On November 3, within the context of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, WFO President Theo de Jager joined the event “Accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement through innovative climate-resilient agri-food systems“, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The event aimed to showcase the importance of technological innovation at all levels for achieving climate-resilient agri-food systems that provide affordable and healthy diets for all, tackle climate change, increase resilience for the most vulnerable, and revert loss of nature and biodiversity.
Moderated by Zitouni Ould-Dada, FAO, the panel discussion featured the participation of Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General, Jyotsna Puri, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), David Nabarro, 4SD, Tomas Duncan Jurado, Permanent Representative of Panama to FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP), and IFAD, Ezgi Barcenas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Torgny Holmgren, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and Eduardo Mansur, FAO.
WFO President reminded participants that digitalisation and industrialisation have “made the world very small for farmers” by increasing competition. As agriculture plays a crucial role in the food systems, the key is to ensure that “innovation improve farmers’ work and make it efficient“. He argued that, in rethinking food systems, farmers must “take the ownership of the transformation which is needed“. He also explained that innovation in food systems is not only “the tool in hand,” but rather the system to make sure that food arrives to hungry people. He said enough food is already produced to feed the world’s population.
Watch the event recording HERE