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Decades of development efforts undermined by pandemic – FAO report

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**A farmer harvests potatoes in Manchaybamba**, **Peru** (Photo via IFAD)

(United Nations News) COVID-19 has set back progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), undermining decades of development efforts, according to a new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“It’s an alarming picture, in which progress on many SDG targets has been reversed, with a significant impact on all aspects of sustainable development and making the achievement of the 2030 Agenda even more challenging,” said FAO Chief Statistician, Pietro Gennari.

The analysis, Tracking progress on food and agriculture SDG-related indicators, focuses on eight of the SDGs, which were adopted at a UN Summit in New York in 2015.

According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic might have pushed an additional 83 to 132 million people into chronic hunger in 2020, making the target of ending hunger even more distant.

Around 14 percent of all food is lost along the supply chain, before it even reaches the consumer, which FAO considers “an unacceptably high proportion”. Progress has also faltered towards maintaining plant and animal genetic diversity for food and agriculture.

Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2021 launched

agriculture, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals, Uncategorized Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2021, food security, food systems

The Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2021 was launched on 15 September 2021 during a ceremony that was held virtually.

The event featured a keynote address by Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, and remarks by representatives of the organisations that are partnering to host the week of agricultural activities.

Listen to the ceremony:

PAHO, IICA To Support Food Safety, Food Security, And One Health Projects In The Americas

agriculture, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals agri-food systems, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance, food health, food safety programmes, IICA, PAHO, zoonotic diseases

*The agreement was signed by Carissa Etienne (l), PAHO Director, and Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA.*

(Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Press Release) The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will work together to support the countries of the Americas in improving the health and prosperity of rural areas, thereby benefiting the region’s economies.

Priority work areas include One Health and management mechanisms related to food safety programs, antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases.

The agreement was signed by Carissa Etienne, PAHO Director, and Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA.

“We signed this agreement to work together against hunger and disease, to safeguard the health and well-being of the people of the Americas. The current times demand our best efforts to ensure the countries stay committed to their development agendas and address the problems threatening health and agriculture”, stated Etienne.

“The One Health policy guides the countries in the actions they must take based on the experience of the actors involved. We’re convinced that we can navigate these challenges only if the health and agriculture sectors work together”, she added.

Manuel Otero expressed that joining forces is essential to tackle the current challenges. He explained that the topic will be discussed on 1-2 September in the framework of the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2021 organized by IICA, at which they will analyse the environmental, social and economic challenges facing the in anticipation of the UN Summit.

“We are going to decide on concrete actions for the many issues we have in common. Both of our institutions work for the well-being of the people: the PAHO from a health standpoint and us from agricultural and rural development, under the philosophy of health focused on animal, environmental and human health”, stated Otero.

In 1983, PAHO and IICA signed a permanent general cooperation agreement that has been updated several times in last 19 years based on the challenges and concerns shared by the agencies.

The common objectives are to contribute to increasing and improving production, health and rural life in the member states of both entities within the Inter-American System.

Following the most recent renewal of the alliance, actions will be aimed at promoting implementation of a culture of effective policies, regulations and programs on food health in the countries of the Americas, including Codex Alimentarius, and exchanging information and experiences on food-related risk analysis.

More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int

These “Island Growers” are Reducing Imports, Improving Regional Access to Affordable Fresh Food

Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals 100% climate resilient greenhouse systems., agriculture, COVID-19, food quality, Food sustainability, natural disasters, OECS Sustainable Development Movement Summit 2021, organic farming

(Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Press Room) Food sustainability in the Caribbean has been a hot topic for years. While many islands in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have varying degrees of agricultural production, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters continue to threaten their sustainability and reliable production of affordable fresh produce. Over the past few months, as COVID-19 has shifted the global landscape, the cost of agricultural produce in the Caribbean has become increasingly unstable.

The OECS Sustainable Development Movement Summit 2021 is a platform for, among other things, conversations surrounding regional sustainable development across all sectors, including agriculture, and in recent times, the innovative work of Alquimi Renewables, LLC (“Alquimi”) and its farming operations group, Island Growers Caribbean© (“IGC”), have joined that conversation.

