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Sujet de discussion1 : Production végétale L'Etat Haitien doit: mener plusieurs enquêtes sur la situation de la production, travailler à régulariser le statut des producteurs, mettre en place un centre de formation et de recherche, construire des routes, des centres de santé et moderniser l'agriculture. Il doit exister un vrai partenariat entre l’État et le secteur privé dans la mise en place des usines de transformation.

The focus of our Dialogue was on: 1. Validation of discussion points from the National Dialogue convened on 20th July 2021 2. An update on the latest data on Vanuatu’s national population, population growth rate, sex ratio, age group ratio, and food consumption and food security levels 3. An update on the current state of international trade of unhealthy foods to Vanuatu and policies for managing this 4. An exploration of local Innovative initiatives currently underway in Vanuatu 5. An exploration of priority action points/levers of change across the Five Action Tracks Key Questions raised f... Read moreor discussion were: • Do you agree with the key points discussed in the First National Dialogue? Are there any changes, omissions, inaccuracies which you would like address? • What three key actions – in each of the Five Action Tracks – do you think would accelerate Vanuatu’s efforts to achieve its 2030 Food System Vision? In responding to these questions, participants were encouraged to review Vanuatu’s Gudfala Kakae Policy (Good Food) 2020-30 (GKP 2020-30), an existing Government Policy which the Vanuatu Government is using as the basis for examining and improving Vanuatu’s Food System. Read less

The main findings emerging from this Dialogue was a collective agreement on: 1. Need to establish a Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Committee to oversee the implementation of the Gudfala Kakae (Good Food) Policy 2020-30 and the Vanuatu National Nutrition Policy. 2. Need for Leadership, Coordination, and Commitment to strengthen multi-sectoral, multi-scalar, and multi-pronged approach to policy formulation and implementation. 3. Building on existing innovative and best practice initiatives currently being implemented by Govt, Private Sector and Civil Society stakeholders. 4. Utilising the exp... Read moreertise, experience, and networks of the Private Sector (and other non-government stakeholders) to effectively implement the GKP 2020-30. 5. Empowering and resourcing provincial and local level government officials and agencies to lead on the GKP 2020-30 Objectives and Strategies. 6. Need to increase the engagement and collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society. Particularly, around: innovative value-adding of local foods; research related to innovative value adding of local foods; and delivery of services related to the Gudfala Kakae Policy. Read less

Topic 1 – Review and Validation of Dialogue One Inputs In reviewing and validating the outcome of the First National Dialogue (20th July), stakeholders proposed the following additional inputs: • There is an urgent need for Government ministries and partners to allocate adequate resources to implement the Gudfala Kakae (Good Food) Policy and other policies impacting on Vanuatu’s Food System. • Build resilience capacity to be able to respond effectively to compounding / widespread disasters e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, pandemics, cyclones and other climatic extreme events. •... Read more Introduce price control mechanism for local produce to ensure balance of affordability to consumers + adequate compensation for producers and others along the Food System value chain. • Ensure proper data management systems are in place to establish baselines and measure progress of policy objectives • Facilitate, promote and support the use of technology and innovative techniques across the food supply chain: food production, processing and transportation. • Review seasonal calendar of crops and coordination of farmers/producers to improve availability and variety of foods and ensure sales for farmers/producers. • Introduce regulations/policies to reduce supply and consumption of unhealthy foods and improve supply of healthy food. This includes ensuring imported food staples are fortified with essential micro-nutrients. Read less

