Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

ORIGINAL FRENCH COMMENT BELOW

Dear Partners,

I'm Karima Hammami, a civil servant at the Ministry of Health in Tunisia, with a PhD in applied geology. I work on issues related to wastewater and treated water management, environmental health and the protection of populations against water-related risks. As an active member of several associations committed to the rights of small farmers and the right to adequate food (Association Racines de la Terre et Justice Sociale (Earth Roots and Social Justice Association)/Coordination Nationale de la Marche Mondiale des Femmes en Tunisie (National Coordination of the World March of Women in Tunisia)), I have gained diverse experience on issues of food security, livelihood resilience and sustainable governance in times of protracted crisis.

In Tunisia, prolonged crises linked to climate change, economic tensions and environmental degradation have a direct impact on food security and nutrition. The mobilization of the CFS-FFA principles is essential to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations, particularly small-scale farmers, rural women and marginalized communities.

Experience and best practices

1. Participatory and multi-sectoral approach
   A major initiative was carried out through multi-sectoral consultation workshops involving public authorities, local associations and small-scale farmers. This approach has made it possible to integrate local concerns into agricultural and food policies.
2. Strengthening livelihood resilience
   Pilot projects have been implemented to diversify farming activities and promote agroecological techniques adapted to local climatic conditions. These initiatives have significantly improved the incomes of rural households and reduced their vulnerability to climatic hazards.
3. Gender equality
   Training programs and access to microfinance have been specifically targeted at rural women, enabling them to strengthen their role in food production chains and reduce economic inequalities.
4. Evidence-based analysis
   The introduction of a national monitoring system for waterborne pathogens has enabled us to better manage the risks associated with water contamination, thus contributing to greater food safety.

Lessons learned

• Multi-sector coordination is a key factor in ensuring a coherent and sustainable response to crises.
• Gender mainstreaming not only addresses inequalities, but also strengthens the resilience of rural communities.
• An evidence-based approach improves decision-making and the management of protracted crises.

Recommendations

• To strengthen the integration of the CFS-FFA into national policies through a robust legislative and regulatory approach.
• To institutionalize participatory processes to ensure active involvement of local stakeholders.
• To support data collection and analysis for regular evaluation and continuous improvement of the measures adopted.
• To promote awareness of the principles of the right to adequate food, particularly among political decision-makers.

Conclusion

The application of the CFS-FFA in Tunisia has demonstrated its potential to improve food security and resilience in the face of prolonged crises. The sharing of experiences and lessons learned through this contribution aims to encourage wider and more effective adoption of this strategic framework at national and international level.

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Cher partenaire,

Je suis Karima Hammami, fonctionnaire au Ministère de la Santé en Tunisie, titulaire d’un doctorat en géologie appliquée. Je travaille sur des dossiers liés à la gestion des eaux usées et traitées, la santé environnementale, ainsi que la protection des populations contre les risques hydriques. En tant que membre actif de plusieurs associations engagées pour les droits des petits agriculteurs et pour le droit à une alimentation adéquate (Association Racines de la Terre et Justice Sociale/ Coordination Nationale de la Marche Mondiale des Femmes en Tunisie), j’ai acquis une expérience diversifiée sur les questions de sécurité alimentaire, de résilience des moyens de subsistance et de gouvernance durable en période de crises prolongées.

En Tunisie, les crises prolongées liées aux changements climatiques, aux tensions économiques et à la dégradation environnementale ont un impact direct sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition. La mobilisation des principes du CSA-CDA est essentielle pour renforcer la résilience des populations vulnérables, notamment les petits agriculteurs, les femmes rurales et les communautés marginalisées.

Expérience et bonnes pratiques

1. Approche participative et multisectorielle
   Une initiative majeure a été menée à travers des ateliers de concertation multisectoriels impliquant les autorités publiques, les associations locales et les petits producteurs agricoles. Cette approche a permis d’intégrer les préoccupations locales dans les politiques agricoles et alimentaires.
2. Renforcement de la résilience des moyens de subsistance
   Des projets pilotes ont été mis en œuvre pour diversifier les activités agricoles et promouvoir des techniques agroécologiques adaptées aux conditions climatiques locales. Ces initiatives ont permis une amélioration significative des revenus des ménages ruraux et une réduction de leur vulnérabilité face aux aléas climatiques.
3. Égalité des genres
   Des programmes de formation et d'accès au microfinancement ont spécifiquement ciblé les femmes rurales, leur permettant de renforcer leur rôle dans les chaînes de production alimentaire et de réduire les inégalités économiques.
4. Analyse fondée sur des données probantes
   La mise en place d'un tableau de bord national de surveillance des pathogènes d'origine hydrique a permis une meilleure gestion des risques liés à la contamination de l’eau, contribuant ainsi à une sécurité alimentaire accrue.

