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Fair competitiveness and the market - when small gets big and big becomes small: 1. educating the public on food production at all stages of the chain; 2. the same conditions in international trade, both in terms of financial support and in terms of restrictions.

Food safety and traceability: solutions for sustainability: 1. education of consumers: to have information about product from the very beginning to the plate; 2. a common understanding of the objectives of the policy, surveillance, production, consumption; 3. a rapid process of safety and traceability checks.

Results of the discussion of politicians: 1. changes in the education system to provide basis for new production systems; 2. promoting healthy food consumption; 3. sustainable agricultural production systems: transition to environmentally friendly methods with appropriate transition and financial support.

Public Discussion: 1. to close supermarkets on Sundays; 2. higher VAT on products of animal origin and lower VAT for bio-products; 3. each citizen should start by at least one change in his/her own food consumption pattern, e.g. one missed meal per week; 4. a common food policy across agriculture, environment and health - the food system is a complex issue; 5. environmental impact needs to be improved; 6. the use of fertilizers and pesticides must be significantly reduced; 7. improve the quality of products, meaning healthier ingredients, ecologically sustainable; Online survey results showed ... Read morethat the majority of respondents had voted for the need to transform the Latvian food system (74%) (i.e. to lower the impact on the environmental 33%, health concerns 20%, and significant reduction of mineral fertilizers and pesticides 21%). On the other hand, 5% were of an opinion that everything is well and that it is still safe to continue production without thinking about the environment, but more profit is needed. Read less

Resilient Rural areas and Food systems for future generations was the focus of this National dialogue, first of this kind in the history. President of the Republic of Latvia H.E. Mr. Egils Levits in his opening speech emphasized that: • Over the past decades Latvia has successfully transformed itself into a food exporter country. We have integrated into the global food production chain. • The latest UN calculations show that nearly 700 million people or 9% of the world population still live in hunger, while 2 billion people or 25% do not have regular access to safe and healthy food. • Bi... Read moreological diversity continues to decrease. Pesticides are still harming nature, reducing its diversity, accumulating inside living organisms and entering the food chain, as well as the human body. • Agriculture is one of the sectors contributing most, in the medium-term, to humanity threatening climate change, the adverse effects of which can already be seen today and the grave consequences expected by the end of this century. • People’s diets throughout the world are becoming increasingly unvaried. It means that we receive less nutrients, thus harming our health. There are three levels of issues: 1. Farm structure Over the last 10 years the number of large and wealthy farms in Latvia has increased, as has the area of land they cultivate, however, they still constitute only a small portion of the total number of farms in Latvia, employing the smallest portion of agricultural workers. Only 3% of economically active farms produce more than 100 000 EUR in goods. In turn, medium, small and micro farms, which constitute 90% of the total, employ 76% of the total workforce in agriculture. Over the last three decades Latvia has undergone two major agricultural reforms. The first one was in the second half of the 1990s, when Soviet kolkhozes and sovkhozes were liquidated and land was restored to its former owners. The second reform occurred rapidly since Latvia's accession to the European Union in line with the European Union policy which started in the mid-1990s. It has been a turning point towards economic efficiency, industrialisation, product unification and monopolisation. Is this the agricultural structure that our society really wants? Is this something to just be taken as a given or do we, in fact, have more or less power over it to drive it one way or another? Is the current structure and the policy supporting it truly the best choice for Latvia and its countryside? This really calls for an in-depth public discussion going beyond just a conversation among stakeholders. 2. Effects of agriculture on the environment Harmful effects of agriculture on the environment are constantly being reduced. But the rate at which this is being done is too slow. We will have to radically alter our agricultural practices in order to continue to receive EU subsidies, maintain competitiveness on the EU single market or even just continue to work in agriculture. Obviously a major role here will fall to organic farming. In order to increase its role, technological innovations, as well as new skills and shifts in consumer preferences will be needed. 3. Social and cultural dimension of agriculture and rural areas It is an issue of what we want our countryside, our agriculture to look like. It is an issue of the Latvian identity, which is rooted in our countryside. It is an issue of lifestyle. It is an issue of farmers as the upholders of a special lifestyle. But what is a farmer today? Is it an agricultural company, its shareholders, managers, workers — are they all farmers? What the so-called genuine farmer? One new trend in the development of the countryside as a cultural space has occurred lately, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The attractiveness of the countryside as a living space has increased for city-dwellers and also new families. This could, possibly, lead to a rapid increase of the number of people living in rural areas, maybe even on small farms, but not engaging in agriculture. Read less

These are the main findings on which the majority of participants had a broad agreement: 1. Changes in the behavior of the society and individuals have high potential in transforming the food systems. 2. Minister of Agriculture Mr. Kaspars Gerhards in his concluding remarks emphasized that the national dialogue will be continued. Holistic and multidisciplinary approach with well-developed dialogue methodology will facilitate the future work.

