Food system transformation is required to achieve SDG 2 (end hunger and all forms of malnutrition) and 6 (clean water and sanitation for all). While traditionally siloed in academic and policy arenas, food and water are inextricably linked. Water creates an enabling environment for optimal nutrition and is an essential resource in all aspects of food production, transformation and preparation, including optimal sanitation and hygiene practices as well as for food intake and normal physiological function. Yet 30 percent of the world's population lives in water-stressed environments and millions more are expected to experience water issues due to climate change. As such, there is an urgent need to develop a multi-sectoral strategy that will assist farmers in the sustainable production of drought-tolerant crops that deliver maximal nutritional and economic value per drop of water used. 

To identify needs and potential solutions, this side event at the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 will share lessons from the ongoing Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture Water Productivity Project being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Benin, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Jordan and Egypt. The event will strengthen the links between the water, agriculture and nutrition communities.

Register Here >>>

________________________________________

AGENDA, 2 December 2021, 14:00-15:30 (CET)

14:00 - 14:05

Opening, objectives and expected outcomes 

Moderator, Jennie Barron, Professor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and CGIAR WLE

14:05 - 14:15

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Water for food security, nutrition and hygiene under climate crisis

Sasha Koo-Oshima, Deputy Director, Land and Water Division, FAO 

14:15 - 14:25

FAO Nutrition Strategy and the SDGs

Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Division, FAO 

14:25 - 15:15

Interactive panel discussion facilitated by the moderator, focusing on entry points for nutrition in agricultural water and soil management based on lessons from the field 

Panelists: 

• Antonella Cordone, Senior Technical Specialist, Nutrition, IFAD
• Celmira Da Silva, Director, National Secretariat of Food Security and Nutrition, Mozambique
• Armel Mensah, Senior Research Officer, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB), Benin
• Boureima Boubacar, Program Manager, Directorate of Studies and Project Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Niger
• Olivier Ndayitegeye, Senior Scientist, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Rwanda
• Paulo Dias, Project Manager, Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture Water Productivity, FAO Land and Water Division

15:15 - 15:25

Q&A

Moderator, Jennie Barron

15:25 - 15:30

Wrap up and closing remarks 

Claudia Ringler, Deputy Division Director, International Food Research Institute (IFPRI), US