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cure people live in rural areas in developing countries. They struggle to produce enough food or income to meet their basic needs.In order for these vulnerable farmers to reach their full potential, they need techni- cal assistance and policies that build on their knowledge and sustainably bolster productivity; appropriate technologies; quality inputs that respond to their needs and respect their cultures and traditions; support for women and youth farmers; stronger producer organizations and cooperatives; improved access to land, wa- ter, credit and markets; and greater participation in value chains.For decades, family farmers were seen as part of the problem of hunger and poverty. However, with the right support, family farmers can become part of the solution to some of the major challenges of our times – the food demands of a growing world population, wasted food supplies, degraded natural resources, biodiversity loss and climate change, and a shortage of employment.The preservation and sustainable use of natural resources is rooted in the pro- ductive logic of family farms. It sets them apart from large-scale specialized farm-31© Paola VIESI