The teams at Alquimi and IGC are implementing a unique business model to radically improve and protect how fresh produce is grown in the Region. This model focuses on producing imported ‘cold weather’ crops in proprietary, climate smart hydroponic greenhouse farms. IGC intends to improve food quality, use organic farming practices, and ensure a consistent supply of produce to regional markets throughout the year by the use of these newly developed, 100% climate resilient greenhouse systems.

Fixing Food Systems

agriculture, Climate change, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals agroecology, COVID-19 recovery, food systems transformation.

Q&A: Why the World ‘Can’t Afford to Wait’ for Transparent, Equitable Food Systems

**The UNFSS hopes to transform how food is produced, packaged, and distributed to tackle food insecurity and wastage. (Photo Credit: Alison Kentish** via IPS)

(IPS) – The world has been put on notice that there is no time to waste in achieving the goal of food systems transformation.

Through Pre-Summit and national dialogues, scientists, policymakers, farmers, NGOs, private sector representatives and youth groups have been building momentum ahead of the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September. The goal is to ensure that the world produces food with greater attention to climate change, poverty, equity, sustainability and waste reduction.

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food is one of the partners addressing the urgency of food systems transformation for food security, equity, the global economy and COVID-19 recovery. Since 2012, the alliance of philanthropic foundations has engaged in global discussions, supported and led global food transformation research and advanced initiatives in climate, health and agroecology.

The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN) collaborates with the Alliance to share ideas and knowledge to design projects capable of guaranteeing a more sustainable food system for future generations.

IPS spoke to the Alliance’s Senior Director of Programmes, Lauren Baker, about the urgent need to overhaul food systems, the impact of COVID-19 on those systems and why true cost accounting is essential to the international effort to revamp the production, sale and distribution of food.

FAO spearheads gender mainstreaming to boost region’s response to climate change in agri-food systems

agriculture, Climate change, Food Systems, Sustainable Development Goals, Uncategorized agriculture, climate change

**Mathelida Weeks (l) and Laura Jane received pineapple seedlings at a workshop for the Ti Colon/Barre St Joseph Women’s group center in rural Castries, Saint Lucia. (Photo via FAO)**

(Food and Agriculture Organization Press Release) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Global Affairs Canada, recently hosted a webinar aimed at sensitising practitioners in the Caribbean on gender mainstreaming methodologies and good practices that can be used to strengthen the region’s response to the effects of climate change on agri-food systems.

The seminar attracted nearly 500 participants comprising government representatives and practitioners from CARICOM member states who are involved in programme and project development and implementation, as well as individuals from the private sector and civil society.

Across the globe we have witnessed the impacts caused by climate change through irregular rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, greater number and intensity of hurricanes and the rise in sea level. The Caribbean, due to its geographical location and the unique issues facing its many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), has experienced significant loss and damage from climate-related disasters.

Existing gender gaps, such as unequal access to resources, training and information, contribute to men and women experiencing climate change effects differently. In addition, gender-blind approaches of policies and programmes to address climate change can further exacerbate negative impacts and added burdens, particularly for the most vulnerable women and men. It is therefore critical that personnel involved in designing and implementing programmes and projects understand and identify existing gender gaps, as well as the associated risks and differentiated impacts of climate change on women and men to set in motion more equitable solutions.

It is with this background that Global Affairs Canada, CARICOM and FAO recently planned and hosted a gender mainstreaming webinar in the context of the project Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean, which aims to promote climate change adaptation in agri-food systems (crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture) and to build the resilience of rural populations and their livelihoods in the sub-region.

This webinar aimed to spur action by sharing projects with strategies that seek equality between men and women through climate-resilient interventions in agri-food systems in the Caribbean. The lessons learnt, tools and best practices in gender mainstreaming approaches from these examples may be adapted and replicated by other countries in the region to expand their individual gender mainstreaming efforts in climate change interventions.