Topic 2 – Key Actions to Accelerate Gudfala Kakae (Good Food) Policy Vision & Objectives: Action Track 1 – Nutrition 1. Establish Multisectoral Food and Nutrition Committee to oversee implementation of GKP and VNNP. 2. Upscale nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programs throughout the country. Action Track 2 – Diet 1. Data and information system- know what is available and where as well as vertical and horizontal communication. 2. Empower Provincial authorities to manage this system but it is important to develop capacity and ensure sufficient allocation of resources (finance... Read more) 3. Build on and enhance and strengthen existing initiatives discussed in previous sessions Action Track 3 – Nature 1. Encourage and promote agroforestry practices and intercropping of food crops and vegetables with trees – as currently delivered by Dept of Forestry 2. Promote silviculture practices involving trees and fishponds 3. Promote silvi-pastoral practices involving trees and livestock Action Track 4 – Livelihoods 1. Engage with and contract private sector to manage and deliver services and logistics to producers and farmers in innovative business-like manner. 2. Market identification by private sector businesses in compliance with market and international standards. 3. Empower people with private sector skills and knowledge to implement production value chain as well as provide appropriate mechanisation tools, equipment and opportunities to increase market access. Action Track 5 – Resilience 1. Leadership coordination and commitment to strengthen multi-sectoral, multi-scalar and multi-pronged approach to policy formulation and implementation. 2. Sustainable and resilient approaches to localised disaster response and recovery including intercropping and agroforestry. 3. More research in terms of climate impact and resilience in agriculture and that must also include social research. Read less

The following areas will need further exploration in future Food System Dialogues: • Instituting a price control mechanism to ensure affordability of local, healthy produce/foods while also ensuring profitable income and decent livelihoods for local producers and stakeholders along the Food System value chain • Capturing local/traditional knowledge and practices into Food System transformation initiatives while also respecting local, cultural rules for maintaining ownership and secrecy of particular traditional knowledge and practices. • Putting in place policies and regulations on impor... Read moretation and manufacturing of unhealthy foods versus the interests of businesses and workers engaged in this sector. • Seasonal work opportunities in Australia and New Zealand absorbing the most able workers of Vanuatu vs lack of domestic income earning/generating opportunities. Read less

Maitrise de la gestion des résidus alimentaires (déchets). Interventions nécessaires Le groupe traitant cette thématique a fait les recommandations suivantes : • Renforcer les ménages en mettant à leur disposition des équipements de stockage adéquats. • Mettre en place un schéma directeur pour une gestion durable et opérationnelle des déchets (tri, collecte, ramassage, transport vers des décharges contrôlées, traitement et valorisation). • Mettre en place une coordination de toutes les parties prenantes • Encourager la réutilisation et le recyclage des déchets alimentai... Read moreres par des politiques, des mécanismes financiers et des équipements techniques appropriés pour la gestion des déchets. • Former les Agriculteurs sur la maîtrise des interactions des éléments fertilisants et des produits phytosanitaires. • Elaborer une réglementation spécifique à la gestion des déchets et mettre en application les textes existants. • mettre en place des plateformes de compostage. • Concevoir des technologies pour la réutilisation et le recyclage des déchets alimentaires comme engrais • Encourager et innover les ressources qui peuvent produire des engrais organiques • Développer des technologies qui permettront de réutiliser et de recycler les déchets organiques • Encourager l’emploie massif des engrais organiques dans de bonnes conditions de sécurité. • Réglementer les distributeurs et vendeurs d’engrais. • Mettre en place un mecanisme de partage de connaissances et d’informations entre les parties prenantes (Agriculteurs, commercants, producteurs d’engrais) sur la réutilisation et le recyclage des résidus alimentaires en tant qu’engrais. • Mettre en place un comité de suivie et évaluation des actions enterprises. • mettre en place une politique de recyclage des matières qui peuvent être utilisées comme engrais ; notamment la valorisation des effluents d’élevages. Read less

