Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

E-consultation on HLPE Study on Nutrition and Food Systems

Before commenting on the ten points included in the e-consultation on the forthcoming HLPE study, we wish to draw attention to one important aspect. This is to do with consistency in findings and recommendations between the forthcoming HLPE Report on Nutrition and Food System (to be presented to CFS 44 in October, 2017) and the completed HLPE Report on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Food Security and Nutrition, including the Role of Livestock (to be presented to CFS 43 in October, 2016). The HLPE Steering Committee must ensure that the two reports do not give conflicting signals with respect to future actions on nutrition, because both reports are intended to address the same problem, namely how to approach the triple burden of malnutrition?   

The subject under consideration is demanding because the relationship between crop diversity, dietary differences, nutrition and health is a complex subject and there is no unanimity of views on the subject.  However, there is convergence on two points (i) that poverty eradication has central role in reducing undernutrition and (ii) that sustainable development in all sectors and nutrition are intrinsically intertwined.

Responses to the ten points raised in the e-consultation should provide a good feedback to the team preparing the HLPE report on Nutrition and Food Systems. However, among the ten points listed we wish to emphasize the importance of the last six points which are intended to:

1. highlight that “hidden hunger” of enough calories but insufficient vitamins and minerals is now of global concern;

1. explain the diversity in food systems and their impact on nutrition;
2. clarify the nexus between food systems, consumption patterns and healthy diets;

1. show that there is a range of public policies and actions addressing location-specific malnutrition; and

1. demonstrate that success depends on the strength of partnership among all actors, from grassroots  organizations to parliamentarians and high level policy makers and administrators.

We wish to see that the HLPE Report give special attention to the following points.

1. Not to burden the report with too many facts because other reports do provide adequate coverage, especially the IFPRI Global Report on Nutrition 2015. The IFPRI report also highlights ten actions by all stakeholders to put an end to malnutrition by 2030. The HLPE report should take these actions into consideration when making its own proposals;

1. While the report must provide space for the main drivers of the transition in food consumption and nutrition (population, urbanization, income growth, consumer attitude, trade and the status of market development, the increasing role played by multinational corporations and the retailing of food commodities), it is important for the report to demonstrate that each driver has its own peculiar influence in shaping nutrition;

1. Stress, in particular, that resilience is the core of all food systems;

1. Highlight the negative impact on diet resulting from the erosion of biodiversity;

1. To a greater extent, track actions that can amend malnutrition in all its forms and for all groups of the population, especially the vulnerable groups (women, children, indigenous population);

1. Highlight the advantages of integrating nutrition into agricultural and food security planning and programming , including the tools required;

1. Where appropriate, provide brief examples of evidence-based success stories as well as cases of failure;

1. Put major stress on locally tailored capacity development that could address structural problems that are causing or exacerbating  malnutrition;

1. Underscore the contribution of neglected and underutilized crop species (NUS) to better nutrition, especially pulses which are 25% protein, more than double that of cereals;

1. Stress the danger of transition from traditional to “western style” diet with its high content of fats, salt, sugar and processed foods,  increasing the incidence of non-communicable diseases, like diabetes, heart diseases, certain types of cancer and obesity;  

1. Make room in the report for the land requirements of different food systems for a healthy diet. This should be part of the planning process;

1.  Bring forth science-based evidence to demonstrate that high levels of CO2 can significantly reduce the level of essential nutrients as well as cutting protein levels;

1.  Highlight that climate change can adversely affect nutrition in two major ways (i) through floods and droughts associated with the rise in global temperature and (ii) increased incidence of diseases resulting from climate change, like malaria which reduces body’s absorption and utilization of essential nutrients;

1.  Stress that private business, national and multinational, can play an important role in improving nutrition. In this connection, the six messages for business mentioned in IFPRI’s Global Nutrition Report 2015 could be considered.

We wish full success to the Team responsible for the completion of the HLPE study.

