Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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    • I would like to provide my response in two parts:

      Part 1 will address the structure of the report, while Part 2 will focus on Indigenous food practices in Afghanistan.

      Part 1: Report Structure

      This is a significant report with the potential to preserve valuable knowledge and traditions. I particularly appreciate the focus on rights-based policies and the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' ownership of their knowledge, including the application of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) principles. The inclusion of best practices for promoting cross-cultural understanding is also essential for its success. Compiling a report that highlights regional similarities in Indigenous food knowledge could serve as a powerful tool to foster unity and appreciation of shared traditions.

      Here are some additional ideas to consider for the report:

      • Visual Comparisons: Include side-by-side images or illustrations of similar dishes from different cultures to visually demonstrate the connections between food traditions.
      • Interactive Elements: Incorporate interactive features like quizzes or activities to engage readers and encourage exploration of diverse food practices.
      • Personal Stories: Add personal anecdotes from Indigenous communities to enrich the narrative and provide a human connection to the food traditions.
      • Historical Context: Explore the historical and cultural influences that have shaped similar food practices across different regions.
      • Health Outcomes: Consider including a section that examines the health outcomes associated with Indigenous food cultures. This could provide valuable insights into the relationship between traditional diets and health.

      Key points to consider in this section:

      • Health Benefits: While some Indigenous food practices may be linked to certain health challenges, it is important to highlight the numerous health benefits they offer, such as diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
      • Cultural Context: Health outcomes from Indigenous food practices are often influenced by social determinants of health, access to healthcare, and environmental factors. These elements should be considered when analyzing health data.
      • Globalization and Modernization: The introduction of processed foods and other modern influences can impact Indigenous food traditions and contribute to changes in health outcomes, such as rising obesity rates.

      Possible subtopics:

      • Traditional Diets and Nutrition: A nutritional analysis of traditional foods and their health benefits.
      • Health Challenges: A discussion of common health issues related to Indigenous diets, such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
      • Impact of Globalization: How modern influences have changed food practices and health outcomes in Indigenous communities.
      • Health Promotion Strategies: Initiatives for promoting healthier eating habits while addressing emerging health challenges.

      In response to question 5, I think to effectively document and reference the oral knowledge and traditions of Indigenous food practices, I would suggest using a creative and engaging approach, such as turning the information-gathering process into a competition. For example, in the case of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, each region could be encouraged to showcase its unique food traditions through a YouTube channel or similar platform. By framing it as a competition, provinces could share their best dishes, cultural stories, and food preparation methods, which would not only promote community engagement but also generate a wealth of freely provided information.

      A panel of experts or culturally knowledgeable individuals could then assess and score these submissions based on criteria such as authenticity, presentation, and storytelling. This approach has the dual benefit of preserving traditional knowledge and motivating widespread participation.

      Once this information is collected, the report could compile and document these food practices, using the videos as primary sources. The multimedia content could be referenced within the report as part of the documentation process, preserving both the visual and oral aspects of these traditions. Additionally, transcripts and detailed descriptions of the food practices could be included in the report, ensuring that the information is both accessible and easily referenced in future research or policy work.

      Part 2: Indigenous Food Practices in Afghanistan

      Afghanistan, with its rich cultural heritage, has a wide range of Indigenous food practices deeply rooted in its history, geography, and social customs. These practices are essential to the country’s cultural identity.

      Key Characteristics of Indigenous Afghan Food Practices:

      • Regional Variations: Due to Afghanistan's diverse geography, there are notable differences in food practices across regions. For example, people in mountainous areas may have different dietary habits than those in the plains.
      • Seasonal Influences: Afghan cuisine is highly seasonal, reflecting the availability of locally grown produce throughout the year.
      • Hospitality: In Afghan culture, sharing food is central to social life, and hospitality is a deeply valued tradition.
      • Religious Influences: Islamic dietary laws, such as halal practices, play a significant role in shaping Afghan food traditions.

      Popular Afghan Dishes:

      • Kabuli Pulao: A national dish made of rice, lamb, carrots, raisins, and almonds.
      • Shorba: A hearty meat and vegetable soup.
      • Ashak: Dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, served with a yogurt-based sauce.
      • Bolani: Savory pancakes stuffed with spinach, potatoes, or meat.
      • Qorma: A stew made with meat, vegetables, and gravy.

      Challenges Facing Indigenous Food Practices:

      • Globalization: The growing influence of Western food culture threatens the preservation of traditional Afghan food practices.
      • Conflict and Displacement: Ongoing conflicts have disrupted food production and distribution, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition.
      • Loss of Traditional Knowledge: As younger generations embrace modern lifestyles, traditional food knowledge and skills risk being lost.