Leçons apprises

• La coordination multisectorielle est un facteur clé pour assurer une réponse cohérente et durable face aux crises.
• L'intégration du genre permet non seulement de remédier aux inégalités, mais également de renforcer la résilience des communautés rurales.
• Une approche fondée sur des données probantes améliore la prise de décision et la gestion des crises prolongées.

Recommandations

• Renforcer l’intégration du CSA-CDA dans les politiques nationales en adoptant une approche législative et réglementaire solide.
• Institutionnaliser les processus participatifs pour garantir une implication active des parties prenantes locales.
• Soutenir la collecte et l’analyse des données pour une évaluation régulière et une amélioration continue des mesures adoptées.
• Promouvoir la sensibilisation aux principes du droit à une alimentation adéquate, notamment auprès des décideurs politiques.

Conclusion

L'application du CSA-CDA en Tunisie a montré son potentiel pour améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et la résilience face aux crises prolongées. Le partage des expériences et des leçons apprises à travers cette contribution vise à encourager une adoption plus large et efficace de ce cadre stratégique à l'échelle nationale et internationale.

Automated wheat Phenotyping and Trait Development Platform for salt  tolerance to mitigate climate change impacts  an food security using remote sensing data

Salt stress, as one of the most significant abiotic stresses, causes considerable yield reduction worldwide, posing a direct threat to global food security. In Egypt, where high population growth rates and frequent soil degradation exacerbate agricultural challenges, the impact of salt stress is especially critical. Therefore, salt-tolerant plants offer a sustainable solution for many developing countries by enabling crop production on land and water resources unsuitable for conventional crops. These crops can provide essential food, fodder, and fuel, reducing pressure on arable lands while supporting food security initiatives. To maximize the potential of salt-tolerant plants, it is crucial to identify and understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance.

Despite their importance, the molecular bases of salt stress tolerance remain largely unexplored, especially the differences in global gene expression between salt-tolerant and susceptible genotypes. One of the key challenges is the limited ability to collect high-resolution, accurate phenotypic data, which hinders the integration of this information with genomic data to identify and modify essential genes for breeding improved crop varieties. Overcoming this bottleneck by using advanced sensing technologies on both ground-based mobile and remote platforms for automated phenotyping could significantly enhance plant breeding programs. This would help improve the resilience of crops like wheat to salinity stress, thereby contributing to greater food security.

Our interdisciplinary team at NARSS, supported by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and the Agriculture Research Center (ARC), will develop an automated, high-throughput system called the Automated Wheat Phenotyping and Trait Development Platform. This platform is designed to enable end users to assess and improve wheat productivity and resilience by quantifying field performance variations and identifying critical genomic traits for salinity tolerance. By integrating airborne and ground-based sensor technologies, validated with ground-referenced data, this system will match agronomic performance data with genotypic data through complex analytics. The resulting optimization of wheat yield and biomass production under high salinity conditions will mitigate climate change impacts and strengthen food security.

Our objectives include: (a) optimizing high-throughput remote sensing technologies to acquire relevant data on wheat plant phenotypes, (b) implementing data analytics algorithms for segmentation and feature extraction, (c) developing predictive models for plant growth and performance under stress conditions, (d) designing and implementing sophisticated genetic analysis pipelines to identify genes controlling wheat performance, (e) creating a user-friendly platform to provide breeders and other end users with easy access to data and analytics, and (f) identifying differentially expressed genes in the leaves of Egyptian wheat genotypes with varying salt tolerance to assist in breeding salt-tolerant strains.

