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The meeting with Consumer Goods Forum was held to exchange opinions related to SDGs and sustainable food systems. Main remarks are as follows: - Japan has excellent cold chain technologies and can contribute to the transformation to sustainable food systems. At the same time as the summit, we should take this opportunity to work to disseminate such technologies abroad. - Improving consumer understanding is important for the transformation to sustainable food systems. Food preservatives and food additives are important factors in extending expiration dates. As with pesticides and fertilizers, i... Read moret requires the correct understanding of consumers for the risk-based proper use. Read less

In this dialogue, we discussed challenges and opportunities especially related to Action Track 2.

The meeting with SCAFFF was held to exchange opinions related to SDGs and sustainable food systems. The main remarks of the participants are as follows. (Manufacturer of horticulture facilities) (1) In order to transform the present system to sustainable food systems, it is important for each stakeholder to cooperate one another. Our company has used the exhausted heat and gas from local incineration plants to produce agricultural products, which is called a circular economy approach. Other measures include establishment of a matching site between producers and consumers, which includes demand... Read more-oriented production systems, agricultural education through SDGs scoring, and other measures in cooperation with different stakeholders. (Airline company) (1) Our company is trying to establish a system that directly links with disaster (e.g. typhoon) stricken farms. They may need cash as soon as possible, and we think it would be helpful if there was a system to connect the farmers, who want to secure income by producing their agricultural products in short terms, and the companies that desire to promptly support them. (2) On the other hand, as Japanese consumers are not yet to widely understand the food issues well, it is important to make them involved in the matter through suitable measures. (3) According to a joint press release by Unilever plc and WWF (World Wildlife Fund), they list 50 items of agricultural products with low environmental load, high nutrition, strong risk tolerance of disease/pest and climate change, titled ‘50 future ingredients’. Our company uses those ingredients for our in-flight meals. (Japan GAP Foundation (JGF)) (1) In JGAP and ASIAGAP, certified producers are obliged to submit to the JGF their management plans that will consider environmental aspect and contribute to biodiversity. The JGF conducts monitoring based on biological research. In addition to conventional inspection items, other items such as reduction of greenhouse gas emission and carbon sequestration will be incorporated into the ongoing revised certification. Many fertilizer/pesticide/material manufactures are participating in the scheme as GAP Partners, and therefore we will continue working together. (Food manufacture) (1) We are promoting environmentally friendly approaches. However, there have been cost barriers. Although the supply side promotes the efforts, the demand side would not respond well, which means our efforts have not yet to impact consumers’ purchase behavior. Therefore, a system in which consumers are willing to purchase environmentally friendly products even if prices are a bit high should be established. (2) Producers of agricultural products are making efforts to reduce costs, but it is difficult for a single company to do that, and therefore it is necessary as the whole of Japan to work together including research and development for improving productivity. (Farming Corporation) (1) Regarding organic farming: (i) In Japan, while the organic farming certification standards and its operational standards are extremely high, producers cannot earn the income commensurate with costs and risks (e.g. insufficient yield), which has been a barrier to enter the business; (ii) In the case of small scale farming, their products can be sold at local markets or on electric commerce sites. However, in the case of larger scale farming businesses, sales promotion becomes extremely difficult under the current distribution system for agricultural products. As one of solutions, it is necessary to establish a business model for organic farming through industry-academia collaboration, and based on that, comprehensive efforts are needed including the expansion of production scale and development of new sales channels, and the financial support by the government is also important for that purpose. (Food manufacturer) (1) Our company is working on the production of grapes for Japanese wine. We have heard that utilizing abandoned land can contribute to preserving biodiversity. We would like you to discuss ‘effective use of village mountain (Satoyama)’ at the Food Systems Summit. (1) The dissemination of the certification system for sustainably produced agricultural products is left to the private sector such as NGOs. We need governmental support for raising awareness of the certification through the government network, and also support for our entry into developing countries. (Food delivery business) (1) Our company has been working on CO2 sequestration by applying bio-charcoal to farmland for several years, and sells agricultural products grown on bio-charcoal applied farmland with a branding strategy. (2) We are working on providing environmentally friendly farm products to school meals, conducting farm experience classes by providing opportunity to visit biochar farmlands and its manufacturing plants in order to improve consumers’ awareness toward environmentally friendly farm products. Read less

In this dialogue, we discussed challenges and opportunities especially related to Action Track 2 and 3.