      Efforts to Preserve Indigenous Food Practices:

      • Community Initiatives: Communities are taking steps to preserve their food heritage through cooking classes, food festivals, and documentation of recipes.
      • Government Support: The Afghan government is promoting sustainable agriculture and food production as part of efforts to preserve Indigenous food practices.
      • International Organizations: International partners are working with Afghan communities to ensure food security and promote sustainable food systems.

      Despite the challenges, Indigenous food practices in Afghanistan remain a vital part of the country's cultural heritage, contributing to the unique identity of the Afghan people.

    • In the context of Afghanistan, I think FAO can help the country in various ways through its Science and Innovation Strategy. Here are few areas that it can focus: 

      1. Agricultural Research and Development: FAO can support Afghanistan in conducting research to develop high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties suitable for local conditions. This includes investing in the development of drought-resistant seeds, pest-resistant crops, and crops with improved nutritional content.
      2. Capacity Building: FAO can facilitate training programs and workshops to build the capacity of Afghan farmers, extension workers, and policymakers in modern agricultural techniques, including sustainable farming practices, water management, and post-harvest handling.
      3. Agriculture higher education: FAO can and should help in building agriculture educational institutions for long term and sustainable results not only in food security but in forest, environment, wildlife, livestock and fishery sector as well. 
      4. Technology Adoption: FAO can assist Afghanistan in adopting innovative technologies such as precision agriculture, drip irrigation systems, and mobile applications for weather forecasting and market information. These technologies can help increase agricultural productivity and improve resource efficiency.
      5. Infrastructure Development: FAO can support the development of agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks. Improving infrastructure can help reduce post-harvest losses, increase market access for farmers, and enhance overall food security.
      6. Value Chain Enhancement: FAO can work with Afghan stakeholders to strengthen agricultural value chains, from production to consumption. This includes promoting agro-processing activities, improving market linkages, and facilitating access to credit and market information for smallholder farmers.
      7. Focus on producing less policy documents, act more. FAO and several other UN agencies generated a lot of documents. Most of them under dust and shelves here and there in different countries. I think it is time to work, we have enough evidence of issues in various countries. 

    • Dear Moderators,

      Thank you for reaching out and providing an opportunity to contribute to the call for submissions on enhancing FAO's support in addressing governance of agrifood systems transformation. Drawing upon my experience as a former P-level FAO employee, I would like to present a set of recommendations aimed at optimizing FAO's impact and effectiveness in promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience within agrifood systems.

      1. Cost Optimization for International Staff and Consultants:
        • Consider cost-cutting measures on international staff and consultants to allocate resources more efficiently, redirecting funds towards impactful initiatives.
      2. Strategic Approach to Studies and Reports:
        • Prioritize the creation of reports that add substantial value, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes rather than generating unnecessary documentation.
      3. Efficient Use of Resources for Meetings and Conferences:
        • Streamline the organization of meetings and conferences to reduce costs while maintaining the essential exchange of knowledge and collaboration.
      4. Long-Term Investments in Agriculture:
        • Advocate for increased investments in agricultural higher education and the development of robust irrigation systems to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
      5. Harnessing Technology for Agricultural Advancements:
        • Promote the adoption of technology to revolutionize production processes, enhance yield, minimize losses, and improve overall agricultural quality.
      6. Balancing Project Implementation with Core Functions:
        • Emphasize a balanced approach to project implementation, ensuring that FAO remains focused on its core mission as a global leader in agriculture rather than becoming solely a project implementation entity.
      7. Transparent Hiring Processes:
        • Enhance transparency in the recruitment process to maintain FAO's reputation as a technical agency and avoid politicization.
      8. Addressing Language Barriers:
        • Advocate for a more inclusive approach by addressing language barriers in UN recruitment to ensure broader representation and accessibility.
      9. Strategic Spending Priorities:
        • Review spending priorities, redirecting resources towards initiatives directly contributing to food production, availability, and utilization, while maintaining a judicious approach to topics like gender studies and environmental sustainability.
      10. FAO Leadership in Agriculture:
        • Reinforce FAO's role as the preeminent leader in global agriculture, collaborating with other UN agencies to optimize their areas of expertise and allowing FAO to take the lead in agricultural and food security matters.

      These recommendations aim to enhance FAO's efficiency, focus, and impact, ultimately contributing to the organization's mission of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems globally.

      Thank you for considering these suggestions, and I look forward to the continued success of FAO's initiatives.

      Best regards, 

      Sayed M Naim Khalid Independent Food System/FSQA Consultant