Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: Guidance on strengthening national science-policy interfaces for agrifood systems – Draft report

Dear Office of the Chief Scientist, 

The SPI presents a unique opportunity for meaningful change on the ground, allowing policy makers to use scientific and evidenced based information to design policies that transcend the existing gaps between science, research, technology, innovation, and implementation. The draft underscores the significance of private sector involvement in SPI implementation and highlights how the private sector's expertise, resources, and innovative approaches can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of SPI interventions through: 

  • Financial investments in social protection and agricultural initiatives 
  • Technical assistance in program design and delivery 
  • Collaboration in value chain development to improve market access and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers. 

The Private Sector stresses that SPI implementation necessitates collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, academia, and the private sector and that multistakeholder partnerships are crucial for leveraging complementary strengths, resources, and networks to address complex challenges associated with poverty, food insecurity, and rural development.

The Private Sector calls on governments to play a pivotal role in creating an enabling policy environment and facilitating partnerships between the public and private sectors to contribute valuable insights, community networks, and research expertise based on science and evidence to SPI programs.

Strategies to facilitate private sector engagement and multistakeholder partnerships in SPI implementation which are supported by the private sector, include: 

  • Leveraging private sector expertise in designing and delivering SPI interventions, particularly in areas such as program management, technology adoption, and market-based solutions. 
  • Engaging private sector actors in value chain development to enhance agricultural productivity, market access, and income opportunities for smallholder farmers.
  • Promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs) to facilitate the delivery of SPI services and infrastructure, leveraging the respective strengths of both sectors.
  • Ensuring SPI recommendations are based on science and evidence. 

On behalf of the Private Sector Mechanism to the UN Committe on World Food Security.