Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation

A.

  • The proposed scope is quite comprehensive but it lacks focus on women's empowerment in addressing food and nutrition security in the context of urbanization and rural transformation.
  •  Emphasis on food safety, food wastage and food & nutrition loss in the food production and food supply chain is also required. 
  • An inclusive urban design can play a key role in fostering food security in the urban and peri urban areas.  

B. Successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri urban food systems

Farmers' collectives with the help of private partners/ startups have helped maintaining the food supply chains during Covid-19 in India. Few of the examples are 

  • Agrify Organic Solutions, 

It is a Mumbai-based startup had volunteered to home deliver fresh vegetables and fruits during the Covid-19 lockdown and had worked with 500 farmers in Nashik district of India. The procedure followed was 

All the farmers engaged with the startup pack the vegetables and store in clean warehouses from where it goes to Mumbai.

A 6-tonne capacity truck traveled to the metro city every day carrying 2500 boxes from where it is distributed to the housing societies.

All the payments were made via digital modes and a customer was expected to pay only after the delivery.

The boxes were delivered at one point of contact in the society, and every customer was expected to open the box in their house for hygiene purposes.

  • Sahyadri Farms

Sahyadri Farms via its unique inclusive partnership with farmers has built a strong capability over the years in areas of primary processing of food and vegetables, semi-processed products like frozen & aseptic; processed products like fruit jams; tomato ketchup; fruit beverages and food and vegetables waste processing under an integrated zero discharge processing facility.

‍

Sahyadri Farms began with the mission to ensure that the small-landholding farmers of India are given fair compensation for their produce and labour. This was achieved by adhering to global standards of agricultural practices, world-class infrastructure, international food safety standards, and the will to deliver safe, hygienic, and healthy food to the consumers.

During Covid-19 Sahyadri Farms (A Farmers’ Producers collective), was delivering assorted fresh vegetable boxes in Mumbai, Nasik and Pune.

Consumers were able to choose from separate fruits and vegetables boxes and also  with all the staples that they might need.

They were also delivering to housing societies with bulk orders.  

  • These successful example can guide us in designing a sustainable food supply chain that can ensure food and nutrition security even during the emergency conditions.