Renata Clarke, Sub-Regional Coordinator at FAO, explained that in the Caribbean rural economy, where agriculture is a key contributor to livelihoods, important gender gaps are still prevalent. For example, in Grenada only 22 percent of registered farmers are women, while the share in Jamaica is 30 percent. The gender gap widens in agricultural jobs with the female share ranging from only 6 percent in Belize, to 24.5 percent in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Women also face several gender-based inequalities to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agricultural production, such as insufficient access to land, financial capital, technology and market information. FAO is committed to working in the Caribbean region to innovate in agriculture and transform practices to meet climate change challenges in a gender equitable manner”, Clarke stated.

Meanwhile, Shaun Baugh, Programme Manager for CARICOM, stressed that climate change and gender mainstreaming are two cross-cutting issues that are prominent in every single initiative undertaken by CARICOM.

“It is important that the policies put forward assist in bridging or reducing the gaps that exist between women and men so that the livelihoods of our women are protected and enhanced and not affected by climate change”, said Baugh.

Christian DaSilva, Senior Acting Director at the Canada Caribbean Regional Development Program, stated that gender equality and empowerment of women and girls is the best way to eradicate poverty. “Canada is committed to helping build a more prosperous and climate resilient Caribbean community”, DaSilva indicated.

The Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean project supports nine countries in the region (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Suriname) in strengthening their institutional capacity around climate resilience and disaster risk management through training and technical assistance and enhanced access to climate finance. Climate-smart digital technologies and gender mainstreaming in the project cycle are a particular project focus. This has resulted in 141 representatives learning how to integrate gender dimensions in the adoption and use of digital technologies, as well as being able to identify climate-smart agriculture digital technologies and tools that can be adopted at country and institutional levels, such as the FAO Gender Toolkit.

For more information:

Jacinto Buenfil

Policy Officer Environment and Climate Change

FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean

E-mail: Jacinto.Buenfil@fao.org

Marquita Sugrim

FAO National Communications Consultant

FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean E-mail: marquitajuanne.sugrim@fao.org

‘Food availability, access, utilisation and stability must be addressed’ – Minister Mustapha tells Food Systems Forum

Climate change, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals, Uncategorized agriculture, Caribbean food systems, Caribbean Week of Agriculture, climate change, food and nutrition security, food security, food systems, Pre-Summit for the United Nations Food Systems Summit, tourism, United Nations Food Systems Summit, Zulfikar Mustapha

**Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during the UN Pre-Summit (Photo via DPI)**

The current food system makes ‘ultra-processed’ foods readily accessible, appealing and affordable, displacing more nutritious foods. Expanding the non-traditional agricultural sub-sector is therefore, critical for diet diversification and enabling equality in availability and access, especially for rural populations.” – Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, Zulfikar Mustapha

(Department of Public Information Press Release) Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, MP, says in order for countries to ensure safe and nutritious foods remain accessible, food availability, access, utilisation, and stability must be addressed holistically.

The Minister made this statement on Wednesday when he joined Ministers of Agriculture and other officials from around the world in a Pre-Summit for the United Nations Food Systems Summit.

Over 50 countries participated in the Pre-Summit, which was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, Minister Mustapha said: “The current food system makes ‘ultra-processed’ foods readily accessible, appealing and affordable, displacing more nutritious foods. Expanding the non-traditional agricultural sub-sector is therefore, critical for diet diversification and enabling equality in availability and access, especially for rural populations.

Further, of growing concern is the need to reduce on-farm and post-harvest food loss and waste through adopting appropriate harvesting, post-harvest, and storage technologies.”

Following the onset of the pandemic, greater emphasis has been placed on building Guyana’s resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stresses. Minister Mustapha told the meeting that systems are being put in place to confront those threats, safeguarding the livelihood of farmers and fishers in the country.

“COVID 19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of our food production and distribution systems and exacerbated other challenges such as climate change.

Guyana must confront these threats to the livelihood of farmers and fishers by making its food systems more climate-resilient,” Minister Mustapha said.

CARICOM’s Position

Guyana holds lead responsibility for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification, and Food Security in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Caribbean Region is amongst the most vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change impacts and has been identified as the second most hazard-prone Region in the world.

