Наталья Демина’s Post

Celebrating the International Day of the Potato: A Staple Crop with a Sustainable Future On 30 May 2024, Europatat joined the global celebration of the first International Day of the Potato, designated by the United Nations and FAO under the theme “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope”. For one week, Europatat ran an online campaign titled “7 Days, 7 Potato Facts” to highlight this significant milestone and promote the vital role of potatoes in enhancing EU agriculture, economy, livelihoods, and nutrition. Potatoes are more than just a staple food; they are a cornerstone for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include zero hunger, sustainable agriculture, and fostering economic opportunities, as the potato industry provides significant employment and promotes sustainable economic growth along its value chain. The Potato: A Crop of Global Importance The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the world’s fourth most important food crop after maize, wheat, and rice, with global production exceeding 370 million tonnes annually. In the European Union, potatoes play a crucial role in agriculture, being the third most important crop. The EU produces about 52 milli... https://lnkd.in/eM2w_t2V

🚨 New EP study shows EU's worrying dependence on soya and fertiliser imports. 🚨 The study was commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and points out that the EU is only 8% self-sufficient in soya and is therefore highly dependent on imports. ❗ ➡️ The study recommends a multi-faceted approach which is aligned with the Farm2Fork strategy and aimed at contributing to the EU's self-sufficiency in inputs by 2030 through a reduction in nutrient losses, which in turn should lead to a reduction in fertiliser use, a 25% target for organic farming, the development of alternative protein sources for animal feed, the promotion of the bio-economy and shorter supply chains. To effectively implement these strategies, a focus on three key points is needed: · Support of cultivation: Implementation via policies like the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can provide crucial backing, with Member States granted the flexibility to offer increased support for protein crops. 🌱 · Research and innovation: Investment is essential for identifying and developing alternative protein sources, enhancing farming techniques, and advancing sustainable agricultural practices to achieve the outlined goals. 🔬 · Consumption: Emphasising sustainable consumption practices, particularly by reducing reliance on animal products and favouring sustainably produced goods, will play a pivotal role in diminishing the EU's reliance on external inputs. 🍽️ 🌿 Donau Soja welcomes these recommendations, which underline the need for a robust EU/European Protein Strategy that takes all these points into account and supports them with concrete measures and funding. Our work at Donau Soja focuses on securing a safe and sustainable protein supply for Europe and according to our estimates, a self-sufficiency rate of up to 50% is possible in Europe. Our Protein Strategy for Europe describes the path to this goal based on 5 pillars – very similar to the study recommendations. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e7jRZzRw 🔗 📈 We also advocate for policy integration to promote sustainability and self-sufficiency in the EU food system. It's time for a holistic approach to ensure a resilient and sustainable food future! 🌍 #DonauSoja #EuropeSoya #Study #Soya #Soy #Soybean #Imports #EU #Agriculture #Sustainability #SustainableAgriculture #ProteinTransition #ProteinStrategy

Innovative tools to boost undervalued nutritious foods across Asia-Pacific 19/02/2024 Colombo, Sri Lanka: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the sidelines of the 37th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. The agreement will leverage the innovative Geographical Indications, Environment & Sustainability (GIES) methodology developed by IGSNRR-CAS to “energize implementation” of the FAO flagship One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in the Asia and Pacific region. For more details, please see: 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific: https://lnkd.in/df5_NQV8 OCOP Global Website: https://lnkd.in/d5zhCh55 Regional Knowledge Platform on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) in Asia and the Pacific: https://lnkd.in/dhNvbzn6 #OCOP #FAO #1Country1Product #innovation #Science #SustianableAgriculture #PlantProduction #PlantProtection

How will extreme weather across Europe impact food security and supply chains for companies like Nestlé? Kumar Amit, Senior Commodity Specialist at The Smart Cube, advises businesses to monitor these changes closely. Nestlé is investing in regenerative agricultural methods, committing over $1.17bn to its Nescafé Plan 2030 to ensure crop resilience. #FoodSecurity #Agriculture #ClimateChange

If we start eating more plant-based foods, how will this affect the UK's farmers and growers? Quite rightly, this is one of the most common questions that I get asked. One crucial part of the answer is that people working the land can - and must - benefit from a transition towards plant-based meat and dairy. At the Good Food Institute Europe, we're continuing our work to explore this question. It's why we commissioned the fantastic Green Alliance team to analyse how alternative proteins might release land to make more space for agroecology and nature restoration. (You can read their report here: https://lnkd.in/edPpyFp2) We've also been speaking with businesses to understand how some farmers are already finding new opportunities afforded by plant-based foods - as well as the barriers that hold them back. One roadblock we often hear about is crop processing infrastructure - the tools needed to turn crops into ingredients for plant-based meat. Frustratingly, the UK has a real lack of these facilities, which is limiting the ability for farmers and growers to seize new business opportunities. In my view, that's something the state is well-placed to address. Read more in a new piece for GFI Europe's website 👇 https://lnkd.in/e357aXk9

In a world grappling with the dual challenges of population growth and environmental sustainability, food security remains a critical concern. As we look toward feeding a projected global population of 9.7 billion by 2050, the question of how to do so sustainably, in the face of climate change and diminishing natural resources, is ever-pressing. Organic farming presents itself as a sustainable solution that aligns with environmental, economic, and social goals. More than a method of agriculture, it is a commitment to our planet's health and the well-being of future generations. Organic farming relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions, avoiding synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and growth hormones. This approach aligns closely with nature's way of producing food, ensuring a balanced ecosystem and a sustainable food supply. The importance of organic farming extends across various facets of food security. It enhances food sovereignty by reducing dependency on agrochemical inputs; it supports biodiversity, which is crucial for resilient crop production; and it improves soil health, thereby sustainably increasing land productivity. Delving into the mechanics and benefits of organic farming reveals its potential to not only sustain but significantly enhance global food security. As professionals committed to sustainable development, we recognise the value of organic farming in our collective quest for food security. Explore more on how organic farming can create food security from our website. (link in the comments) #ambokilifarm #organicfarm #OrganicFarming #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #agriculture #farming #healthyfood #health #sustainability #foodandnutrition #kimana #kajiadocounty #kenya #global

