of the approximately 1.4 billion low income and resource poor male and female farmers.
A management strategy based on sustainable agriculture principles ensures the optimal use of natural resources and the minimization of risk. Farming and livelihood aspects are combined in a way to allow, at the same time, social integration and additional income generation opportunities for families and communities. Today, in spite of climate change and unfavourable policy frameworks, sustainable agriculture is an appropriate approach for the development of viable production systems which provide for the livelihood of men and women and for local food security.