Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Integration of local knowledge and scientific findings should be communicated to farmers in a simple way that the farmers can understand and apply. A lot of research findings have been gathered and published, but unfortunately the end user, the farmer the information my be talking about may not have reached the end user. Its scientist communicating to one another but very little information going all the way to the farmers

I think FAO should be focus on providing capacity building training for relevant stakeholders when it is important to link political governance and economic governance and train how the political governance support the economic governance positively or not influencing negatively. In many cases in developing countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa political governance influence negatively the economy governance.

Estimados/as

Acercamos nuestras experiencias y conocimientos sobre un caso real relacionado con la convocatoria:¿Cómo puede la FAO apoyar mejor a los países a la hora de abordar la gobernanza de la transformación de los sistemas agroalimentarios para hacerlos más sostenibles, inclusivos y resilientes?.

Griselda Muñoz y Sergio Montico

Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Universidad Nacional de Rosario 

Argentina 

Apropos above theme the following observations were made for kind concurrence:
 

Va adjunto el formulario correspondiente a la convocatoria "¿Cómo puede la FAO apoyar mejor a los países para abordar la gobernanza de la transformación de los sistemas agroalimentarios para hacerlos más sostenibles, inclusivos y resilientes?" 

Saludos cordiales!

Martin Aboaf Petit de Murat

IBM Senior Programmer - Microsoft Excel Expert Specialist – Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator
Docente ISEA-SRA, IPCVA, ACHA, Fund. Libertad, Cambio Rural y FEPALE

Consultor de la Cámara Nicaragüense del Sector Lácteo
Ex Asesor de la Subsecretaría de Lechería de la Nación
Consultor: www.todoagro.com.ar - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mapdm/

Dear all,

Note, these issues enumerated here are associated to all nations in the world (global south and north) but I am using my nation Nigeria now because of peculiarity now.

1. Insecurity: Nigeria is a multi-sectoral and diverse economic to start with. However, the first point of call on FAO is the area of insecurity crisis internally. A productive economic arises on the bases of peace and security. What this means is that FAO can assist technically or otherwise in the area of curbing insecurity menace that affects the nation’s Agri-economic in the country. Support in security management and resolution of the internal crisis which is robbing the economic productivity not just the Agri-economic area alone and others. However, this is more severe in the Agri-economic, with farmers especially between farmers-herdsmen. This is a way of assuring and reassuring them that their lives and properties are safe. This will therefore builds confidence in them to go on with their normal businesses and as well boost Agri-food production and raises the GDP of the country. When the security is there it will improve the country’s revenue especially in middle belt states in the country. It will reposition the government strength and ability and compliment the responses so far made by Nigerian's government. Again, results will be extended, even in other areas. This notwithstanding, it may be difficult for FAO because of the area it function and decision pertinent to peace and security in international community. Nevertheless, she can channel her action through UN Security Council on this subject matter. This will create good relationship and synergy with this organ in UN structure to carry their intervention activities in conflict resolution area with nations affected in the area of Agri-economic. This is a link created to support nations in conflict like this internally but Nigeria as a first point. What affect internal structure of a nation can break into international community irrespective of UN structure of non-intervention of internal crisis. But when it become unbearable there should be a second thought or look of the decision, because a lot has escalated into external conflicts. Experience is the best teacher!

    

2. Specific products: FAO can assist, support or help to develop, remedy and revival a country’s develop Agri-economic products that leads to job creation, GDP increase and food security in a nation. However, this can be in a partnership or collaboration with the nation in this area of products, a country is known for internally and internationally as a source of revenue for the country. For example, Nigeria is known for palm oil, rubber, groundnut, cocoa etc these will boost Nigeria GDP and help to alleviate hunger and poverty and bridge the gap of inequality between other countries. It will raise her economic equality in international community. The partnership should be enjoyed by both parties, with great cooperation and synergy of meeting SDGs equality instead of inequality in economic goals and development of nations in the world.

    

3. Grant: FAO can also come in this form by assisting the local farmers with resources directly without third party involvement but solely direct intervention to local farmers in the communities. This could be in terms of financial support, fertilizers supply, farm's equipment etc to boost the confidence of local farmers and their interest in farming that will reflect in national GDP. This will really strengthen the local farmers investment in Agri-food products and the return yield would be food security within and neighbouring countries. The supply would be high since more farmers have been empowered financially and other areas. This will also lead to prices crash of products both within and in international market. Just assume Nigerians farmers are really empowered directly by the government and FAO directly, imagine the production and boost of production internally and in international market.

    

4. Research: FAO can also come in to assist in the area of research, training that empower Agri-seed, best season for plantation and best soil for each seed in every nation. This means soil fertility will be an utmost priority to FAO. And the need to reduce soil diseases, crops diseases and destruction should be researched out by FAO as a way of assisting nations’ production in Agri-economic sector of nation. In other words, when a nation’s soil is known, the best product can be planted and great harvest can be made out of it at the end of harvesting time. There is a soil that grow fast and healthy in every area in nations. This can be partner with the government and other interested Agri-investors.