L’axe majeur de la concertation portait sur l’amélioration de la production alimentaire à travers la définition d’une stratégie nationale visant à améliorer l’autosuffisance alimentaire en lien avec les 17 ODD. Les discussions sur l’approche des systèmes alimentaires d’ici 2030 ont permis de comprendre la vision des communautés comoriennes sur les systèmes alimentaires. En effet la projection pour une amélioration des systèmes alimentaires tient compte des difficultés constatés à leur niveau sur les questions de production, de disponibilité de terre cultivables, de c... Read moreonservation des produits frais, de transformation des produits locaux, de la gestion des déchets, de la pollution, de l’intensivité des activités de pêche, de la non diversification des aliments consommés et des régimes alimentaires sains . Les intervenants dans leur approche ont émis des idées qui pourraient impactés de façon positive leurs secteurs d’activité mais aussi fournir en quantité suffisante des produits alimentaires en vue d’améliorer les régimes alimentaires en lien avec les ODD, d’ici 2030. Ces solutions sont entre autres :  Le renforcement des capacités opérationnelles des structures d’encadrement ainsi que des coopératives des secteurs agroalimentaires pour veiller sur les missions de fourniture de services et d’appui-conseil sur tout ce qui a trait au développement rural et à la protection de l’environnement ;  La promotion, la sécurisation et le développement des espaces de production agricoles, pour mieux répondre aux besoins des exploitants producteurs en termes d’encadrement et de fourniture en semences améliorées et intrants ;  L’amélioration sanitaire des cheptels grâce à un meilleur contrôle des animaux importés aux frontières ;  L’amélioration de la qualité et de l’accès aux statistiques des principaux secteurs de production afin de mettre à jour les données existantes et aboutir à un état des lieux de la situation actuelle des productions ;  Le renforcement du plaidoyer auprès du gouvernement et des autres partenaires techniques et financiers afin de mobiliser plus de ressources devant permettre d’appuyer des innovations technologiques et la modernisation de l’agriculture et de la pêche en vue de lutter efficacement contre la pauvreté des populations et de renforcer leur résilience face aux différentes crises ;  La réutilisation des déchets agricoles pour le compostage, la production de biogaz et l’alimentation des animaux et une mise en œuvre des documents stratégiques et règlementaires élaborés pour sécuriser la production ainsi que les consommateurs. Read less

La concertation a permis l’élaboration d’une stratégie basée sur trois (3) axes stratégiques : i. Promouvoir l’intensification, la diversification et la commercialisation des productions dans les secteurs porteurs pour l’amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire, ii. Accompagner la gouvernance et la gestion durable des ressources naturelles et forestières et iii. Améliorer la qualité et l’accès aux statistiques des principaux secteurs de production. La concertation a aussi recommandé une mise en place d’une brigade nationale dont sa principale mission est de veuiller à l... Read morea mise en œuvre du rapport sur les systèmes alimentaires, en travaillant conjointement avec les secteurs clés concernés en encourageant, à travers une sensibilisation et une communication, la prise des initiatives visant à la gestion durable des ressources naturelles (forêt, eau, biodiversité, sol, etc.) et à garantir une alimentation saine et de qualité à la population. Read less

Limites liées à l’amélioration des productions (agriculture, élevage et pêche) et interventions nécessaires Le groupe traitant cette thématique a fait les recommandations suivantes : • Professionnaliser le métier des producteurs • Mettre à disposition de semences diversifiées, résilientes et adaptés aux terroirs • Atténuer les travaux champêtres ; • Mettre en place une carte représentant les agroécosystèmes associés aux cultures adaptées en fonction de leurs conditions pédoclimatique ainsi que les itinéraires culturales ; • Elaborer une politique nationale de p... Read moreroduction de poulets de chaire en produisant de la provende à base des produits locaux aux Comores ; • Accentuer et généraliser l’insémination artificielle bovine et le croisement des caprins pour augmenter en quantité suffisante la viande et le lait. • Mettre en place une entreprise de pêche qui assurera la chaine de valeur des produits halieutiques ; • Former les producteurs sur les outils de résilience ; • Organiser les circuits de commercialisation et octroyer aux producteurs des magasins appropriés de stockage des produits agricoles et de pêche. Read less