Participants were on one accord with the opinions shared. There is the dire need to begin the work towards improving the food system as these forms of discussions are usually had but rarely acted on due to limiting human and financial resources.

Discussion Topic: Family Island Circular Economy Challenge: Young people leaving the Family Islands (rural islands) Solution: We must think of sustainability in order to keep young people from leaving the islands and to attract others that have already left as well as new ones. Providing incentives (i.e. good job opportunities) and infusion of capital on the islands will assist.

Discussion Topic 2: Food Transport and Market Information Systems Challenge: inefficient food transport (mainly vessels) to and from rural islands; Quality of meat imported has decreased due to the pandemic; Inconsistency of food supplies; mishandling of food throughout supply chain; Lack of proper training in food safety, proper manufacturing practices and HACCP standards. Solutions: Provide training to build capacity in different topics of interests to farmers/producers; to build awareness on how to maximize the value of their production; and to encourage farmers/producers adopt value additi... Read moreon that is tailored to their level of production. . Facilitate training through mentorship for people in the cottage industry. Standardize production/ manufacturing of food using a system similar to cooperatives. (i.e. Establish a general plant for processing to enable farmers/producers to use modern and more appealing packaging.) Consider community based food standards certification Improve transport and cost of goods. Refrigerated vessels are needed. Consider the use of drones to improve transport. Read less

Discussion Topic - Local Food Production, Value Addition and the Craft Cottage Sector Challenge (i): Limited access to new technology and agricultural inputs (e.g. new varieties, packaging materials, irrigations, solar energy, etc.) Solution: The government can continue to provide incentives, materials, and financing to farmers/producers to boost interest (especially for youth) in the sector as agriculture is an expensive and often laborious venture. Challenge (ii): Decline of our extension support system Solution: Strengthen our extension support system to assist farmers/producers with improv... Read moreing production through traditional farming and to capitalize on the use of new technologies. Assist farmers/producers with broadening expanding their clientele through agro-tourism and marketing strategies so that they can reach consumers that would not be reached otherwise. Assist farmers/producers to develop niche markets and help them to be prepared for external markets. Read less

Food Safety and Quality in the Family Islands (rural islands) There is a great concern that food on the rural islands are of less quality and are at risk of being safe. There is the decision to focus on educating all stakeholders (farmers, food transport, retailers, and consumers) on food safety throughout the supply chain. The use of community-based food certification programmes was considered to be a feasible option of determining food quality and safety. Access to Agriculture and Marine Finance Over the past year, there has been a significant attempt to provide farmers and fishers with acce... Read moress to funds for development through increased funding grants. However, this is still limited to the main islands and the criteria set for obtaining funding does not include the large scope of agricultural and fisheries needs, thereby still limiting potential impact. A decision has been made to educate persons on grant writing for seeking additional capital as grant funding is readily available but often farmers and fishers are limited in capacity for developing proposals. Furthermore, new connections will be sought to offer the sector accessible lines of credit through digital currency and blockchains. Waste Management to improve local food production In efforts to combat the impacts of climate change, private stakeholders have committed to further collaboration with the government on work on Climate Action. Through building the capacities at the political level on waste management policies and at the territorial level in practice, it is agreed that each actor will adhere to their responsibilities in managing waste. Whereby implementing policies and governance or by composting on the fields and not littering in the oceans. There is a commitment towards small acts for a big impact. Read less

Action Track 1 - Ensure Access to Safe & Nutritious Food for All Topic: Making nutritious foods available and accessible throughout the Family Islands. How can we support our Family Islands local food systems? Description: The concept of food security is most often perceived as “being able to secure sufficient food for oneself” generally overlooking the principle dimensions of accessibility, availability, stability, and utility that is required to achieve an overall food security. This Dialogue will examine two key pillars of Food Security - ‘accessibility’ and ‘availability’ b... Read morey discussing the challenges faced in the Family Islands’ local food system value chain. The objective of discussions is to identify transformative ways to support local island communities in improving their circular economies through efficient food systems. Read less