Jamaica Food Systems Consultation Workshop- September 7
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Union (EU), and the French Agriculture Research Centre for Development (CIRAD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Planning Institute of Jamaica are convening a Consultation Workshop on “Catalysing the Sustainable and Inclusive Transformation of Food Systems” on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
This consultation workshop will gather key actors and experts to discuss and agree on multi-dimensional issues related to the sustainability of food systems in Jamaica. This interactive and participatory session will take place online.
The workshop is one of many being organized in the Caribbean, and across the world through a partnership with governments, FAO, the EU, and CIRAD. The last set of workshops held in the Caribbean were held in Belize and in Barbados and the OECS countries in August.
Background
Since 2020, the EU, FAO and CIRAD have entered into a partnership with governments and stakeholders to initiate a large-scale assessment and consultation on food systems in more than 50 countries, as a first step towards transforming them. The three partners share as priority agenda to be part in supporting the global transition to sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems. As we move closer to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of a better future for all, particularly in this last decade of action, a concerted effort is needed to rethink our food systems. They are critical to achieving all SDGs. However, the solutions are complex.
Each regional, national and even sub-national food system has its own specificities and set of hurdles, which means that a solution for one may not apply to all, but stakeholders can learn from each other’s way of improving the system. Therefore, a continuous dialogue on these improved approaches between all actors at national, regional and international level is required.
Jamaican context
Modern food systems, comprising of all elements from production to consumption, are currently failing to fulfill their purpose to provide nutritious and healthy food to all and contribute to enhanced livelihood opportunities in an inclusive and environmentally sustainable way. They are being challenged by many factors, including access to healthy diets, slow uptake of climate smart agriculture techniques, technology, growing urbanization, climate change, among others. Whilst the Caribbean region produces enough food to potentially feed everyone, the triple burden of malnutrition, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases are on the rise. In Jamaica, this is further compounded by an approximate 30% of food loss and waste within the agri-food system, a lack of efficient agro-processing systems, insufficient storage for farmed produce, challenges with transport and marketing networks resulting in persistent marginalization of many small-scale producers. It is these challenges that trigger an endless cycle of precariousness and poverty and which result in a need for an inclusive and sustainable transformation of Jamaica’s food systems if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Assessment Process
The EU-FAO-CIRAD food system assessment was launched in Jamaica in mid-July 2021.
The assessment is unfolding through four stages: the first stage draws the big picture of the food system, the second stage highlights key evidence to refine, refute or support the big picture, while in the third stage, a large stakeholders’ consultation takes place, giving diverse food systems actors opportunities to share views on key issues and challenges and analyze solutions. In the final fourth stage, the main findings will be summarized in a synthesis report.
The national team, supported by international experts, has been gathering evidence on the characteristics and resilience of the Jamaican food system through desk reviews and individual consultations with a number of involved stakeholders. This consultation workshop on Tuesday, September 7, is the third step in this process.
Looking forward
The workshop aims to frame a policy and investment agenda as well as to guide future support programmes of FAO and the EU in aiding creation of a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally friendly food system from “farm to fork.” Findings from the assessment will be summarized in a Food Systems Assessment Technical Report and Policy Brief that could feed into future food systems policies, dialogues and investments in Jamaica and provide insight to the high-level United Nations Food System Summit 2021, convened by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in September 2021.