This study will select wheat genotypes with varying degrees of salt tolerance, characterized through physiological measurements such as relative water content, chlorophyll fluorescence, sugar and proline content, and ion concentrations (Na+, K+, Cl-, and Ca2+). Gene expression responses to salt stress in both tolerant and sensitive genotypes will be monitored using advanced molecular techniques, including microarray technology and quantitative RT-PCR. These innovations will enable breeders to develop improved wheat varieties, increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing resource efficiency, and ultimately bolstering national and global food security.

This is the call for submission for the Asabe Shehu Yaradua Foundation, United States.

The CFS-FFA (Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises) is a key tool for tackling food insecurity and malnutrition during extended crises like conflicts or disasters. Its 11 principles, including human rights, resilience, and nutrition, guide actions to protect livelihoods, ensure access to those in need, and improve aid coordination. Used in diverse crises, from war zones to disaster areas, it has fostered better collaboration, stronger community resilience, and improved nutrition. Yet, funding shortfalls and access barriers persist. Addressing these needs requires increased resources, stronger partnerships, and innovative solutions. In essence, the CFS-FFA provides a vital path toward a more food-secure world amidst protracted crises.

Cher partenaire,

Real People Concept (RPC) is pleased to submit this document as part of the call for submissions on the use and application of the CFS Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises (CFS-FFA). As an organization dedicated to enhancing livestock production and improving food security in Nigeria, RPC has implemented several initiatives aligned with the CFS-FFA principles. These initiatives focus on youth capacity building, breed improvement, sustainable livestock management, and conflict mitigation strategies, all aimed at fostering resilient and productive agricultural systems. This submission highlights our experiences, challenges, and successes in implementing the CFS-FFA framework to improve food security and livelihoods in Nigeria.

Women are the backbone of food production in many indigenous systems but are often marginalized in access to resources and decision-making processes. I am encouraged because I know that by applying the CFS-FFA principles, the project will be able to create a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient food system that would empower women and contribute to the broader goal of reducing hunger and poverty in Nigeria. 

The CFS Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises (CFS-FFA) provides guidance on addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in fragile contexts. Its application in Tanzania focuses on enhancing resilience, strengthening local food systems, and integrating climate-smart agricultural practices. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, TAMA has leveraged the framework to support vulnerable communities, particularly women and youth agripreneurs, by improving access to nutritious foods, financial services, and sustainable farming techniques. By aligning with national policies, the CFS-FFA fosters inclusive decision-making, risk mitigation, and long-term food security solutions in regions affected by environmental and economic instability.

Good morning, 
I congratulate you for your contributions, they are very interesting. 
I send you a reflection in relation to the issues with which we are working from Spain. I hope it will be of interest to you. 
Best regards

The rural world is closer than we think. 
If we open our fridge or our pantry, we find a wide variety of fresh foods that come from our fields. We talk about “farm to table” because that's the way it is. Farmers are able to produce excellent fresh produce thanks to the best plant material, together with the soil and climatic conditions of our land and an exquisite treatment of the land where it is produced, under the unquestionable framework of food safety. 
The process of obtaining fruits and vegetables is not immediate, it requires time, tenacity and care for several months, even years, depending on the type of crop in question. These Spanish products are part of the Mediterranean Diet, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010. This scenario does not only refer to the food itself, but encompasses a culture, an environmental, economic and social benefit in our rural world. 
It is important to know how the food we eat is produced. Our farmers do an extraordinary job, not only in food production, but as a rural population, they participate in the sustainability of the environment and the local economy. However, they need a generational replacement. 
Spain has an aging population: data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food show that only 16% of the total Spanish population lives in rural areas, i.e. some 7.5 million people are registered in 84% of Spain's geographical area. What does this figure mean? That we must strive to improve the quality of life of people living in rural areas, we must seek multidisciplinary strategies to maintain our origins and continue to produce the best food. 
One of the strategies focuses on young people, for this, we must convince them of the benefits of living in the countryside, providing them with quality education. In this context, STEM/STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art) are offered as current tools to make rural education attractive, providing valuable and exclusive educational resources, creating vocations capable of becoming professionals in the rural environment itself. 
The rural world offers us a healthier vision of our own professional activity. It is a key sector in the national economy.

PhD Cristina Lucini Baquero. 
Agricultural Engineer
Faculty of Sciences and Arts
Catholic University of Avila

Find the attached Responses in the Template attached.