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In general, one sensed the following from the group discussions: - Widespread criticism of the absence of a stronger policy that structures cross-cutting issues such as changing consumer behavior, legislation, and the training and mobilization of various actors (producer, processors, distributors, retailers, etc.). - That there is room and willingness for civil society organizations, as well as the public sector, to constitute themselves as a more cross-cutting force, as a network, and to build constructive joint paths. - The opportunities for transforming food systems only arise with collabor... Read moreation, integration, and convergence of the various actors in the food chain. The main conclusions on the three topics, in a cross-cutting way, were: - Knowledge: the need to study and better understand the food consumption habits and consumption behaviours of citizens in Portugal, by involving all stakeholders to, in particular, better understand the drivers and reasons for steering away from the Mediterranic diet, particularly among youth. - Long term vision and short-term actions: without compromising the need to have ambitious long term goals, it is key to focus on achievable short-term goals (3 years), that match societal expectations (e.g., having seafood and meat consumption reduction targets, which impact greatly on biodiversity and deforestation, but not unrealistic targets of excluding meat from diets). - Awareness: educate consumers to choose certified products (that meet principles, criteria, and indicators); informed and science-based education, instead of biased information and/or cherry-picked messages, especially for youth; integrate in school syllabus issues on diets and sustainability, adapted to local contexts. - Public Procurement: incentivize public procurement of sustainable food, including zero-deforestation criteria (e.g., for school cafeterias). - Public participation: Implement country-wide participatory guarantee systems to enable the recognition of sustainable production and consumption for those who cannot afford certification. - Labelling and Certification: adoption of legislation that makes traceability of goods mandatory. Make sustainability certification processes more flexible to adjust to local production contexts. Simplify information on certification systems to make it more accessible to the general public. Support businesses in rethinking and simplifying messages in food labels. Couple quality certification with sustainability certification (nutritional profile, benefits, and hazards). - Policy action by governments: this needs to be translated into guaranteeing more sustainable consumption for consumers and better conditions for market competition for businesses. - European policy mechanisms: to ensure meeting the targets of the European Green Deal and ensure that the Common Agriculture Policy is aligned with several environmental directives and strategies of the EU. Some of the challenges set for the future were: - Transform the forum started with the Independent Dialogue into something structured and consistent for the future, as a platform for civil society convergence to actively monitor food systems. - Explore how the different actors collectively manage to support each other, share information and knowledge, and transfer capacity building to others. - An opportunity to explore at the national level would be to create a convergence platform of different actors to act within the scope of the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security (with little expression and no consultative body), and to articulate its mission with that of Intermunicipal or Local Councils for Food and Nutritional Security . Read less

The main focus of this Independent Dialogue was sustainable diets in Portugal and their relationship with the more specific themes of national biodiversity, imported deforestation, and responsible seafood. When choosing which food systems issues to address we considered the following criteria: having strategic importance for nature conservation work in Portugal; having substantial implications for other countries in terms of impacts and potentials; having been less (or not at all) addressed in other Independent Dialogues. Since 2015, we have known that the food footprint of Portugal’s popula... Read moretion is well above the average for Mediterranean countries, distancing itself far from the consumption patterns established by the Mediterranean diet. Associated with this unsustainability, we also know that poor nutrition is the leading cause of premature mortality and multiple chronic diseases among Portugal’s population. The diets of Portugal’s population represent an average of 30% of the country's ecological footprint. And this highlights a high dependence on the biocapacity of other countries for some types of food, which predictably leads to problems in terms of food security. Portugal’s citizens consume, import, and waste food in excess. Among the different problems associated with this footprint, we find a sharp decline in biodiversity. One of the most pressing concerns on this topic is to understand how national biodiversity is affected by food production, knowing that agriculture is the leading cause of biodiversity loss in the EU but it can also have positive impacts on biodiversity. On the subject of deforestation, we know that much of the food placed on the European market may cause deforestation in third countries. The EU is the 2nd largest importer of products resulting from deforestation, and Portugal ranks 9th in deforestation caused by international trade, thus having a very important role in minimizing this problem. On the subject of seafood, we know that Portugal ranks 3rd in the world in terms of seafood consumption per capita, with little diversified consumption given the enormous variety of seafood existing in national waters (+200 commercial species). Despite this, we are insufficiently aware and concerned about the impacts of our seafood consumption and about the coastal communities that depend on it. The actions of multiple actors in the food system influence its results. In Portugal, public policies that can promote, in an integrated manner, food systems with less impact on biodiversity, deforestation and responsible seafood consumption are still immature, at the national but mostly at the local level. The capacity of the various actors, the consolidation of information and knowledge systems and the creation and strengthening of national and international networks are therefore fundamental. Read less