Last Wednesday, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture launched its report, outlining a vision for sustainable and resilient farming and food systems in the region. The report is the result of collaboration between 29 key stakeholders from European agriculture, civil society, and academia, including the European Food Banks Federation - FEBA , represented by its Honorary President Jacques Vandenschrik. Some key highlights from the report include: ✔ The promotion of a zero-waste future by improving the management of food surpluses and reducing food waste. ✔ Support to agroecological and organic farming to reduce environmental harm and boost biodiversity, while encouraging urban farming for sustainable food production. ✔ A call for a shift toward more plant-based diets to create healthier and more sustainable food systems. ✔ A call to strengthening farmers’ positions in the food chain, ensuring they receive fair incomes and support. ✔ Focus on balanced diets and improved food labeling to enhance public health and lower healthcare costs. ✔ Support to young farmers, the improvement rural infrastructure, and promotion of sustainable animal farming. ✔ The urgent need to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, all of which are placing increased pressure on European agriculture. If embraced fully, this report has the potential to pave the way for a future where sustainable and competitive food systems can thrive across Europe, balancing economic, environmental, and social needs for generations to come! Read the full report here: https://shorturl.at/Cks3H Read the press release by the European Food Banks Federation - FEBA here: https://shorturl.at/5DTQw

❗ #InternationalDayOfPotato: Do you know what a seed potato is, and why seed potato certification matters? And did you know that United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has a standard for seed potatoes?   Potatoes are the 3rd most traded vegetable in the world and the pillar of global #FoodSecurity and sustainable #agriculture.   The quality of seed potatoes is critical for a good harvest. UNECE hosts the only international standard for seed potatoes, ensuring high quality for both producers and buyers.   First adopted in 1963, the UNECE standard defines harmonized quality requirements for seed potatoes and creates a harmonized quality certification system. In that way it helps to improve the quality of planting material and facilitate international #trade in seed potatoes, as well as to reduce #foodloss and waste. 🔎 https://lnkd.in/dNJZCUrm Music credit: Spiring - Nostalgy  Finnish Food Authority | Ruokavirasto | Livsmedelsverket Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority Hanna Kortemaa Nina Zidack SEMAE Nederlandse Algemene Keuringsdienst Swedish Board of Agriculture Potatoes New Zealand Agroscope Tatiana Molcean Dmitry Mariyasin Elisabeth Türk Marit Nilses Roksolana Melancia Temirlan Nurmoldayev FAO United Nations Office at Geneva UN Sustainable Development Group

FAO and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Partnership for the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative. The joint Partnership will play a pivotal role leading efforts to coordinate, grow, and strengthen the VACS movement across a wide range of public and private stakeholders.    "By joining forces with the CGIAR and CIMMYT, we bring together our collective capacities to build a strong momentum and platform to advance the VACS," said FAO’s Director-General QU Dongyu. "VACS effectively brings together the Four Betters set out in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind."   “Our 2030 Strategy focuses on strengthening agrifood systems to increase nutritional value and climate resilience,” said CIMMYT’s Director General, Bram Govaerts. “We are proud to stand united, through VACS, with FAO, whose excellent track record on policy work and networking with national governments will help equip farmers with resilient seed and climate-smart cropping systems that regenerate, rather than degrade, the soils on which their diets and livelihoods depend.”   Launched in 2023 by the USDA in partnership with the African Union and FAO, the VACS movement aims to build sustainable and resilient agrifood systems by leveraging opportunity crops and building healthy soils to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change and improve diets. Nutrient-rich and traditional crops like sorghum, millet, cowpea, and mung bean are vital for food security and nutrition under climate change but have seen little attention so far. VACS recognizes the interdependence of crops and soils: Crops need good soil to be productive, and different crops can only be sustainably grown on some types of land.    https://lnkd.in/dFV9B6Y3   #BlackSoils #SoilHealth #HealthySoils

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gErRi9f5 The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 is witnessing substantial growth, driven by the increasing need to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security. As essential components in modern farming, agrochemicals play a pivotal role in protecting crops and boosting yields. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: There's a growing demand for eco-friendly and bio-based agrochemicals as farmers and consumers become more environmentally conscious. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Innovations in precision farming and smart agriculture are driving the use of more efficient and targeted agrochemical applications. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱: Rising global population and the subsequent increase in food demand are pushing the need for effective crop protection and nutrition solutions. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: The Asia-Pacific region is leading the market growth due to its large agricultural base and rising demand for high-quality food products. North America and Europe are also showing significant demand, driven by advanced farming practices and technological innovations. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀:: Essential for protecting crops from pests and diseases, ensuring healthy and abundant yields. 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀: Crucial for providing essential nutrients to crops, enhancing growth and productivity. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀:  Key for controlling weeds that compete with crops for nutrients, light, and space. 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀: Important for preventing and controlling fungal diseases that can devastate crop yields. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: https://lnkd.in/gW6zruUq Companies like Syngenta , UPL, Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, others are investing in research and development of innovative, eco-friendly agrochemicals are set to drive the market forward. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the agrochemicals market! #Agrochemicals #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #MarketTrends #Innovation #CropProtection #Agriculture