Abdul R. Ayazi,

Agriculture Attaché,

Afghanistan Embassy, Rome

Sir;

My concept

Loss of crops is very common with food & other in natural disaster. This age all we are facing this trouble; so why not use the disaster as option. I choose flood to turn it to option. Like flood supports surface recharge with support to vegetation & many. I think to coordinate it with management then it becomes valuable. There are two types of flood regular & flash flood. My test scenario will be Bangladesh then you may like to introduce with other tech solution. Also if any of your foundations & research groups wants to work my platform can help.

Regards,

Md.Moshfaqur Rahman

Expert on Government, Corporate, Emerging technology, Eco-DRR, EbA & Remote Sensing.

Arunima Apartment, Flat C-3, 36/7/b, shah ali bag ( dhankheter mor), Mirpur-1, 

C'est un plaisir, et même un impératif pour moi de transmettre les enseignements que j'ai reçus, et contribuer à mon niveau à la recherche de l'Adéquation Nutrition-Sécurité alimentaire/Gestion durable du Patrimoine environnemental.

La Bible dit à ce sujet "Celui donc qui sait faire ce qui est bien et qui ne le fait pas commet un péché"...

Mon étude vise à orienter les décideurs vers les réelles possibilités des pays de L'Afrique Centrale de devenir des bases de l'amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire tout en participant à la gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers.

AGRICULTURE ET GESTION DURABLE DES ECOSYSTEMES FORESTIERS

I. Afrique Centrale, un grenier alimentaire

1. Zones d’activités

L’Afrique Centrale qui abrite le bassin du Congo, deuxième massif forestier après l’Amazonie recèle une richesse biologique qui pourrait faire de cette sous-région, un véritable grenier alimentaire. La Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale (COMIFAC) appuyée par les partenaires internationaux (PFBC), s’efforcent de mettre en œuvre des politiques adéquates, à la fois pour la préservation des Forêts, pour l’amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire et de la nutrition. Ces forêts sont occupées à l’intérieur par les populations dites « autochtones » (pygmées) et à la périphérie par les populations autres dites « allochtones » (généralement des bantous).

A côté de la forêt dense et humide qui occupe une part importante de l’Afrique Centrale francophone, cette sous-région est constituée pour une part importante de zones pré-forestières ou de savanes boisées tant en République Centrafricaine que dans une partie du Cameroun, dans le Sud du Tchad et même dans une partie du Congo et du Zaïre. Dans ces zones, Il est possible de concilier agriculture et gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers en mettant en œuvre des politiques d’une économie verte duale.

Source : CNRS, Forêts et savanes d'Afrique centrale : une histoire holocène mouvementée, http://www.cnrs.fr/cw/dossiers/dosclim1/rechfran/4theme/paleo/foretsavanesafc.html (consulté le 12 Février 2016)

2. Types d’exploitation par zone

Aussi bien en zones de forêt que de savane, il est souhaitable d’intégrer la production d’énergies renouvelables à toute forme d’exploitation. (Cf. projet OLEMBE).

a) Zones de forêts

Les populations de ces zones collectent les produits forestiers non ligneux (PNFL) d’origine végétale (irvingia, hibiscus…) et d’origine animale (insectes comestibles). Ces PFNL apportent une alimentation et des revenus appréciables aux populations. Cependant, il serait souhaitable d’encourager des investissements pour des exploitations à grande échelle. En plus des activités de collecte des PFNL, ces populations s’adonnent à l’agriculture dans les forêts secondaires. Cette agriculture est essentiellement extensive et itinérante. D’où l’intérêt de mener l’agriculture en zone de savane.

b) Zones de savane

Ce sont par nature des zones de rencontre et de coexistence entre des activités différentes (agriculture et pastoralisme en particulier), entre des peuples (éleveurs peulhs, populations sédentaires de différentes ethnies selon que l’on se trouve au Tchad, au Congo, en Centrafrique ou au Cameroun) totalement étrangers les uns aux autres par leurs coutumes, leur culture, leur organisation, leurs attitudes devant la terre et les ressources naturelles. Ces zones sont propices à une agriculture mécanisée. Il serait donc souhaité d’encourager l’implantation d’exploitations à grande échelle. Ces exploitations intégreraient plusieurs types d’activités dont l’agriculture, l’élevage et la production de l’énergie et pourraient être vecteur de partenariat entre agriculteurs et éleveurs traditionnellement installés (fourniture de produits agricoles du fourrage aux éleveurs contre la viande et les déchets organiques d’origine animale pour la production de l’énergie).