Just recently, economies and food systems were impacted by the eruption of a volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, affecting Barbados and other neighbouring islands. Hurricanes left wind and flood damage in Barbados and other islands in the Eastern Caribbean, and Guyana and Suriname experienced unprecedented flooding that resulted in tremendous loss of crops and livestock.

“Actions to reposition Caribbean agriculture include strengthening linkages between the agri-food, tourism, and health sectors; establishing public-private partnerships in local food production and processing; implementing climate-smart technologies and transitioning towards digital agriculture.

Financing for mitigation and adaptation to climate change has become more critical today than ever before and is necessary to protect and transform Caribbean food systems. International support from international financial institutions, and bilateral partners will be critical to ensuring a more resilient agricultural sector through financing, technology, and creating an enabling global environment,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit has served as the preparatory meeting for the culminating global event which is scheduled for September 2021. It aims to bring together diverse actors from around the world to leverage the power of food systems to deliver progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the shared vision for people, planet, and prosperity.

It will consolidate all of the substantive work of the Summit into a common vision and set a tone of bold ambition and commitment to action. The Pre-Summit will deliver the latest evidence based and scientific approaches from around the world; strengthen coalitions of action; and mobilise new financing and partnerships. Through the Pre-Summit, the UN Food Systems Summit will reaffirm its commitment to promote human rights for all and ensure everyone, everywhere has the opportunity to participate. The event is open to all, with a small in-person component in the context of COVID-19, complemented by a vast virtual programme and platform.

Prioritising farmers, buying local, investment, key to transforming Caribbean Food Systems

Climate change, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals Caribbean Week of Agriculture, CWA 2021, food security, food systems

Prioritising farmers, producing quality food and buying local, continuous and earlier exposure to agricultural science, and serious investment, are among the prerequisites for food security for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Those areas, as well as the reduction of the Region’s high food import bill, were highlighted during a virtual CARICOM Regional Food Systems Dialogue held on 28 May 2021. Farmers and farming organisations, policymakers, representatives of youth, women, the business community, civil society and the health sector, were among the participants at the four-hour event that was held to streamline regional positions ahead of the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit scheduled for September.

The CARICOM Secretariat organised the forum in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinators, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Ideas, solutions, and action plans emanating from the Dialogue will feed into the, as well as a pre-Summit event scheduled for July in Rome. Thematic areas under discussion were food security, climate resilience and finance and funding.

Transforming the Region’s food systems will be the focus of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture which will be held 4-8 October 2021. The focus reflects the acknowledgement of the peculiar challenges and opportunities which are now confronting the Region’s agricultural sector and which require a decisive solution-oriented response in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q&A: UN Food Systems Summit Opportunity for World to Unite on Healthy, Fair, Sustainable Food Systems

Climate change, COVID-19, Food Security, Food Systems, News, Sustainable Development Goals COVID-19 pandemic, diet, food systems, food systems summit, healthy foods

**Food systems, from farm to fork to disposal, account for 21-37% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. Fresh produce at a supermarket. (Photo via Alison Kentish/IPS**

(InterPress Service) Before the COVID-19 pandemic upended every sphere of life, the world was lagging on a goal to end hunger by 2030. According to the United Nations, more than 820 million people had already been categorised as food insecure, meaning they lacked access to reliable and sufficient amounts of affordable, healthy food.

The impact of measures to contain the virus, land degradation, climate change and the global extreme poverty rate rising for the first time in over 20 years, make the need for a transition to sustainable food systems more important than ever.

The United Nations Food Systems Summit hopes to bring together the science, finance and political commitment to transform global food systems. The goal is to introduce systems that are productive, environmentally sustainable, include the poor and promote healthy diets.

The Barilla Centre For Food and Nutrition (BCFN) Foundation, a longstanding investor in research, education and high-level events on sustainable food systems has been actively involved in activities in the lead-up to the summit.

IPS interviewed the think tank’s Head of Research Dr Marta Antonelli and dietician Katarzyna Dembska about climate change and diets, successful food systems and the Foundation’s own initiatives to improve education, science and skills for healthy, fair and sustainable food systems.