Generally, there is no striking divergence in terms of observation regarding issues discussed during the plenary. In fact, groups of participants had similar views on various issues discussed. To some degree, participants had disputes about whether or not there should be an emphasis on the use of industrial/chemical inputs to farmers.

THEME 1: Policy on Research and Development, Training and Extension The National Agriculture Policy, 2013 recognizes organic agriculture but not agroecology although some of its practices are addressed. Also, in relation to agroecological intensification, the National Livestock Policy of 2006 does not specifically address absolute issues in agroecology. However, it points out some issues of concern for agroecology. Furthermore, the Plant Health Act (2020) has provisions for licensing bio-input suppliers. It is, however, noted that this legislation is yet to become operational pending the compl... Read moreetion and sanctioning of Regulations that would spell out details on procedures and processes for operationalization of the law. What to do? - Training & extension should focus on the coexistence of conventional and agroecology knowledge - TARI and other research institutions should recognize and participate in AE related research - Effectively coordinate AE stakeholders by agroecology Hub in Tanzania. - Promote dissemination of AE technologies and knowledge to the community level through ICTs - Promote production by farmers of market-led AE products - Publicize AE products through various methods including media - Advocate strongly for AE through various methods including media Theme 2: TARI/TALIRI/SUA cluster Strategies for promoting AE Research -AE research should form part of the mandate of TARI and other research institutions -Technology transfer units should develop mechanisms for the dissemination of technologies on Agroecological Intensification (AEI) -Adopt participatory programs in identifying AE technologies in collaboration with farmers and other stakeholders -Agroecology Hub in Tanzania and the Ministry of Agriculture (Lead Ministry) should prepare a document containing a variety of agroecology technologies relevant to specific geographical areas/regions in the country. -Revise the National agricultural research agenda (NARA) to incorporate agroecology issues. -Mapping of research needs for generating appropriate AE technologies. THEME 3: NGOs/FRNs cluster (. Key issues identified • NGOs are weak in advocating for evidence-based AE sensitive agriculture and livestock policies • Poor documentation of challenges to the existing policies • Lack of training of extension staff on AE • Lack of extension approach towards AEI at various levels including at grass root level • Extension staff are implementing their duties based on existing government policies and programs which are inclined towards conventional agriculture • Existing policies do not adequately capture AE issues • Low ratio of extension staff to farmers • Extension officers undertake activities other than extension work What to do? - Revise curricula in technical training institutions to include agroecology - Conduct refreshers training on AE for in-service extension staff - Promote a positive attitude towards AE - Establish platforms for coordination of AE stakeholders (Agroecology Hub in Tanzania-AEHT) - Promote use of participatory approach involving various stakeholders (e.g. researchers, policymakers, agro-dealers, and producers) in advocacy and out-scaling of AEI technologies - Identify policy and strategic bottlenecks hindering widespread adoption of AEI practices in Tanzania Read less

Issues that featured strongly during group discussion and plenary session are as follows; 1. Lack of defined markets of AE products 2. The existing policies are inclined towards conventional agriculture 3. Lack of political will to support smallholder farmers to adopt agroecology 4. Uncoordinated efforts among agroecology stakeholders at inter and intra levels 5. Lack of strategies for promoting the use of bio-inputs (e.g. bio-pesticides) and native seeds 6. Ineffective extension services