Fair and transparent cooperation at all stages of food supply chains in order to ensure the long-term resilience of all actors: 1. ensuring traceability of food: full information available to the consumer on the cultivation, production, logistics, storage, marketing of the product; 2. ensuring fair competition, including in public procurement; 3. professionalism in smart and evidence-based decision-making.

Environmentally friendly and responsible practices in food product production: 1. educating the public and raising awareness of food production; 2. educating all parts of the food chain, especially farmers via vocational, higher and life-long education; 3. mobilizing farmers to change policies; 4. financial support for organic farming, i.a. support to start-up for young families to set-up small and average size farms.

Meaningful and sustainable use of agricultural land for food production and the maintenance of a diverse rural livelihood 1. at least 85% of household should consume healthy locally produced food; 2. maintaining the balance of interests (population, farmers, environment) in land use; 3. educated and motivated farmers, processors, consumers; 4. financing system to finance sustainable business solutions; 5. decisions are made from the holistic point of view;

Promoting the development of food producers for local and foreign markets 1. strengthening cooperation among producers and between producers and consumers, cooperatives; 2. understandable and focused financial support based on clear national strategy; 3. education and promotion; Do it step by step! If everyone of us would eat just locally produced food every Saturday it would be already a good start.

Responsible consumer for the environment and food to ensure resilience at all stages of the food chain 1. to become smarter consumer and to reduce overconsumption: educating professionals; listening to youth, their needs and views; 2. reduction of food waste: identifying food waste in catering and households, data-based household planning; 3. reduce the amount of food packaging using it only to the extent necessary for food safety. Start with yourself as an example: replace bottled water on the table with water in carafe.

Selon la typologie des modèles alimentaires, les modèles domestique, de proximité, et celui de commodités sont les plus répandus au Bénin. Le modèle agro-industriel et celui de qualité différenciée sont certes présents et adoptés par les nouveaux entrepreneurs du secteur agro-alimentaire, mais sont peu développés.

Plusieurs facteurs en rapport avec la production des aliments mais aussi les comportements des consommateurs et les pratiques culturelles et cultuelles influencent le système alimentaire au Bénin. Ces facteurs ont connu quelques changements au cours des dix à vingt dernières années. Le secteur agricole est le plus déterminant du système alimentaire. Les évolutions récentes au niveau de la configuration des acteurs du système alimentaire au Bénin concernent l’amélioration du degré d’organisation des acteurs des filières agricoles qui se constituent progressivement en coopérat... Read moreives, en association par corporation professionnelle mais aussi en interprofessions à l’échelle nationale. Read less

Plusieurs situations affectent négativement l’environnement du système; il s’agit entre autre du faible pouvoir d’achat de la majorité des consommateurs face à des prix élevés des produits locaux, de l’insuffisance des infrastructures marchandes (magasins de stockage, places de marchés animés, etc.) et des industries de transformation occasionnant des pertes post-récoltes, de la faible connaissance des consommateurs de l’alimentation équilibrée, de la prolifération de la vente d’aliments dans des conditions précaires. Au cours des vingt dernières années, quelques ava... Read morencées positives et négatives sont notées par rapport à l’environnement du système alimentaire. Le changement positif important est l’amélioration de qualité des produits issus de la transformation. Quant aux changements négatifs ce sont l’augmentation des prix des produits alimentaires locaux, la baisse des rendements due au changement climatique, la non amélioration de la sécurité sanitaire, la mauvaise pratique d’hygiène alimentaire, etc. Globalement le choix des aliments par les consommateurs est fonction des prix, des goûts, de la disponibilité à proximité, des habitudes culturelles, religieuses et de l’état de santé. Read less

Les points de divergences sont divers selon les thématiques abordées. Les agriculteurs et les éleveurs n’avaient pas eu les mêmes points de vue sur la gestion des couloirs de passage des animaux qui occasionnent annuellement des conflits. Les consommateurs et les producteurs n’ont pas les mêmes perceptions de la tendance des prix des denrées alimentaires. En effet, pour les producteurs le renchérissement des prix des denrées est bien perçu tandis que pour les consommateurs, il est perçu comme un facteur de pression sur le panier de la ménagère. En ce qui concerne le choix du co... Read morensommateur, pour la plupart des consommateurs béninois (à faible revenu) la qualité du produit alimentaire n’est pas l’élément déterminant tandis que pour les consommateurs à revenu élevé la qualité du produit est un facteur déterminant. Read less