Initiatives à prendre pour consommer les denrées alimentaires locales par rapport aux denrées importées dans l’alimentation. Valeurs et faiblesses des denrées locales Le groupe traitant cette thématique a fait les recommandations suivantes : • Mettre en place des moyens de stockage des produits ; • Appuyer la création et l’accompagnement des petits, et Moyens entreprises dans la transformation et conservation des aliments (accès aux infrastructures). • Faciliter la commercialisation et augmenter les points de vente ; • Promouvoir et sensibiliser la population comorienne sur... Read more la consommation des produits locaux • Améliorer la qualité des produits à travers le renforcement du système de management qualité ; • Sensibiliser les consommateurs sur les bienfaits des produits locaux par rapport à la santé ; • Modérer et contrôler les prix d’achat des produits • Mettre en place une base de donnée agricole pour l’archivage et la disponibilité des informations. Read less

Maitrise des maladies animales et végétales émergentes pour une production saine et améliorée Le groupe traitant cette thématique a fait les recommandations suivantes : • Renforcer l’appui à la Recherche agricole • Mettre en place des stratégies de lutte contre les maladies • Renforcer les contrôles aux frontières et le réseau de veille sanitaire. • Implémenter un réseau de surveillance phytosanitaire qui Impliquera le secteur privé • Renforcer les capacités technique, financière et analytiques des laboratoires de santé animal et végétal ; • Créer des parcs de... Read more quarantaine • Sensibiliser les agriculteurs sur l’utilisation des produits phytosanitaires et des engrais chimiques modérément pour préserver la santé humaine. • Mettre en place des programmes vaccinaux pour les animaux ; • Instaurer des pharmacies vétérinaires ; • Sensibiliser les éleveurs sur les maladies et produits utilisés ; Read less

Contraintes liés aux transformations agropastorales aux Comores et interventions nécessaires Le groupe traitant cette thématique a soulevé les contraintes suivantes : • Manque de données statistiques sur la qualité des produits et les pertes post-récoltes ; • Manque d’infrastructure de transformation et de conservation des aliments ; • Insuffisance de capacité technique pour la transformation ; • L’accès à l’énergie est discontinu et donc limite considérablement la transformation et la conservation ; • Difficulté de d’écoulement des produits transformés • Abs... Read moreence de politique de développement des filières agroalimentaires ; • Méconnaissance des documents disponibles sur la politique nationale de la qualité ; • Manque de professionnalisation des métiers des transformateurs ; • Absence de mécanisme de financement et appui aux petites et moyennes entreprises de transformation. • Absence d’entreprise de conditionnement et de paquetage des produits finis ; • Difficulté d’accès au crédit à travers les institutions financières (Bank) Read less

Conditions d’une qualité nutritionnelle et accès à une nourriture saine à la population Le groupe traitant cette thématique a fait les recommandations suivantes : • Promouvoir la diversification des aliments nutritifs (takas, triboi) • Vulgariser le guide et la politique alimentaire • Sensibiliser sur la qualité nutritionnelle des produits locaux • Renforcer les conditions de conservation et d’entreposage (marché, supermarché) • Respecter la règle des 5 clés de la marmite (ménage, restaurant …) • Renforcer le contrôle qualité dans les marchés, supermarché… �... Read more� Revoir les prix de l’eau et améliorer les moyens de conditionnement de l’eau (plastique en d’autres produits biodégradable et moins cher) • Améliorer l’accès de l’eau potable en milieu rural • Accompagner les entreprises de conservation existantes à se développer et produire plus • Equilibrer et diversifier les produits alimentaires locaux • Promouvoir l’analyse de la qualité des sols (afin de permettre la diversification et la décentralisation de la production alimentaire) • Mise en place d’une unité de suivi et évaluation des risques des produits importés • Accompagner les entreprises à restructurer les produits importés non-nutritifs • Valoriser les produits locaux à forte valeur nutritionnelle. • Assurer une chaine de production d’aliments diversifiés jusqu’à la fortification pour la prise en charge des enfants malnutries Read less