II. Acteurs

1. Gros exploitants agricoles/ Investisseurs (exploitation à grande échelle)

2. Populations (travailleurs PFNL dans les zones forestières/ travailleurs en terres agricoles dans les zones de savanes humides)

III. Commercialisation des produits

Après transformation, les produits peuvent être commercialisés localement, au niveau national et à l’exportation.

1. Transformation et conditionnement

Pour être commercialisés, les produits doivent être transformés (farine, poissons et viandes séchés, etc.) et conditionnés (emballages). Les produits dument conditionnés peuvent être transportés par voie routière, maritime, ferroviaire et aérienne (Cf. projet OLEMBE).

2. Commerce équitable intra et intercontinental

Au niveau intra africain, la prévalence de la sous-alimentation s’observe dans plusieurs pays de la zone sahélienne. Pour qu’ils soient équitables, les échanges commerciaux des produits alimentaires entre l’Afrique centrale et ces pays, doivent s’accompagner du développement de produits adaptés à leur environnement. Entre autres, la multiplication et la valorisation du Margousier ou Neem, permettraient non seulement de renforcer la grande muraille verte mais aussi de donner des revenus aux populations à travers la vente de produits finis contre le paludisme et phytosanitaires. Il en est de même du développement et de la valorisation de la gomme arabique.

Au niveau intercontinental, la plupart des PFNL sont exportés à l’état brut et sont revendus en Afrique centrale sous forme de compléments alimentaires, cosmétiques et autres. Pour être équitables, ces échanges devraient s’accompagner d’un développement de valeur ajoutée à travers la transformation industrielle locale des PFNL.

NB : Illustration projet d’OLEMBE

Yaoundé le 15 Février 2016 EYA’AN NDOUTOUME Justin

ADESA Contact : Email : [email protected] Skype: ndoutoume88

How and why do diets change?

Basically the Change in diet is very much related to the purchasing capacity and the knowledge on Nutrition in the community. Improved economic condition has led to increased consumption of Nutrient rich diet like; milk, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and the fruits, especially in the developing countries.

Developing/changing lifestyle of the people i.e family members working more out of the home, out of the community has created demand and has developed the dependency on   fast food items.

Increasing trend of metabolic diseases like; obesity, hyperglycemia, heart disease, high blood pressure, have also forced to change the dietary habit.

Organic and high fiber contained diets’ demand is in increasing trend.

What are the links between diets, consumption and consumer habits and food systems?

Tradition of the community has strong links, e.g. South East Asian community prefers the rice based diet, whereas westerners go with meat and bread based one. Increasing Asian population in Europe and in United States has led to increased supply chain of Indian and Chinese food items.

Within the countries, Urbanization has also impacted on changing consumer’s habit and the food system.

How do changes in food systems affect changes of diets, and therefore health and nutritional outcomes?

Changes is food system has occurred due to  the changes in economy which  has led to increased consumption of nutrition rich diet such as milk, meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. Other changes are due to the changing lifestyle of the population, which has forced  to increased consumption of packed food.

What are the determinants of the changes in consumption?

Economy, food availability, knowledge in nutrition and the changes in lifestyle are the determinants of the changes in the consumption.

How do the dynamics of food systems drive consumption patterns?

As food systems are evolved as per the changed circumstances/lifestyle, certainly there is positive correlation between them.

How to shape and to address pathways to healthy nutrition?

Enhancing Knowledge on nutritional diet with due consideration on traditional food and the food habit. Developing Nutrition Strategy as per the situation/location.