Les concertations au niveau du Bénin ont été axées sur une étude complète des systèmes alimentaires avec un regard prospectif sur les changements probables attendus dans les décennies à venir. Ainsi, sur la base des composantes et des facteurs classiques des systèmes alimentaires, il s’est agi pour les parties prenantes d’analyser les facteurs influençant les systèmes alimentaires au Bénin actuellement et leurs tendances probables la décennie à venir. Ensuite, l’analyse s’est poursuivie sur l’identification des acteurs des systèmes alimentaires et les changements obse... Read morervables en perspectives des points de vue de la quantité et de la qualité des acteurs. La perception des parties prenantes sur l’environnement alimentaire a été explorée ainsi que la tendance des changements probables dans cet environnement la décennie à venir. L’analyse s’est intéressée au choix des consommateurs béninois en terme de comportements particuliers des consommateurs, changements observés au niveau de ces comportements et les raisons qui justifient ces changements. L’analyse s’est intéressée aux impacts des systèmes alimentaires sur le système de la santé humaine et animale, sur l’environnement, sur la situation nutritionnelle nationale, sur la situation socio-économique nationale. Enfin, l’analyse s’est étendue à l’appréciation de la gouvernance du secteur de l’alimentation au Bénin en terme de degré d’implication des acteurs et de la prise en compte de leurs intérêts ainsi que des pistes de suggestions pour améliorer la gouvernance. Read less

Face aux nombreuses contraintes, surtout celles du secteur agricole et pour adresser des réponses idoines aux problématiques de l’alimentation dans les rues et de la salubrité alimentaire, des leviers d’actions importants sont proposés par les acteurs rencontrés dans le cadre du dialogue. Ces actions touchent (i) l’amélioration de l’accès aux facteurs de production, de transformation et de commercialisation des produits agricoles alimentaires, (ii) la promotion de la production agricole saine et résilient au changement climatique, (iii) l’accroissement de la production, de la... Read more transformation et de la consommation des produits alimentaires, (iv) l’amélioration de la gouvernance du système alimentaire. Read less

The symposium presented the direct relationship of the DA-FAO-GEF’s project’s output and outcomes to the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) area of focus for Action Track 3: Nature Positive Production, and Action Track 4: Livelihoods and Equity. The specific policy-related activities initiated in the project were the following: 1. Amendment to RA 7308 or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992 wherein the specific provision added in the draft measure pertains to the strengthening of the informal seed system by taking into account the IPs right act and other relevant legislations;... Read more 2. Draft DA-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA)-National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC)- Rules and Regulations Governing the Joint Confirmation and Recognition of Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS) and Providing Appropriate Mechanisms for their Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use; and 3. Draft DA-Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-DENR-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Memorandum Order (JMO)-Institutionalization of Agro-Biodiversity (ABD) Management within the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) Framework Multi-stakeholder processes and approaches within governments and communities, in terms of enhancing and expanding the dynamic conservation practices for ABD, were also presented: 1. Capacity building exercises at the pilot sites to capacitate local government units and local stakeholders in the development of ABD management measures and integration of these measures into the local plans and policies; 2. Establishment and maintenance of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) through partnership/collaboration with concerned agencies such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the establishment of demo plots to generate seeds and source of planting materials during typhoons and in times of calamities; 3. Mapping, characterization, and documentation of ABD crops including relevant Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) on rice farming system in partnership with the academe and concerned government agencies; 4. Knowledge-sharing on the ABD practices and conservation practices for farmers in pilot and neighboring communities and provision of agricultural input and farm tools; 5. Development of contextualized lesson plan packages and workbook with IKSPs and agrobiodiversity; 6. Distribution of appropriate small farm tools and equipment, and construction of processing centers adding value to the ABD crops with potential for enterprise development; and 7. Market study and value chain analysis of the ABD crops and capacity building activities to enhance entrepreneurial skills and strengthened organization conducted for the IP producer group, and development of ABD products Read less

Showcasing of the DA-FAO-GEF project creates awareness of the contribution and importance of agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the country’s pursuit of a sustainable food system. To shape pathways to sustainable food systems, policy-making on food business shall not be left to indigenous communities. The Philippines’ agrobiodiversity is the basis for resilient agroecosystems. It provides crucial ecosystem services to make food available, nutrition, water and soil regulation, and agricultural heritage. Similar projects have to be implemented with actions, interventions, a... Read morend involvement contributory in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Read less

Participants of the symposium gave their support in adapting strategies in biodiversity conservation and empowering the vulnerable and marginalized sector towards food production systems such as the provision of community seed banks in the local communities. Support of the LGUs in legislations and policy making is necessary to regulate the use of natural resources as source of livelihoods and recognizing the importance of agricultural heritage sites.