Round Table of the Americas on Inputs for Sustainable Agrifood Systems
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
16/03/2022
Round Table of the Americas on Inputs for Sustainable Agrifood Systems
Speaking Points
For
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
16 March 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. In the wake of the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, agrifood systems worldwide are under pressure more than ever,
2. With threats to economies, jobs, food security and nutrition, as well as to natural resources and the environment.
3. The Latin American and Caribbean region has been hit especially hard.
4. Hunger and food insecurity levels increased due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. During 2020, 267 million people were food insecure in Latin America and the Caribbean - 60 million more than before the pandemic.
6. Despite being the region that has made the most progress in reducing income inequality, it still has the highest levels of inequality globally.
7. Agrifood systems are responsible for between 9% and 35% of national GDP in the region, and contribute to 25% of exports.
8. The sector is therefore vitally important to all countries in the region,
9. And they will have to ensure that future investments and policy decisions impacting the sector become an opportunity to drive agrifood systems transformation, and support the SDGs.
10. Decisions related to the use of agricultural inputs is just one example, as they will be critically important for ensuring sustainable agrifood systems.
11. But the current high and volatile fertilizer prices, together with trade restrictions, logistical problems, and geopolitical tensions, make these decisions difficult for producers in planning their crops.
12. While at the same time offer the opportunity for using fertilizers more effectively and efficiently by increasing the use of detail soil maps, and providing fertilizer blending that will maximize the return in yields.
13. Higher and more volatile food prices also create difficulties for governments trying to encourage a shift towards increased sustainability.
14. To cope with these challenges national agrifood systems need to increase their resilience in the face of complex crises,
15. And thereby also strengthen the region’s contribution to global food security,
16. In September last year, the UN Food Systems Summit, convened by the UN Secretary-General, brought together 23 Member States from Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss how to bring about a transformation that will benefit the most vulnerable communities.
17. FAO contributed substantially to the Summit and the Pre-Summit, and is now hosting the Coordination Hub for follow-up action and to support implementation of national pathways.
18. Furthermore, the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 supports the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
19. To achieve this transformation we need a holistic approach to minimize trade-offs using big data, science and innovation and enabling policies.
20. We know that a series of low-cost and high-impact interventions can end hunger,
21. While limiting greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement, and using our natural resources more efficiently and effectively.
22. We need to produce more with less!
23. We must boost public and private investments and financing services.
24. We must increase access to convenient infrastructure and financial resources for farmers, especially rural farmers.
25. And we must implement policy reforms that provide incentives for the private sector to support agrifood systems transformation and rural development.
26. At FAO, we are constantly working to find ways in which innovation, data and technology can accelerate this transformation.
27. For example, the effective use of digital technologies and platforms increases economic benefits and contribute to rural development, and food and nutrition security.
28. Digital technologies can increase productivity, enhance market opportunities through e-commerce and access to market information, and facilitate the inclusion of farmers in value chains.
29. In the same way, the reduction of food loss and waste increases access to healthy diets and facilitates the efficient use of natural resources, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
30. Collaboration among countries promotes intra-regional trade and “South-South learning.
31. The 37th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean will take place in Ecuador at the end of March,
32. And will provide a platform for countries from the region to come together to define their regional priorities, and to localize implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.
33. At FAO we are committed to continue working together and contributing together for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all – leaving no one behind.
34. Thank you.