What is the role of public policy in promoting healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all?

Certainly Country specific Public Policy will guide the strategic interventions in promoting healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate diet for all.

How to build on the diversity of the existing food systems?

Imparting Knowledge about nutrition rich food and strategic intervention on food commodities in value chain approach.

What is in practice the range of actionable solutions from farm to fork that enable better nutritional outcomes of food systems?

(i)            Develop country specific Agriculture based Food and Nutrition Strategy.

(ii)           Ensure Technical support and investment in increasing production and productivity of Nutrition rich crops and livestock.

(iii)         Ensure quality regulation.

(iv)         Consider resettlement of those poor, rural and scatted households in suitable places.

(v)           Help ensuring income generating opportunities to the low income group/ population.

What action should different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, take?

They will have specialized role and responsibilities, which could vary countries to countries. Their role responsibilities could best be identified and established in Country specific Food and Nutrition Strategy.

Dr.Purushottam P.Mainali

I had done this review for a very related document.

Cordially,

Claudio in Ho Chi Minh City

·         How and why do diets change?

One is associated with the food production through farming systems practices in agriculture and the other is non-agriculture system – animal meet and sea food. Under traditional agriculture farmers used to produce nutrient rich food including milk. With the chemical input agriculture technology this is drastically modified and now people get poor quality polluted diet including adulterated food. Even the sea/river/pond foods are contaminated with pollution.  

Cereals and pulses were important food components under traditional system. Now vegetables are consumed more but they are contaminated with polluted water use in producing them.

·         What are the links between diets, consumption and consumer habits and food systems?

With urban culture, there is lot change in diet when compared to rural diet.

·         How do changes in food systems affect changes of diets, and therefore health and nutritional outcomes?

When people consume polluted or adulterated foods nutritional quality is affected and thus health is severely affected. Several new diseases were introduced with such food.

·         What are the determinants of the changes in consumption?

Urban to rural; country to country; based on local food availability; impact of western food habits in to developed countries; journey foods; hotel foods, etc

·         How do the dynamics of food systems drive consumption patterns?

·         How to shape and to address pathways to healthy nutrition?

There is only one way changing the agriculture system from chemical inputs technology to organic input technology; controlling of water pollution; controlling of adulterated foods;

·         What is the role of public policy in promoting healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all?

Public policy under corrupt governance and MNC controlling such governance we rarely achieve healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Food for all is produced but we are wasting such food 30 to 50% of what is produced due to poor governance.

·         How to build on the diversity of the existing food systems?

With good governance

·         What is in practice the range of actionable solutions from farm to fork that enable better nutritional outcomes of food systems?

Organic forming

·         What action should different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, take?

At present the system is in the hands of MNCs and governments are run by the MNCs and even noble prize winners are canvassing for MNCs cause.

 Dr. S. Jeevananda Reddy

After having carefully read and commented on the preamble, I have repeatedly read the questions in the Issues Note.

Am I alone in feeling that some of the more relevant questions are not posed there --making some key issues to be missing?

Take for example (not exhaustively and not in any particular order):

The role of mono-cropping in modern resource-intensive agriculture.

• Palm oil quickly replacing trans-fats -- an ecological disaster in the making.
• Agro-industrial vs agro-ecological food systems.
• Food security vs food sovereignty.
• TNCs and vertical integration -- from seeds, to fertilizers, to pesticides, to processing (and ultra-processing!), to marketing and advertising (especially to children).
• The current predominant food system and NCDs -- another disaster in the making.
• Do diets and eating habits really change by choice?
• Consumer habits vs consumer manipulation.
• The determinants of the changes in consumer consumption are driven by ultra-processed foods being cheaper (thus the last resort option for those rendered poor) Is the dynamics of food consumption thus a form coercion?
• Public policies as a pathway to healthy nutrition vs the essential role of community empowerment and mobilization for true actionable solutions in the farm to fork continuum.
• Is the diversity in food systems being irreversibly lost? Why?