The main findings from the RMI Green Food Systems Dialogue are presented under the five topic areas. 1) The food we produce Very little agriculture takes place in the RMI and a low proportion of the population engages in agricultural work. Identified challenges to increased food production related to soil quality, limited water supply and drought conditions, which favour traditional foods such as coconut, breadfruit and pandanus, over diverse vegetable crops. Innovative approaches to agriculture, such as hydroponics and vertical gardening, were highlighted as ways of efficiently producing nutr... Read moreient dense foods, but more innovation is needed. Importantly, maintenance of innovative approaches was identified as vital, with projects often being short-term or discontinued prematurely. Barriers to home gardening were identified, including a lack of space, unsuitable soil, salinity and a lack of proper tools, knowledge and skills. This is linked to cultural norms; home gardening has not been common practice among previous generations and so the necessary knowledge has not been culturally embedded. Relevant stakeholders include government agencies, farmers associations, educational establishments and projects supported by international partners. Together they are working to achieve a zero-waste closed circle agricultural system that supports sustainable self-sufficiency, community involvement and empowerment through delivery of seedlings and livestock to communities, education on farming techniques and cooking with novel vegetables, and mobile markets to enable access to healthy, locally grown foods. These initiatives have demonstrated success, but challenges are faced in relation to the use of single-season hybrid seeds, a lack of relevant value chain data and the need to scale-up best-practice activities and ensure that they endure. 2) The food we eat The vast majority of foods eaten in the RMI are imported with limits to the available local food and the wider choice imported foods offer. This was partly felt to be the result of a shift in societal roles. With increasing numbers of women in the workforce there is less time for food production and preparation, resulting on an increased reliance on imported and more convenient foods. There are, however, notable health problems associated with the high levels of consumption of imported processed food. It was noted that local foods are available in stores, and these sell out very quickly. There is recognition of the need to provide healthy school lunches, and the Public Schools System is working with the Majuro local government and Canvasback Wellness Center on the provision of nutritious school meals. In terms of food waste, there is a lack of accurate data. Anecdotally, food waste was identified as being predominantly from imported foods on the larger atolls. It was felt that the outer islands are likely to have a higher proportion of waste from local foods, by virtue of their availability. A key issue identified around food waste is the problem of packaging from imported foods; the environmental impact of a discarded coconut being negligible versus the impact of a discarded soft drinks can. 3) The challenges of being on the front lines of climate change The impacts of drought on food crops has been identified, including specifically coconuts. Climate change is impacting seasonality, with delayed harvest times, and resulting in the dropping of fruit before ripening. Increasing invasive species is of significant concern, as is damage cause by increasing frequency and severity of king tides. Climate change also threatens the security of freshwater sources owing to rising sea levels. Currently employed strategies to adapt to climate change include the use of mulching, to help retain moisture in the soil, and drip-bottle irrigation. In addition to adaptation measures, there are also concerns regarding the need to reduce the RMI’s CO2 emissions. 4) Resilience and vulnerability The innovation and knowledge of women was noted, with the One Island One Product campaign being identified as female-led. There is a need for effective streams of credit to support initiation and expansion of agriculture. Furthermore, the need for political will to engender change to support resilience was identified, particularly given the limited available resources. The need for a comprehensive social/economic/political plan that prioritizes resilience was raised. Traditional Knowledge is valued and is recognized for its role in enhanced resilience. 5) The impact(s) of COVID-19 Sales of certain food types have fallen. For example, during the pandemic churches have reduced the number of events and activities they hold, and families have scaled back gatherings, both resulting in a fall in demand for livestock. The reduction in tourist visitors has also negatively impacted sales of local foods. The RMI grants licenses to many fishing vessels to access its waters, the crews of which ordinarily come ashore and buy foodstuffs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed this, with crews remaining aboard their vessels. It was also noted that capacity has been impacted owing to the closing of the nation’s borders; consultants have been unable to travel to the RMI and technical assistance has been lost. Food supplies were disrupted, but transportation to outer islands was maintained owing to the national purchase of new boats. However, maintaining the quality of transported foods requires addressing. Read less

