Call for submissions

Call for experiences, best practices and scalable solutions for the integration of biodiversity into agriculture

Biodiversity is the cornerstone of sustainable production and food security. It contributes to the health of ecosystems, the sustainability of food production and the resilience of livelihoods. The agricultural sector - plant and animal production, fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry - depends on biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides, but it is also the sector with the greatest influence on biodiversity.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in December 2022 sets the course for global biodiversity action over the next six years and beyond. It includes 23 targets to achieve by 2030, several of which specifically concern the agricultural sector. Its implementation will require the involvement of stakeholders in the agricultural sector. 

This challenge will be the subject of the International Symposium "Agriculture, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Commitments to Actions", to be held in Quebec City, Canada, from April 30 to May 2, 2024.[1] The Symposium will discuss technical recommendations to facilitate the agricultural sector's commitment to achieving sector-relevant targets. These recommendations will build on efforts already underway to integrate biodiversity into agriculture, and will take into account the opportunities, constraints, and challenges, for food producers and all other stakeholders, that need to be addressed to better integrate biodiversity into agriculture.

Through this call for submissions, the steering committee of the Symposium and its co-chairs are inviting stakeholders to submit contributions on experiences and best practices, and concrete, scalable solutions concerning biodiversity and agriculture, in order to inform the Symposium and facilitate the development of recommendations.

A first version of the recommendations (Zero Draft) serves as a reference for completing the template for submissions.

The call is open until 18 March 2024.

How to take part in this call for submissions:

To take part in this Call for submissions, please register to the FSN Forum, if you are not yet a member, or “sign in” to your account. Please download the submission template (English, French or Spanish) and upload the completed form in the box “Post your contribution” on this webpage. Please keep the length of submissions limited to 1,500 words and feel also free to attach relevant supporting materials. For any technical support regarding downloading or uploading the submission form, please send an email to [email protected].

We look forward to receiving your contributions, which will undoubtedly enrich the Conference and its outcomes.

Co-facilitator:

Julie Bélanger, Natural Resources Officer (Biodiversity), Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO


[1]The International Symposium "Agriculture, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Commitments to Actions" is co-organized by the Laval University (UL), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Ministry of International relations and La Francophonie (MRIF) of the Government of Quebec.

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In 2022, the European Union approved the promotion of Agroforestry Systems through PROMOVE AGRIBIZ, a project implemented by FAO,  which integrates agroforestry practices into Farmer Field School initiatives in Zambézia and Nampula provinces in Mozambique. The initiative is anticipated to benefit approximately 5,000 individuals through the planting of roughly 1.7 million trees. Private sector engagement facilitates the sale of carbon credits, with 80% of the proceeds generated directly benefiting farmers. The agroforestry component of the project has the potential to positively impact biodiversity and offers various socioeconomic benefits, including income diversification for farmers, capacity building, and sustainable rural development.

Д-р. A C Baker

The Vegan Society
Соединенное Королевство

Global North industrial-scale farming of animals is driving most harms to biodiversity. 

Only 10% of individual non-human mammals & birds are of surviving, diverse, free-living species; the other 90% are almost all of the relatively few artificially-bred animal species in industrial-scale farming.

Soil life - about c. 25% of global biodiversity - is critical for resilient, diverse ecosystem biodiversity.  

Thus, the Zero Draft does not take a sufficiently systems-based approach.  

Biodiversity rises consistently on well-managed Stock-Free (no farmed animal) holdings, including soil biodiversity.  

We urgently need such plant-based, 'livestock-free' biosphere management & food systems in the Global North.  

