Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), writes that ‘tackling postharvest losses is not rocket science’, but does require the coordinated effort of many actors. The WFP addresses postharvest loss under its ‘Purchase for Progress’ pilot capacity-building and training program, currently working in 20 countries. http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/improving-global-food-security-r-analysis-528272
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RSS feed for this sectionGlobal Food Market Far Improved From Crisis Years
The FAO reports that though rising, food prices this year are not peaking, much unlike in 2008 and 2011 when high volatility led to unrest and rioting. FAO says the lack of financial speculators is helping to moderate prices. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/global-food-market-far-improved-from-crisis-years/article12036490/?cmpid=rss1
Commentary – Prioritizing Reduction of Food Losses and Waste for Food Security
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs released the report, ‘Advancing Global Food Security: The Power of Science, Trade, and Business’, at their recent symposium in Washington, D.C. The report sites reducing loss as an essential element to sustainable intensification of agriculture. The Council also covered postharvest loss in a commentary piece leading up to the event. http://globalfoodforthought.typepad.com/global-food-for-thought/2013/05/commentary-prioritizing-reduction-of-food-losses-and-waste-for-food-security.html?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuqTOc%2B%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsZnNa%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
High Level Consultation (HLC) on Hunger, Food Security and Nutrition in the Post 2015 Development Framework: Joint Chairs and co-Leads Synthesis Report
The High Level Consultation on Hunger, Food Security, and Nutrition in the Post 2015 Development Framework published a vision report on how to sustainably end hunger, insecurity, and malnutrition by 2025. Their pathway outline includes three main components: 1) sustainable and resilient food production and consumption, 2) good nutrition for all, and 3) agents of transformation. http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/post2015/sites/post2015/files/files/Synthesis%20document%204th%20April.pdf
Freezing the Footprint of Food
The World Wildlife Fund listed reducing food loss and waste in the food chain as the first step to ‘freezing the footprint of food’, or producing twice as much food with the same amount of resources. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jason-clay/population-growth-food_b_3280807.html
Feeding 9 Billion: What Research Do we Prioritize to Find Solutions?
Cross-sector representatives met in April for the first Food Security Futures Conference. Participants discussed how to accomplish the wide array of food security goals on the international agenda, and agreed that public and private research is essential. The conference produced a list of priorities, one being to develop better metrics for evaluating food systems. http://www.ifpri.org/blog/feeding-9-billion-what-research-do-we-prioritize-find-solutions
DuPont Value Chains Roundtable
In April experts discussed the role of the private sector in global agricultural value chains as part of the Dupont Agricultural Development Roundtable Series hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute. The discussion can be viewed here. http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/improving-global-food-security-r-analysis-528272
National Action against Hunger Crucial in Post-2015 World
At a high-level meeting on the post-2015 MDG strategy, FAO Director-General Graziano de Silva stated that national leadership from governments is crucial in assuring that food systems are “more efficient and equitable”. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/04/05/national-action-against-hunger-crucial-in-post-2015-world-fao/
United Nations Committed to a World of Zero Hunger
The United Nations Regional Commissions and the Food and Agriculture Organization signed a Cooperation Framework to strengthen their commitment towards ending global hunger. One focus area is agricultural value chain development. http://www.unescap.org/news/united-nations-committed-world-zero-hunger
CGIAR Research Program Lists “Big Facts” about Food Waste
The CGIAR Research Program offers a compiled report of the most authoritative research on agriculture and climate change. The report lists “big facts”, visuals, and graphics on various topics, including food waste. http://ccafs.cgiar.org/bigfacts/food-waste/