First of all, it must be congratulated CFS’s efforts to address the Food and Nutrition issue of the present and future generations through a review of both academic and experiential knowledge. It is also heartening to note that these efforts are being tied up with implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Having observed the right direction of CFS for Food and Nutrition, I am giving my views and comments on the Issue Note on “Nutrition and Food Systems”.
The Note brings almost all major issues to be covered up in the intended Report that describes the critical relationship between food systems and nutrition. Along with the particular SDGs- the goals 2, (zero hunger) and 13 (climate action), the goals 3, that targets good health and well-being; and 12 responsible consumption and production shall get adequate attention.
Further, the report shall examine FS&N with equal emphasis as given for other pertinent issues for the following concerns as well:
- How do changes in ecosystems affect changes in diet? How do such changes lead to man-animal conflict and food production? How do we address the trade -offs in biodiversity conservation and FS&N?
- How do changes in gender dimensions at food production regimes (it is said about 80% of the food production in south Asian (most under nourished and hidden hunger laid region is done by women) affect the FS&N. The changes in gender relationships play a huge role in changes in diets and thereby in nutrition.
- The role of Market should get more focussed discussion and reporting as both a challenge and opportunity in promoting diverse food systems. The scalability and transportation issues largely determine the change of food system.
- The report shall bring as many successful cases that are presented briefly as evidences that addresses the triple burden of malnutrition in different parts of the world.
Anil Kumar