The Dialogue touched almost all the five objectives/action tracks listed below; 1) Ensuring Access to Safe and Nutritious Food for All (enabling all people to be well-nourished and healthy) 2) Shifting to Sustainable Consumption Patterns (promoting and creating demand for healthy and sustainable diets, reducing waste) 3) Boosting Nature-Positive Production at Sufficient Scales (acting on climate change, reducing emissions and increasing carbon capture, regenerating and protecting critical ecosystems, and reducing food loss and energy usage, without undermining health or nutritious diets) 4) Ad... Read morevancing Equitable Livelihoods and Value Distribution (raising incomes, distributing risk, expanding inclusion, creating jobs) 5) Building Resilience to Vulnerabilities, Shocks, and Stresses (ensuring the continued functionality of healthy and sustainable food systems) 2. Aim and Objectives In light of the above, the Dialogue aimed at creating the opportunity for stakeholders in agroecology to interact and deliberate on the role agroecology should play in realizing sustainable food systems in Tanzania by focusing on the following themes: research, policy, capacity building, and dissemination. 1. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, POLICY, TRAINING, AND EXTENSION CLUSTER i. Indicate the needs, or otherwise for changes in current agriculture (2013) and livestock (2006) policies that can help advocate for AEI in the next 3 – 5 years period, ii. Determine the nature of support that AEI would be availed to agroecology practitioners along the value chain, iii. Going forward, indicate how training and extension services would need to be re-engineered to accommodate stakeholders’ needs for Agroecology Intensification-(AEI), and iv. Identify which other issues need special consideration to support AEI, where appropriate, in Tanzania. 2. TANZANIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE-TARI/TANZANIA LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE-TALIRI/SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE-SUA cluster Determine strategic interventions that would ensure an inclusive research agenda that incorporates the needs of both resource-limited and large scale entities in line with AEI, (i) Which approach would help fast-track research and technology generation relevant to AEI? (ii) Do we have information on stakeholder needs for AEI? a) If the answer is yes, elaborate on the cause(s) for failure to generate and/or disseminate relevant technologies for AEI on a wider scale, and b) If the answer is no, propose an approach(es) and procedure(s) for the identification of research priority areas for AEI that are likely to give an impact in the immediate and long terms in different agroecological zones. (iii) Given the impact of climate change in some areas, what do you see as the role of research to address emerging issues along the value chain to help streamline research priority areas for AEI, and (iv) Can one say that there is a need to re-define ‘agroecological zonation’ in order to realistically target research efforts in potential high impact areas for Agroecology Intensification?, and (v) Determine what other issues need special consideration to support technology generation for AEI in Tanzania. (3) NGOs/FRNs CLUSTER i. Identify AEI practices (technologies) adopted widely by farmers (for production, processing, or marketing/trade) in your area (NGO/FRN) that provide evidence for increased agricultural (crop and/or livestock) productivity ii. Determine how advocacy activities on AEI resonate with the current agriculture and livestock development policies, iii. Who and/or which organizations and/or institutions should actively participate in advocacy and out-scaling of AEI technologies and which specific roles should be played by each, iv. Determine the current gaps in extension on AEI and the training needs for extension/outreach activities geared towards AEI at the grass-root level, v. Identify policy and strategic bottlenecks hindering widespread adoption of AEI practices in Tanzania, and vi. Determine which other issues need special consideration to support technology generation and dissemination for AEI in Tanzania. Read less

There was no real divergence among the groups in terms of supporting the need to continue to meet regularly. However, the researcher/academic group would like to continue to meet as a sector. The other groups felt that regional groups made more sense. Both are possible and there's no need to prioritize. There were, however, groups not well represented in the dialogue. Farmers were not present and therefore their views are not included in the dialogue. Government officials were also not well represented (although they were represented). Further connecting with government and learning more about... Read more how they want to connect is important. Read less

Another outcome, is the importance of ensuring that local public markets are considered an essential part of a sustainable food system. Markets should not be viewed as independent entities but rather should be considered as part of an overall system. Given markets' critical role in distributing healthy, fresh, local, and safe food, their lack of profile and discussion is a problem for overall sustainability. By investing in a Market Cities strategy, public market systems can help address multiple high-level societal issues as outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development goals and the five Ac... Read moretion Tracks. These include: Tackling economic, social, gender, and racial inequality; Increasing access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food year-round; Creating safe and socially resilient environments where diverse people interact; Decreasing violence and discrimination against women and increasing the number of women leaders; Expanding decent work and business opportunities for all, but especially for the most marginalized. The Market Cities Initiative partners will prepare a paper that will outline the ways that markets can help achieve all 5 Action Tracks and will be seeking addition ways to ensure markets are considered an essential part of the food system. Read less

