On behalf of the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM), we thank Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme) of the UN One Planet network (10YFP) for the opportunity to comment on the draft v1.0; Towards a common understanding of Sustainable Food Systems.
After an initial review of the draft, the following are overarching comments based on the leading questions;
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2018 prepared by UNDP indicated 3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty. 85% of those live in rural areas. Furthermore, 83% of all multidimensionally poor people in the world live in Sub- Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Today we face the reality that the number of hungry globally is on the RISE. The most pressing issues of development must focus on SDG 1 and SDG
2.2 particularly stunting and wasting of children, along with child and maternal health.
Based on the above, PSM urges that sustainable food systems must first and foremost focus on the most vulnerable population such as those living in rural poverty, women, and children while taking into account the unique needs of individual countries.
Sustainable food system approach considers food systems in their totality, taking into account the interconnection and trade-offs among the different elements of the food system, as well as their diverse actors, activities, drivers and outcomes. However, in describing the sustainable food systems approach, Attention to sustainability seems to be displacing attention to the need to make serious efforts to end hunger in the world. We strongly disagree with the notion that sustainable food systems is a precondition for global food security. The reality is that we are far from solving the global hunger problem.
Food safety, nutrition and food security are inextricably linked. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, mainly affecting infants, young children, the elderly and the sick. Foodborne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining health care systems and harming national economies, tourism and trade. Throughout various section of the draft and in particular Section 2.1, we recommend the addition of food safety as a key pillar within the sustainable food system approach. The word safe only shows up in the text on page 17 of the document.
Global food trade has a critical role to play in feeding the world: by matching food supply to global demand, efficient markets ensure that food is accessible and affordable for all. The effort to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers towards a multilateral trading system that is open, non-discriminatory, and rule-based is a necessary component of any food system.
Productivity gains achieved through external inputs can increase farm incomes and resilience. Poorest farmers often have the lowest yields due to lack of improved seed varieties, and other external inputs. External inputs can reduce risks e.g. by providing missing nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection and disease and pest resistance. We support the efficient and integrated approach to inputs as an integral part of any sustainable food system.
On the ten principles of agroecology, agroecological agriculture should include traditional food systems with good environmental outcomes, and also innovative systems that are reducing the footprint of agriculture. Agroecological outcomes should have clear metrics on soil, water use, water quality and other outcomes. Furthermore, the principles are missing an essential component on the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation
The development of innovative technology to increase sustainable food production remains an area with enormous potential. Innovations to improve water efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions already exist; an immense challenge is in facilitating technology adoption in developing countries that suffer from low productivity.
Sound investments in infrastructure, ranging from roads to markets to telecommunications, will accelerate the transformation towards a more sustainable system.
Today, more than 40% of the population globally is youth. We won't be able to achieve the SDG goals unless we can engage, recruit and retain youth in the sustainable food systems approach. We think it will be critical to make efforts towards engaging young agricultural and food leaders and to equip them with the knowledge, resources, and access to markets needed to produce and distribute food to feed the world.
We reinforce the recommendation in section 3.3 and in particular
Achieving coherent, integrated policies working across sectors to support enhanced food systems and diverse consumption requires emphasis on institutional and human capacity building. Without strong institutions and capable personnel, even the best and well-formulated guidelines will not provide the desired policy and program development, implementation and monitoring.
It is difficult to design and enact sound policies in the absence of nutrition-focused and policy-relevant research on food systems and food demand. It is essential to have access to high-quality, multi-sectoral information systems, analytical capabilities, knowledge sharing platforms, and best practices resources.
Countries cannot achieve their SDG goals without an aligned, motivated and incentivized private sector as a key partner. In this context, improved multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration between government, business, civil society and international organizations is crucial for guiding engagement and focusing efforts where they can have the most sustainable impact and long-term success.
The private sector is a supportive partner in improving public health and well-being through listening, learning, and sharing expertise to discuss and develop practical opportunities for actions that meet public health objectives.
The sustainable food system approach should encourage all actors to invest, apply, adapt, and co-create R&D to improve the sustainability and resilience in the context of FSN development and support to risk management tools such as crop insurance, which can improve the long- term well-being of farmers and provide a stable platform for further improvements in production systems.
Mr. Sid Mehta
On behalf of the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM), we thank Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme) of the UN One Planet network (10YFP) for the opportunity to comment on the draft v1.0; Towards a common understanding of Sustainable Food Systems.
After an initial review of the draft, the following are overarching comments based on the leading questions;
2.2 particularly stunting and wasting of children, along with child and maternal health.