Diversified food production and diet: The challenges of transition to more sustainable agrifood systems

Global food production per inhabitant has increased continuously for several years, and now exceeds nutritional requirements. Agrifood systems are under several simultaneous threats, resulting in multiple crises related either to keeping food imports at levels ensuring food security, or to maintaining production systems highly dependent on inputs and energy. Unsustainable production systems and changes in land-use are both threatening biodiversity and affecting production diversity and nutritional quality.  At the same time, increased consumption of energy-dense foodstuffs reduces food diversity and leads to malnutrition.  This is why, in 2021, the EU, FAO and CIRAD initiated Food Systems Assessments (FSA) in 50 countries to explore in a systematic and holistic way the current challenges faced by agrifood systems.  On the occasion of the 50th session of the Committee on World Food Security, CIRAD, FAO and the European Union are organizing a side event to discuss:

• obstacles to the re-diversification of food and production systems, notably in historically export oriented regions;  
• diversified production systems but lack of diversity of diets due to affordability of nutritious food; and 
• agrifood systems strongly shaped by mono-cropping in staple food and diversified agrifood systems rooted in indigenous regimes.  

Programme 

Side event led by James Tefft, senior economist, FAO Investment Centre
13:30 Welcoming and opening statements

• James Tefft, senior economist, FAO Investment Centre
• Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit, Sustainable agrifood systems and fisheries, European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships

13:36 Poll questions and presentation of FAO and CIRAD results on Food Systems Assessment (FSA)
13:50 Panel discussion

• Elizabeth Nsimadala, agripreneur, president of Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
•  Watson Puiahi, founder and director, ILukim Sustainability Solomon Islands
•  Julian May, Director,  NRF-DST Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
•  Francess Piagie Alghali, Minister of State, Office of the Vice President, Sierra Leone

14:15 Questions and answers
14:38 Closing remarks and implications for achieving SDG2
SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Paul Newnham, Director
14:42 Moderator Closing