Participants in all the breakouts agreed that they wanted to meet regularly through regional networks. The Market Cities Initiative will begin this work. Due to COVID and the ongoing restriction on travel, we will explore online means to bring people together and develop governance models for each regional network. Membership in the networks and participation in meetings will be the main way to determine progress towards this outcome. Challenges include time to participate and access to reliable technology in some parts of the world to be able to meaningful participate.

The Market Cities Initiative was established to advance a new vision for public market systems at the scale of cities, regions, and beyond. The best way to overcome the challenges that face markets is for markets to work together in partnership with other groups with common interests in order to maximize the impact of public market systems on their communities. Creating and strengthening a local public market system improves health, reduces inequalities, improves livelihoods, and supports a more sustainable distribution of food throughout cities and regions. The Market Cities Initiative is bei... Read moreng carried out through four key strategies: Resources, Training, Advocacy, and Network Development. Each strategy has associated activities, ranging from issue area webinars, trainings, and conferences, to a resource library, evaluation tools, and case studies developed through on-the-ground projects. Participants in the breakout were specifically asked to focus on the network development components of the initiative in order to better understand the interest in meeting more regularly. Participants identified areas of interest including measuring markets, creating stakeholder groups locally, support vendors and market managers, and creating markets as community spaces. Participants in each group agreed that they wanted to connect regularly and preferred to meet regionally (North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America) as participants felt like people within their own regions would share similar issues. It was felt that meeting regionally, but with a diverse group of stakeholders within each region, would garner the most benefits. However, all agreed that meeting once a year with the other regions would also be helpful. Participants also identified the desire to participate in more skill building events. Moving forward, the Market Cities Initiative will be developing ways for stakeholders to connect through online platforms, events, and conferences. Opportunities to connect to an even larger group of stakeholders will also be explored. Read less

One of the most undervalued assets of cities and regions are traditional public markets. As became even more evident during the Covid 19 pandemic, successful markets play a critical role in supporting local food systems, helping to grow and connect urban and rural economies. They offer low-risk business opportunities for vendors and farmers and feed money back into the rural economy where products are grown, raised and produced. And importantly, they increase access to fresh, affordable and healthy food. Despite their many benefits, public markets across the globe are endangered by a combinati... Read moreon of many forces, ranging from a lack of management capacity and investment in infrastructure to exclusionary economic development practices. Through this dialogue we explored the need and opportunity of the Market Cities Initiative and why such an approach is a key component to a healthy food system. The dialogue convened market operators, governments, researchers, civil society, and the private sector to discuss how these groups would connect and collaborate to advance local Market Cities’ strategies. Read less

The definition of "sustainable agriculture" is still under debate. Stakeholders from various groups hold diverse views as to what qualify as "sustainable agriculture". Some consumer group only consider organic or chemical-free agriculture as 'sustainable', whereas others believe responsible and effective use of chemical input is acceptable as sustainable. More science-based public discussion on such topics will be helpful.

Plant-based food and alternative protein - while the market for these products is still relatively small in Thailand, in many export destination countries, the markets are more mature. Leveraging this international market potential can help promote domestic market as well. Plant-based proteins should be more actively promoted, and support on both the supply side (e.g. R&D funding, training) and demand side (communications campaign) are necessary.

The role of seafood companies, and other food-related companies in mitigating plastic and other waste in the marine environment. Food companies, including retailers, must design and manage their packaging to reduce the risk that their packaging materials would leak out of the waste management system into the natural environment, usually ending up in the ocean. Additionally, seafood companies should influence their suppliers to improve their management of fishing gears (or implement recovery program of ghost gear) and waste management aboard fishing vessels.

