As a satellite event of the World Food Forum (WFF), the final competition of 2022 Youth Hackathon for Reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) was held in Beijing and simulcast globally on 19 October. After more than 3 hours of exciting competition, 9 teams won the first, second and third prizes in 3 tracks.

Up to 14% of food produced globally undergoes food loss between the post-harvest and retail stages of the supply chain, and 17% of total global food production may be wasted at the retail, food-service and consumer stages. In order to raise awareness among young people on reducing FLW, and encourage youth to contribute wisdom and solutions to reduce global FLW in innovative and inclusive ways, the WFF, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) China Office, the Department of International Cooperation of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Center for International Agricultural Research of CAAS, and the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) jointly held the 2022 Youth Hackathon for Reducing FLW. Since its launch in May, the Hackathon has attracted creative proposals from 21 countries. After three rounds of selection, 15 teams from 8 countries made it to the final.

The jury committee was composed of seven experts from well-known international agricultural institutions, which are Carlos Watson, Representative of FAO China Office; Rosa S. Rolle, FLW Team Leader of Food and Nutrition Division of FAO; Aggrey Agumya, Director for Research and Innovation of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); Yingjun Cao, Director General of Foreign Affairs Department of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration of China; Yu Qian, Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation of CAAS; Fengying Nie, Deputy Director General of Agricultural Information Institute of CAAS and Executive Deputy Director General of Center for Agricultural Research of CAAS.

In his opening speech, Carlos Watson noted that FAO highly appreciate innovative ideas from young generations to transform our agri-food system. “FAO is committed to working together with all partners, especially the youth for innovation, to address the problem of FLW, in support of achieving the 2030 Agenda, and FAO’s vision of Four Betters—Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all, leaving no one behind.”

The final competition included three tracks—New Pattern, New Technology and New Service. After a comprehensive evaluation by professional juries, 9 teams stood out:

Track 1. New Service
First Place: Clear Plate
Second Place: The Solution of Minimizing Post-Harvest Cereal Losses
Third Place: NOSATOR-FLOW 

Track 2. New Technology
First Place: Completing Mushroom——Mushroom Full Life Cycle Loss Reduction by AI
Second Place: Saving Food from Soil 
Third Place: Thirfood

Track 3. New Pattern
First Place: Agrotech + Fresh
Second Place: “Wohua Model" of Agricultural Socialization Service Helps to Save Grain and Reduce Loss 
Third Place: Garbage in Treasure out

Fengying Nie highlighted in her closing speech that the Hackathon calls on youth from all countries to collaborate and contribute to the sustainable development of global agriculture, to ensure food security and nutrition, and to reduce global hunger. “This Hackathon is the first event of FAO-CAAS innovation platform and the first Hackathon jointly hosted by FAO and CAAS. Many thanks to different partners for their support in launching the hackathon. We will continue to cooperate and make more innovative contributions to reducing food loss and waste,” said Nie.