The RMI Green Food System Dialogue delivered outcomes in terms of specific ideas and innovations to be implemented to drive change within the RMI food system and also in terms of the recognition of specific needs and challenges that may not have been previously identified. These provide new avenues for consideration and future action. The identified Action Tracks and key words represent the Outcomes as a whole rather than individual Outcomes. 1) The food we produce Increasing and innovating in food production In response to the recognized lack of knowledge and experience related to growing veg... Read moreetables, the Dialogue concluded that there was a need for the promotion of traditional food crops such as coconut, breadfruit and pandanus, as well as non-traditional but native foods, and non-traditional way of using traditional foods, such as the production of flour from breadfruit. This is being done to some extent by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce and the Taiwanese Technical Mission, who distribute seedlings. Where non-traditional crops are to be grown, moving away from the use of hybrid seeds, which must be re-purchased every season, is also necessary for this farming to be sustainable. There is also a need for capacity building in local communities to engage them to grow food through home gardening and encouraging sustainable practices through educational programs. This could be achieved through strategic collaboration for research/education training between public and private sectors. Lastly, limited space due to land tenure is a big challenge in RMI. Local production is locally sold at the supermarkets and farmers market, but it is very seasonal. Discussion highlighted the need for implementing a variety of crops that provide production year-round. It was mentioned that local production has dramatically declined due to a combination of factors such as global warming, overharvesting and a lack of effective resource management. Overcoming the current challenges of limited agriculture and limited local food supply will require an overall increase in production. For that, a national agricultural census needs to be performed. Specific ideas to support this included strengthening farmers’ and producers’ associations, utilising precipitation predictions to time the planting of short-term crops, ensuring adequate irrigation systems are available and maintained, implementing hydroponics, climate-smart agriculture techniques, a return to traditional ways of preserving food, and increasing composting activities (e.g. coconut husk cakes) to support soil improvement and growing success. There are opportunities for better linking of green and blue food system, for example through the use of fisheries waste as agricultural fertilizer. Read less

2) The food we eat Consumption of imported food The majority of food consumed is imported and includes food such as rice, eggs and chicken. There are several factors that influence food choices at the household level. Nowadays, many women have regular jobs that reduce the available time for food preparation and cooking, resulting in a preference for convenience food. Food preferences have also been highly influenced by western culture. Local products in markets It was highlighted in the discussions the importance of commercializing local production through markets, such as farmers markets, whe... Read morere the community can access local healthy foods at an affordable price. The private sector is committed to promoting agribusiness, but there is also a need to establish digital spaces to improve market access. Promoting traditional knowledge and skills In order to increase the levels of local food consumption the Dialogue discussions suggested that building capacity be essential to support an expansion of farming and home gardens. In particular the need for recording and maintaining traditional food preservation skills from community elders was recommended. Furthermore, re-establishing traditional food festivals will support this knowledge transmission. School gardens Some public schools have been growing school gardens, with the aim that these will become productive, and the harvested foods can be used in the preparation of school meals. Cookery demonstrations were delivered to some school staff in 2020 as an initial step towards this. National stock-take It was further suggested that a national ‘stock-take’ be undertaken in relation to food production and security, from both green food system and blue food system perspectives. Reducing food waste It is recognized that better sorting of waste is required, and that food scraps and waste should be used to make compost. The collection and composting of food scraps is being considered by the Majuro Atoll Waste Company. The Dialogue discussions also raised the possibility of encouraging schools to utilize foods that are close to their expiry in the production of school meals, as a route to helping reduce food waste. Imported food is a big contributor of waste in the RMI, especially non-biodegradable waste such as plastic that accumulates in the environment, but this needs to be managed from an innovative perspective to find solutions. In Majuro, 61% of the total waste generated is from households and 39% is from non-household sources such as shops, restaurants, businesses, and public institutions. Read less