A number of participants raise the issue of food loss and food waste - which is a complex topic and is currently being managed by various government agencies. For example, 'food loss' is being regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, while 'food waste' is under the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Environment. The first step to increasing the effectiveness in management of food loss and food waste is to align data and policy among these different agencies, and then working more closely with a number of NGOs and businesses currently active in this field.

Participants from the government sector expressed their appreciation of the contribution by the business sector in driving the sustainable food systems agenda, and highlight the areas in which private sector can utilize its expertise in strategic implementation, communications with consumers, and market insights, to work together with the regulatory and public policy bodies. Thailand's 13th National Economics and Social Development Plant is currently being developed, and will incorporate the food systems approach towards SDGs alignment.

The event brought together the government agencies that regulate the food and agriculture sectors, farmers, food producers and processors, NGOs, academia, and IT and technology companies, to allow all parties to share their perspectives about what topics are important to them within the food systems discussion. The dialogue covers all 5 action tracks, with particular attention to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and what solutions are needed to alleviate and respond to such crisis.

Gobernanza de la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional ¿Quiénes deben estar involucrados en la gobernanza de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional y cuál debe ser el rol de las diferentes instituciones implementadoras (normativas, investigación, información, ejecución entre otras), sector público, privado, sociedad civil y academia? • Estado: Ministerios, Instituciones Autónomas, Municipalidades Rol: Rectoría, marco legal y educación • Sociedad Civil- Asociaciones de desarrollo, pueblos indígenas Rol: como eje transversal • Sector privado: Cámaras empresariales Rol: Posibilida... Read mored de importación y exportación, financiamiento y dotación de recursos) • Academia: Universidades Rol: Investigación nutricional y en producción ¿Cómo debe ser la rectoría de la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional? • Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería y Ministerio de Salud con la participación del Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio Roles: • Toma de decisiones por medio de mecanismos de vinculación • Articulación con el sector público, privado y la academia • Órgano multidisciplinario compuesto por diversas instituciones incluida la Secretaría de la Política Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición • Coordinación Técnica con el sector académico y educativo para mejorar la ejecución y evaluación. Read less

Mecanismos e Instrumentos para garantizar la SAN Desde el punto de vista de la planificación del Estado, ¿Cuáles son algunos mecanismos e instrumentos que permitan garantizar la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional? ● Establecer un sistema de vigilancia alimentaria y nutricional, esto con la finalidad de fortalecer la formulación de políticas y programas. Además, incorporar un sistema como este al proyecto de ley en discusión, permitirá realizar mediciones a los resultados de dichas propuestas. ● A fin de impulsar la seguridad alimentaria, es importante lograr una mejor articulació... Read moren (gobernanza) entre las instituciones responsables del caso ● Establecer un proceso de diagnóstico previo al desarrollo del proyecto de ley. Donde bajo un enfoque integral, se pueda pensar también en la alimentación de los agricultores quienes a veces enfrentan situaciones de pobreza. ● Mejoramiento de la productividad desde un punto de vista sostenible, permitiendo así un mejor acceso a los alimentos mediante una articulación institucional. ● Dar un fortalecimiento de los mecanismos existentes, de las secretarías pertenecientes a las entidades o instituciones encargadas, lo cual permitiría una mejor articulación. ● Crear mecanismos como agendas conjuntas, utilizándolo como base para monitorear los procesos llevados a cabo. ¿Cuáles son las condiciones que permiten generar entornos favorables para la efectiva implementación del marco normativo del Derecho Humano a Alimentación y la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional? (educación, salud, protección social, agropecuario, ambiente, tecnología/innovación) • Es necesario propuestas realistas, viables que permitan analizar de mejor manera los impactos en los sectores productivos (productividad, desarrollo tecnológico, la incorporación de las ingenierías alimentarias) • La tecnología y la innovación son fundamentales para impulsar el desarrollo agropecuario. Se deben promover insumos(moléculas) de mejor calidad que logren dinamizar la producción, y que cuiden de nuestro medio ambiente. • Se debe generar acceso al crédito blando, muy blando, para que el acceso a la tecnología no se vuelva un obstáculo insuperable. • La capacitación es importante de igual manera, para generar así un mejor conocimiento de la actividad misma, e inclusive para el uso de herramientas. • Agilización normativa • Participación Intersectorial. Read less

