@FAO Food loss and Food waste reduction workshop

Khartoum 5 November 2016

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS) of the Ministry of Agriculture in Sudan conducted a three-day workshop during 1 – 3 November in Khartoum, Sudan to promote the development of efficient and sustainable food systems with a particular focus on reducing food losses and waste (FLW). Resulting from the workshop, it was recommended to form a national Task Force for FLW Reduction in Sudan, housed within the FSTS and with representation across various ministries, private sector, civil society and international partners. Task Forces at state-level were also recommended.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an estimated 3.9 million people in Sudan are food insecure. At the same time, high levels of food are lost and wasted throughout the food system ever year, which impacts both food security and nutrition and the sustainability of food systems. FLW reduction is an important means to improving the availability, quality & affordability of food, mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring better use of natural resources throughout food systems. 

In light of these alarming challenges, the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS) of the Ministry of Agriculture in Sudan requested support from FAO in developing capacity and knowledge on FLW reduction as a pathway for improving food security.

This workshop was organized to bring awareness among 35 representatives of the FSTS and other stakeholders in the prevention and reduction of FLW, build capacity in the tools and methodologies for FLW estimation and value chain development, and commit to strategic action. The activity drew on FAO’s experience through the Global Initiative on Food Loss & Waste reduction, an initiative that leads collaboration and coordination in the global fight against FLW, as well as FAO’s activities in the Near East and North Africa region. The Regional Strategic Framework was endorsed by member countries and aims to reduce FLW by 50% over 10 years (2014-2024). This could be achieved through support for collection of data and generation of knowledge, promotion of awareness, enhancement of coordination, and private sector engagement.

Mr. Abdi Jama, FAO Representative in Sudan and Mr. Babiker Haj Hassan, Secretary General FSTS, opened the workshop by highlighting the problem of FLW and the need for better data and information, and a coordinated approach to tackling the issue.

During the workshop, Mr. Hamza Siror, Food Security Analyst presented a general overview of the cereal sector in the country and its direct impact on food security in Sudan. According to the Annual Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission 2015/2016, the national cereal production in 2015/2016 is estimated at 3.587 million tons. This estimate is 54.4% below the recorded harvest of the previous year (7.873 million tons). 

Robert Van Otterdijk, FAO, highlighted the importance of FLW reduction and the vast impact it has on food security, local and national economies, use of natural resources as well as the environment. Analytical tools, methodologies and frameworks for FLW assessment and solution-finding were presented. Jennifer Smolak, FAO, presented on food value chain analysis and the connected series of activities to produces, process, distribute and consume food.  

The National Task Force, housed within the FSTS, will aim to provide a coordinating body for FLW reduction activities in Sudan and will undertake to develop a strategy and action plan in coordination with relevant ministries, private sector actors, international organizations, and with continued support from FAO.

Sudan is a focus country in the Regional Initiative on Building Resilience for Food Security and Nutrition, one of whose five focus areas is promoting the development of efficient and sustainable food systems with a particular focus on reducing FLW.