    

5. Irrigation: FAO can also support in the area of irrigation, the area and region that lack water supply to keep farming alive in the world. This would boost a healthy and wealthy crops and harvest. This can also be a collaboration or joint ventures that can take kilometers or miles to boost the Agri-seed, crops, Agri-food and Agri-economic of the area and nation. The irrigation will change the narrative of Agri-products in that area and the country. This can be a partnership venture even with other interested Agri-investors.

    

6. Technical adviser: FAO can also serve as technical adviser to any government and investors in Agri-food economic. They can support good government policies through advocacy and awareness creation. They can help to initiate a policy for the government that support the farmers business in Agri-economic. They can sponsor a programme that will change the cause of doing Agri-food business and economic. They can help to train farmers on the new technicality of Agri-food production. They can help initiate a favourable policy that support the nation’s productivity through supply and demand of Agri-products in the country and international community. They can also act through other actors especially non-state actors in the Agri-economic area like private sector, civil society organizations and NGOs to serve as a technical advisers to government and farmers in nations of the world. This is a way of supporting food security system globally. And there are other areas they can support and response to a nation’s Agri-economic.

 Thank you.

Esosa Orhue

The South African Food system is comprised of a range of actors in the production, storage, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products. Furthermore, the food system is made up of sub-systems (farming/production systems, market systems, waste management systems and input management systems). 

Issues affecting the country’s food system include governance, political, social and economics of food production. 

The country’s National Food and Nutrition Security Plan Evaluation Report (2023) has identified governance as one of the gaps that requires urgent attention. The country has identified four pathways:

• Enhancement of sustainable local production for local consumption of safe, nutritious and indigenous foods; 
• Promotion of economic and environmental resilience;
• Facilitation of inclusive, sustainable and competitive value chains; and
• Promotion of integrated food systems policies, legislation, planning and governance.

Each pathway will be governed by a Committee and will report to the Food Systems National Task Team. The Food Systems Task Team will then report to the Food Security Council which will make decisions regarding the food security matters in the country. The National Food and Nutrition Council will be chaired by the Deputy President of the country.

The FAO can contribute towards the governance of the agrifood systems by further linking up with the Nominated Food Systems Focal Points in various countries. The need to involve various stakeholders in the food systems transformation is critical as each role player has a specific area of focus. 

In South Africa engagements have been with Farmer Organizations, Institutions of Learning, Civil Society and Traditional Leaders. The cost of hosting various consultative processes are unaffordable for some of the critical stakeholders. The FAO can support by providing assistance for meeting platforms, eg. The FAO once supported our Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development with a 1 000 people consultative meeting during the Food Systems Country Dialogues [prior the Food Systems Summit] and created a virtual meeting platform that was used to engage all.

The country, therefore, seeks assistance in setting up a governance structure by facilitating the establishment of a National Food Systems Task Team, and a committee for each identified pathway. 

Specifically, assistance is required on the following requirements: 

• Technical expertise on Food Systems in the country to assist with governance i.e setting up the National Food Systems Task Team.  
• Financial backing especially for Civil society participation 
• Technical post-harvest technology for use by subsistence and smallholder producers (inexpensive). 

SUBMITTED BY THE FOOD SECURITY UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DALRRD). 

END 

Taking advantage of the experience of developed countries can be valuable for developing nations. A key role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is to moderate discussions and provide a space for the exchange of information and experiences. The organisation is also tasked with setting the standard when it comes to technical and statistical analysis by merging data from multiple sources and generating outputs that are of practical benefit. International workshops and seminars organised by the FAO offer a platform for experts working in different countries to exchange views on solutions aimed at standardising practice, and to establish mutually beneficial partnerships. 

Cooperation between the FAO and other organisations such as ICAR and Interbull can deliver many benefits in the field of performance recording and breeding value estimation. Strengthening the genetic basis of given traits and characteristics is one of the most effective ways of improving animal production. Now and in the future, these techniques have the potential to reduce emissions and increase efficiency. For example, predictive breeding techniques can help to reduce methane emissions and improved feed conversion. Breeding for sustainability-related traits using genomics is one of the most promising areas, reflecting the direction in which efforts are now focused.

The FAO also has a vital role to play in stimulating discussion on new business models that can be introduced in member countries, especially developing nations. This approach can help promote innovation, modernise technology, and advance the field of data processing. Developing new agricultural policies and acknowledging the ways in which farmers and government officials now communicate and interact are also important. One way the FAO could improve in this regard is to conduct more hands-on workshops with the aim of bringing government representatives and stakeholders together to discuss case studies and generate productive debate on key issues. Creating an environment conducive to open dialogue and removing barriers to participation are proven to maximise the exchange of knowledge between individuals.

Dear Sir/ Ma,

FAO can coordinate and arrange capacity-building programs and training workshops to strengthen the capacity of authorities, institutions, researchers, and stakeholders considered in agrifood system governance. This includes providing training on: data collection and analysis, policy analysis, stakeholder appointment, data collection and analysis, and supervising and assessment.