Derecho Humano a la Alimentación ¿Cuáles son los obstáculos para garantizar el Derecho Humano a la Alimentación en el país y cuáles son algunas posibles soluciones? ● Están los intereses particulares a lo largo de la cadena, en donde los que más tienen se imponen y se juegan con las reglas de ellos, son quienes tienen acceso a los líderes del país y mueven o cambian las políticas, leyes y demás instrumentos de política para sus intereses. ● Prevalece los intereses económicos antes que el Derecho Humano a la Alimentación DHA. ● Acceso Económico: no se tiene el dinero para... Read more el consumo de alimentos. ● Carencia de información, conocimiento sobre salud, enfermedades, para compra de productos (alimentos de temporada), preparación y planificación de alimentos. ● Falta de información nutricional que genere consciencia nutricional. ● No existe un etiquetado nutricional clara y no se sabe usar para seleccionar alimentos. ● El estado de vulnerabilidad de las mujeres, para el acceso a la tierra, semillas, falta de conocimiento para cocinar. ● Debe darse prioridad a las mujeres más vulnerables a través de mecanismos de acceso a la tierra y semillas para la producción y mejorar sus medios de vida. ● Promover que en los territorios rurales puedan sembrar productos básicos ● Modificación de leyes para mejorar el acceso a créditos rurales, porque esa zona tiene mucha dificultad. Los pequeños productores requieren más acceso a estas herramientas de financiamiento ● Programas a nivel institucional donde se trabaja desde el asistencialismo, no se fortalecen las capacidades de las personas para poder implementar por si mismos. Cambios institucionales ● Se requiere la voluntad política se necesitan cambios en los reglamentos , un ejemplo es la Canasta Básica Tributaria, donde hay evidencia científica donde se sabe que es importante la alimentación saludable, prevalecen los intereses económicos ● La cultura de asistencialismo, se requieren programas que promuevan la ejecución de las acciones para ellos mismos (la población). ● Falta voluntad política: desde el poder ejecutivo existe las intenciones de promover políticas pero no hay voluntad política para llevarlas a cabo. ● Se requiere cambios en el desarrollo de reglamentos para que prevalezca el derecho a la alimentación y salud. No se llega a un consenso y siempre prevalecen los intereses económicos. ● Limitada disponibilidad y acceso físico a alimentos locales. ● Poco acceso a recursos institucionales, a procesos de capacitación, actualización, sobre salud, nutrición, tecnologías. ● Hace falta un repositorio nacional interinstitucional, de acceso libre de estadísticas, censos sobre el estado de la SAN. Además, programas, proyecto para coordinar todas las acciones. ● No hay regulación de los alimentos. ● Existe un problema estructural de la condición social y económica del país. El empleo y crecimiento económico, impacta el acceso a los alimentos. ● La estructura productiva y comercial del país, provoca un aumento del precio de los alimentos y un incremento del acceso de alimentos que carecen de calidad nutricional. ● Se resaltó la necesidad de rescatar la comida tradicional, las recetas tradicionales y promover acciones y estrategias con un enfoque de derechos humanos en toda la cadena agroalimentaria. ● Se sugirió promover más allá al DHA y la participación de las mujeres, poblaciones indígenas y jóvenes. Enfocarse en el qué y cómo. Además, de las herramientas para lograr el DHA. ● Se recomendó fomentar huertas en los hogares (jefas de hogar) ● Se resaltó la necesidad de fortalecer los programas sociales. Pregunta 2. ¿Cómo podemos garantizar que el Derecho Humano a la Alimentación sea integrado en el marco normativo del país (políticas, mecanismos e instrumentos)? • Empoderando a la población, para que puedan vigilar el cumplimiento de la normativa ya existente y balanceando las fuerzas políticas para que las acciones que se realicen sean para el bienestar de la mayoría y no de unos pocos. Además debe capacitarse a más técnicos en el tema, para que con sus acciones busquen ese cumplimiento. Read less