Thank you for this opportunity to share this vital work, 

Dr AC Baker, on behalf of Claire Ogley, Head of Campaigns, Policy & Research, The Vegan Society (UK)

In 2017, the FAO implemented the "Payment for Ecosystem Services to Support Forest Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods" project in the Zambezia Province, Mozambique, with the endorsement of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF). The Apiculture component supported beneficiary communities and traditional beekeepers by providing modern hives, technical assistance, and training. Honey production through beekeeping has yielded an impressive output of around 20 kg per hive annually, compared to the traditional method, which produced only 6 to 8 kg per hive. With five hives a producer will be earning equal income to that of a minimum salary. The project was implemented with the private sector and continues to operate successfully after the exit of FAO. The number of women entrepreneurs producing honey had doubled to 52% at this time. The number of women and youth who work with honey continues to grow. Private sector off-takers facilitated the entire commercialization process of the honey produced, ensuring that the income generated from its sale went straight to the producer. By investing in beekeeping and improving their skills, individuals and communities can significantly increase their income and improve their livelihoods. Beekeeping is a lucrative and sustainable way to boost income, improve pollination, protect biodiversity and the forest.

Krystyna Swiderska

International Institute for Environment and Development
Соединенное Королевство

Dear Sir/ Madam, 

I am happy to submit this contribution on the Potato Park Biocultural Heritage Territory on behalf of Asociacion ANDES (Peru) and IIED. While I have submitted this contribution, in case it is accepted, we would like to nominate Tammy Stenner at ANDES to participate in the conference since she is based in Toronto, Canada. 

With many thanks and best wishes,

Krystyna Swiderska (IIED) 

Dear Steering Committee and Co-Chairs,

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is thankful for the opportunity to provide input to inform the symposium on Agriculture, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Commitments to Actions. IFT is a global organization of approximately 11,000 members who are committed to advancing the science of food. We believe food science and technology solutions can help enable biodiversity and contribute to a sustainable, safe, and nutritious food system. Please find our submission attached.

Regards,

Institute of Food Technologists

Г-жа Carola von Schenk

Regenerative organic farm company, regenerative meat production/distribution company, financial investment company
Германия

This submission draws on our operational experience in transitioning a conventional crop and cattle farm in the south of Chile to regenerative organic livestock management, organic vegetable gardening, native tree reforestation and regenertaive bee-keeping and in our commercial experience in launching a significant Chilean regenerative meat brand so as to raise broader public awareness of regenerative farming. 

I represent  a regenerative organic cattle farm in the south of Chile that includes a native tree reforestation and regenerative bee-keeping project and engages in data collection and academic/scientific research collaboration with Chilean universities relating to the transition from conventional to regenerative farming practices and relating to training of the next generation of regenerative farmers. I also represent its commercial sister company that produces and commercialises via its own regenerative meat brand our farm animals' meat. 

Both companies have the goal of promoting regenerative agriculture in the context of sustainable food systems, climate change mitigation and adaptation. We work to contribute to the UN SDGs. 

Thank you very much for your interest. 

The Passitec Network was created in 2008 by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) to establish a methodology that would strengthen and structure production chains aimed at the sustainable use of plants from Brazilian biodiversity that are still little known. The Passitec Network managed to generate the necessary technologies to structure supply chains to use native species of the genus Passiflora. Passitec's efforts were recognized by the Brazil Engineering Awards (2011), Celso Furtado Regional Development Awards (2017), and the highlight given by FAO (2019).

Good morning!

I share an attachment with my contribution to the " Call for experiences, best practices and scalable solutions for the integration of biodiversity into agriculture".

Hugs

Walter José Rodrigues Matrangolo, Doctor in Ecology

Research in Agroecology and Organic Agriculture

Embrapa Corn and Sorghum

Tel.: +55 (31) 99931 9804

 

 

Д-р. MUGISHA ALAIN DESIRE

INSTITUT DE FORMATION ET DE RECHERCHE, ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DE GEOGRAPHIE FRANCOPHONE DEMOGRAPHIQUE
Бурунди

Bonjour chers tous, Je partage les actions prioritaires dans prise en compte de la biodiversité dans le secteur agricole pour faire face à ces défis au Burundi. Je compte affiner cette contribution pour la partager lors de la colloque prévu du 30 avril au 2 mai 2024.