Dear Sameer,
I appreciate the opportunity given to us to provide our inputs in the online consultation. We found both the Theory of change and Result framework to be well drafted. Kindly see attached a few contributions made on the theory of change and result framework. Kindly find my contribution below.
Theory of Change:
1. Do the barriers identified reflect your experience as Community Based Organizations (CBOs) / Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), private sector and local communities (women, men, youth, indigenous peoples)? Are there key barriers that are missing in TOC?
I’m making the following contributions on the barriers affecting food systems based on my experience as a Community Based Organization (CBO)/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) working with indigenous peoples, women and youth smallholder farmers from the socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
In recent years, agricultural policies on trade, financing and value chains support have largely been focusing mainly at increasing yields and expanding production, particularly of staple crops. But the COVID-19 pandemic and associated conflicts, social unrest and wars have exacerbated the situation through supply-chain disruptions and high cost of energy causing spiraling food-price inflation.
Most low-income countries are unable to meet their domestic requirements for food, as population growth rate has outpaced the rate of food production. This has also fueled rapid consumer demand for food and the intensification of agricultural production to meet the demand of both local and export markets. Government policies promotes conventional agriculture which utilizes monocropping cultivation with the use of artificial fertilizers to increase food production and meet up with the consumption demand. Climate change invasions such as extreme weather events like flood, drought and high rise in temperature introduces new pests, biodiversity loss of crop varieties and species were also major drivers of negative health, environment and economic consequences.
2. Do the first level Outcomes appropriate and adequate for transformation of food systems’ impacts on the environment?
For a sustainable food systems transformation that will benefit people, protect and restore nature, urgent action should be taken to reduce pressure for agricultural expansion, trade and economic development; that fosters increase in natural habitat conversion, deforestation, heavy use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
Draft Results Framework:
3. Are the Outcomes planned appropriate and adequate for food systems transformation?
Yes, we need to bring together all actors and participants from the national, regional & global levels and balance voices and build partnerships across board with mutual respect, collaboration and trust.
4. What could be examples of types of intervention and outputs that could ensure stronger engagement and ensure capacities of CBOs/ NGOs, the private sector, and communities (including women, men, and youth, indigenous peoples) to continue food systems transformation?
Scaling up nature positive food production and innovations that protect natural ecosystems against new conversions for food and feed production. Managing existing food production approaches sustainably, to the benefit of both nature, people and planet. Restoration, remediation and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and soil function for sustainable food systems transformation.
5. What might be specific contributions of each stakeholder group to the achievement of the components?
In addition, the Program development team seeks inputs on your experiences and advice on:
Examples of scaling up approaches, including policies, for more sustainable/ regenerative food systems practices.
Successful examples of multi-stakeholder processes at national level that brings local communities (including indigenous peoples, youth, women and men), the private sector, the civil society and academia and the government to develop policies related to food systems.
Village Farmers Initiative (VFI) Nigeria’s strategic focus is on the elevation and promotion of indigenous food heritages. This is an all-inclusive approach that supports sustainable/regenerative food systems and embeds a clear goal on nature-positive food production.
Village Farmers Initiative’s Community engagement and outreach programs such as Community Biodiversity Management CBM showcases the role of smallholder farmers, women, youth and indigenous knowledge in saving lost landraces within community diversity management.
The program promotes sustainable use of natural resources, climate change mitigation & adaptation and regenerative agriculture and involves a lot of public-private partnerships across the value chains.
Research gaps or innovations on food systems transformation for global environmental and climate benefits.
We are currently engaged in partnership with various ongoing research work and innovations on food systems transformation for global environmental and climate benefits that will be published in due course.
Best regards,
Asikaralu Okafor
Executive Director,
Village Farmers Initiative (VFI), Nigeria
Ms. Asikaralu Okafor