3) The challenges of being on the front lines of climate change Importantly, it was identified that climate change is a cross-sectoral issue. Any climate-related policies, strategies etc., even if focussed on food systems, should be cross-sectoral in nature and should extend beyond RMI borders to engage the wider region. RMI has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In order to achieve this it will be necessary to consider food transportation and refrigeration. Adaptation strategies A number of suggestions were made during the Dialogue discussions that were considered to be u... Read moreseful adaptation strategies. These included: • Coastal replanting to protect the land and soil • Increasing the use of hydroponic systems, including floating hydroponic rafts, and aquaponics systems • The provision of ecologically friendly farming tools and supporting increased composting were also highlighted • Promoting the use of mulching as a soil improver and to retain moisture • Promoting the use of drip-bottle irrigation to maximize limited water resources • Cultivating easy-to-grow and hardy/salt tolerant vegetables, including the cultivation of species and varieties commonly grown by some of RMI’s neighbors such as the Federated States of Micronesia • Implement financial mechanisms to support local farmers It was further suggested that there remains a need for developing a national food security strategy that supports the maximal levels of food independence for the RMI and, crucially, ensuring that this strategy be followed through on. In addition, a broad long-term climate strategy is required, with the suggestion that digitization of agriculture be explored in order to allow efficient, targeted irrigation and fertilizer application, as examples. It is noted that RMI produces low CO2 emissions but is affected critically by climate change. Therefore, while mitigation strategies are considered, adaptation strategies are the priority. Read less

4) Resilience and vulnerability In terms of creating a more integrated food system, there is a recognized need for inputs from a broader base of stakeholders. While training and outreach to farmers currently occurs at present, this needs to be increased. There is a need for a multistakeholder, holistic ridge-to-reef approach to improve the RMI food system. The vulnerabilities to agriculture are largely physical in the RMI; salt-spray, drought conditions and long-term sea-level rise. There is a need to establish seedbanks to ensure that local food crops aren’t entirely lost by disaster condit... Read moreions such as seawater inundation and can be replanted. There is a general lack of interest in agriculture activities accompanied by limited expertise, and these present limiting factors to influencing and increasing agricultural production. Better integration of green food systems can be brought about with the establishment of night markets and farmers markets, making local foods accessible to a wider range of people. Loan programs and small grants for NGOs were identified as a way to help prepare for potential loss of food systems revenue as a result of climate change, and adequate credit facilities, such as small enterprise loans, should be available to individuals would help provide the enabling conditions for the establishment of small-scale food production. Women are central to decision-making about food, children’s nutrition etc. and are leaders and innovators in relation to food systems and producing local goods. Therefore, any conversations about agricultural development and innovation must be gender inclusive. Any approaches to agricultural development should also be inclusive of RMI youth. Development of “Early Warning Early Action” plans will enable the provision of timely information to people to allow them to respond and reduce the impact of specific hazards, such as natural disasters. Lastly, it was recognized that to implement strategies there is also a need for political will to support local initiatives. Read less

5) The impact(s) of COVID-19 Preparing for the future While the COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the RMI in the same ways that it has many other countries, its impact has been felt owing to the reductions in transportation into and around the country and the light it has shone on the reliance on imported food goods. The government of the RMI has recognized the potential impacts of this pandemic, and similar future global crises, particularly on those communities that are less well connected but that also normally rely on imported foods. To ensure that these communities are sufficiently prepa... Read morered for further or future negative impacts on this transportation of foodstuffs, the government has approved the distribution of farming tools to the outer islands. This will help support local food production and so increase community resilience against the ongoing crisis or similar future crises. The impact that COVID-19 has had on tourism is also reflected in the commercialization of foodstuffs as tourists were a major market for local produce. Home gardening has been identified as an opportunity to increase independence and resilience against shocks such as that presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read less