Ah, and, at the end, you call on stakeholder groups when you really ought to be calling on claim holders and duty bearers; this is what we must use in the UN system.

Am I very off the mark?

Claudio Schuftan, Ho Chi Minh City

Thank you to the HPLE Steering Committee for providing this opportunity for comment.

I think it is important to explicitly explore the importance of agricultural biodiversity in health diets.  A diversity of food systems is one component of agricultural biodiversity, but is not sufficient; the terms of reference for the HPLE paper should also explicitly assess the importance of agricultural biodiversity (genetic and species, not only agro-ecosystems) to healthy diets and nutrition.

We know that the predominant agricultural production practices today lead to continued genetic erosion and therefore, increased levels of genetic vulnerability of specialized crops and livestock.  The move away from diversity within crops, the move away from the diversity of crops and the move away from diversified cropping systems including an integration of livestock towards simplified, mainly cereal-based systems may provide sufficient caloric intake (for some) but it has contributed to imbalanced diets.  We also know that cereals cannot provide the necessary micronutrients and quality protein needed for a healthy diet.  The food system as it is working today is responsible for the twin problems of obesity and hunger and both are related to dietary simplification and this in turn starts from the simplification of what we grow.  The analysis needs to start there, but it is not the end point of looking through the biodiversity lens.

The note should look the relationship between the erosion of biodiversity and its impact on diets and nutrition.  In particular, it should explore the driving forces – including legal, political, institutional, and economic – behind the erosion and how these can be modified or mitigated.   These forces should be explored all along the chain from production to consumption because at each point availability and access to diversity can be affected by a variety of factors.  We need to look at how we design a supportive economic, political, social and legal environment that ensures that diversity is kept throughout the food chain and what are the current dynamics and trajectories that either support or challenge doing so.

Finally, in looking at through this diversity lens, in understanding the importance agricultural biological diversity at all levels plays in nutrition, we need to explore what this means for public policy in ensuring rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, improving nutrition and the resilience of the food system in rural areas.  It will need to move beyond the public sector as providing a buffer for risk for the private sector and explore what the nature and role of the public sector must be if we are to the biodiverse systems that are needed from food to fork to ensure healthy diets and nutrition for all.

A-First of all ,I cordially , thank HLPE steering committee who gave all scientists and well-experienced esperts this opporyunity to write and present their useful and effecive comments in the field of :Food system and nutrition

B- I will read very accurately, patiently and sincerely , the ten above-mentioned questions as follow:

1-How and why do diets change?

...

.........

.....

10-what action should..........take?

and will mail my view points to two E.mail address of moderator and secretariat up to 30 january 2016

I hope I can give effective and practical comments.

Again. thank you

Hamidreza Naderfard

On behalf of CIHEAM-Bari I would like to thank HLPE for this timely and interesting initiative.

I do believe that the topics addressed in the Issues note are relevant for better understanding the issues at play when talking about nutrition and food systems and especially the multifaceted and multidimensional relations and linkages that exist between nutrition, diets, food systems and sustainable food and nutrition security.

Nevertheless, I think that the Mediterranean diet - that is considered by many scholars as an example of sustainable diets - should be considered as a case study in the report. Better understanding what is happening in the Mediterranean area will provide insights for promoting more effectively sustainable diets in other agro-ecological zones and geographical contexts.

Moreover, I would like to suggest focusing also on tools (e.g. metrics, indicators, indices) for better assessing the nutrition-health, environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability of diets. The work carried out by CIHEAM-Bari and FAO – in collaboration with many other Italian, Mediterranean and international organisations – on the sustainability of the Mediterranean diets (http://www.iamb.it/share/img_new_medit_articoli/949_28dernini.pdf) can serve as an example.

Another aspect that should be better analysed in the report, according to me, is also the relation between traditional/typical diets and traditional diets in different contexts as well the impact of the evolution of that relation on local agro-biodiversity.

Once again I would like to thank for this outstanding initiative and look forward to contributing to the report.

Kind regards