In below, you can find some ideas we already proposed for GCHERA 2015 “Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agriculture and Life Sciences” next conference.
This info fits with the Proposed Scope of the HLPE Report and can give some ideas in order to elaborate the draft.
“Feeding 9 billion people by 2050 will need an increase of food production by 50%. So satisfying the food security needs of the future population while having a smaller environmental footprint are key goals of our societies.
These goals seem somehow to be inconsistent in practice due to agriculture’s footprint such like carbon, energy, water and chemicals use...These footprints have already caused the loss of whole ecosystems around the globe.
Therefore, these goals are turning into challenges especially with climate change and shortage that are likely to fundamentally alter the structure of food systems around the world leading to more negative environmental impacts. So in order to increase productivity and yield, advanced research and technologies are needed.
Many questions need to be answered in the future HLPE Report:
1- What are the keys to improving livestock productivity with no net increase in water and energy use, waste disposal and chemical inputs? How can we overcome the odds between production and environmental protection?
2- What are the possible ways to develop environmental management throughout the life cycle of main food products? Can the “100-mile diet” movement in Europe be applied on a global level?
3- What mix of agricultural systems is needed to meet expected future demand for food? How can we design systems that can handle climate change, and pathogens and/or pest pressures?
4- Can a shift in diets, decreasing the demand for livestock-based products, free up substantial amounts of food across the world?
5- What policies can make our food system more sustainable? What kind of measures can governments promote and support to private-sector agricultural development, entrepreneurship, and the formation of public-private partnerships?”
Alain Abi Rizk