Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

The next few decades will witness a rapidly increasing demand for agricultural products. This growing demand needs to be met largely through intensification (produce more from the same land surface) because there is little scope for an increase in agricultural area. Ecological intensification - the optimization of all provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services in the agricultural production process - has been proposed as a promising solution. The aim of this discussion is to foster a dialogue on emerging knowledge from research on ecological intensification.

In many countries, agricultural development has traditionally focused on raising productivity and maximizing production of cereals, making it difficult for people to access foods that are richer in protein and minerals, such as milk, meat, fish, eggs, beans, vegetables, and fruits, which are often more expensive than cereals. The lack of nutrition training of agricultural workers is acknowledged globally as a significant barrier to combating malnutrition through agriculture and food systems.

Honeybees provide a wide range of benefits to humans from honey, other bee products, pollination of food crops and ecological services. Beekeeping is practiced around the world, and can provide a valuable source of income to people in developing regions with relatively little investment. However, apiculture faces a number of challenges that can impact on the health and survival of the colony. What can we do to create sustainable conditions for agriculture and apiculture to coexist and to benefit from each other?

The goal of this consultation is to identify potential ideas of innovations in agriculture that could promote better nutrition.

The purpose of this cross-regional online discussion is to offer stakeholders an opportunity to share their experience, knowledge and regional good practices on strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems in the Central Asia and Caucasus (CAC) countries and China. The outcomes of the online-discussions will feed into face-to-face consultation on the Roadmap to enhance Rural Advisory Service systems in CAC countries and China to be organized as a side event at the 6^th Annual Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services.

FAO and UNEP are jointly developing a programme on sustainable food systems under the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP). As part of this process, a public consultation is being organized in order to take stock of relevant information on initiatives, collect comments of a draft concpt note and collect expressions of interest of entities to participate in the Programme.

Broadcast media play a big role in disseminating information about innovations in agricultural technologies and practices while seeking to engage farmers and stakeholders in interactive discussions. John Cheburet, Kenyan journalist-producer of 'The Organic Farmer' and award winner of an Africa-wide scriptwriting competition on smallholder farmer innovation invites Forum members to discuss the nature of the relationship between broadcast media (in particular radio), extension workers and farmers.