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A notable area of divergence that emerged in the discussion was disagreement about the focus on different segments of the value chain. The representatives of the local private sector actors said that a stronger emphasis should be placed on the processing, transportation, and logistic segments, where the representatives of the WFP highlighted the final consumption part of the chain and achieving healthy diets of particular importance. The group’s discussion ended with a recognition that there should be a holistic and inclusive approach targeting entire food value chains for being able to buil... Read mored sustainable food systems in Armenia. Read less

Strengthen capacities to resist vulnerabilities and the often changing economic environment Based on the results and findings of the discussion by this outcome focus lies on the logistic segment of the food value chains and Public and Private investments. From the point of view of the food security value chain logistic infrastructures playing serious role and government-private cooperation in this area can be considered not only mandatory and important, but also it is supposed to be an indicator for the development of harmonious government-private relationship. Therefore, it is impossible to i... Read moremagine the existence and their further development of logistic infrastructures without any state and public support especially in the Republic of Armenia. The degree of efficiency of infrastructure and necessity are determined by the level of development of market relations. It is an important component for the private sector to have the opportunity to participate in the evaluation of such a value chain. For emerging countries like Armenia with changing economic environment the logistic infrastructures and their further development mostly depend on state regulations and subsidies aiming at: • Encouraging investment through direct and indirect participation (subsidies, tax policy, local development projects), • Simplify the process of permitting usage of state potential resources (land use, permissions of constructions, utility), • Sustainable labor market development and educational policy to create new values and ensure continuity (social-public education and trainings). The development of logistic infrastructure in Armenia would increase efficiency in the competitive markets, add great value, create new employments possibilities and thus, strengthen capacities of directly and indirectly involved value chain actors to resist vulnerabilities. Read less

Boost nature-positive production at scale Based on the discussions two perspectives for this outcome can be described: Perspective 1: Improving Vulnerability and risks in Social Protection for boosting nature-positive production Approach 1: Eligibility criteria for safety nets are enhanced and regularly updated. This could include applying food security dimensions into the safety-net measures. Approach 2: Establish Shock Responsive Food Security Safety Nets Short-term: Establish shock response mechanism to food insecure Armenian populations affected by the conflict and COVID-19 pandemic Medium... Read more and long term: Social safety nets as comprehensive package Nutrition education and awareness on healthy food choices and purchases Apply social behavior change and teach the impacts of copying mechanisms and reduce the application of severe copying mechanisms Approach 3: Establish early warning system components for food security Components: Price hikes Monitoring of shocks: economic, political, environmental risks and shocks Natural and man-made disasters Nutrition: Obesity and malnutrition trends (all age groups) Rise of some Non-Communicable Diseases: Diabetes, hyper-tension “Over consumption” of certain foods Perspective 2: Building resilience for boosting nature-positive production Resilience can build through investment in food systems that are nutritionally sensitive, and socially responsible yet demand driven and profitable. This requires a transformation of food systems, where food security is at the center of national development at all levels. True transformation of food systems takes a holistic approach with consumer demand and nutritional consumption patterns as the key driver. Opportunities for stable and safe food production are generated by this demand. The concept of investing in Food Systems links the most profitable and profit oriented parts of our current economic systems to those who do not seem to benefit from economic systems in their current form, or who are struggling to connect to specific parts of those systems. This is a farm to fork approach that builds networks along the value chain and fosters links between profitable activities and socially marginalized groups. The benefits of investing in SME’s along the value chain and taking a whole system approach are as follows; small businesses are strengthened, household level incomes increase, jobs are created, educational opportunities arise, people have access to nutritious and safe food, investments are made in innovative and green technologies that address climate change. This acts as a buffer when a shock hits and allow for speedy and more solid recovery (both economic, social and food security). This is a new way of thinking and doing business that leverages on the problem of malnutrition and hunger to achieve multiple-gains; economic growth, jobs, education, and a more healthy and productive population that is resilient to shocks, and recovers faster from them when they occur. Read less

Ensure the availability of safe nutritious food for all • The importance of international cooperation and support in the sphere of food safety, compliance with international requirements to increase food export volumes, RA policy and international integration processes, the peculiarities of the RA cooperation with EU and EEU, • Ways of cooperation development amongst government bodies, relations of state bodies with food producing and processing organizations, state policy towards business, • The influence of COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Armenia on food producing and processing organ... Read moreizations, RA economic indices and food industry tendencies, • The installation of food safety international standards and the problem of infrastructures absence, gaps in the food safety legislation and necessary amendments, • The application of ISO22000 standard and the installation of HACCP systems in food producing and processing organizations, RA legislation and sub legislative acts, RA government decisions on and schedules of food safety systems installation, application of simplified food safety models (procedures), • The roles and clarification of functions (risk assessment, monitoring, organizing inspections and state control over food producing and processing organizations) of the bodies responsible for the sector, • Risk-based assessment and inspection of food safety systems, • Agriculture automation and installation of computer technologies, installation of innovative technologies in the RA agriculture sphere and the perspectives of automation, • Management of registration process of state registry – proper application of classifiers, • Presentation of production plan by food producing and processing organizations, • Establishment of databases on economic entities, need of integration of various databases in increasing food industry efficiency, need of inventory processes in agriculture, • Digitization process in cattle breeding and ensuring traceability of food of animal origin in the whole food production chain, the system of animal numbering and census and the RA efforts in installing the system, • Development of laboratory capacities in the food sector, establishment of reference laboratory for food industry, training of laboratory specialists in food sector, • Animal disease prevention by means of digitization of cattle breeding, reducing threats to human health due to food safety, One health concept, • The perspectives of animal numbering and census system installation and current problems, mapping of the pastures and the areas envisaged for animal keeping, • Sanitary-hygienic situation of the food of animal origin and the role of slaughter houses, • The importance of increasing computer literacy in rural communities and the problem of absence of digital technologies • Preparing food safety specialists and organizing their training, the quality of advisory services in the sphere of food safety and the main reasons of shortcomings • Increasing awareness of food industry workers, population (consumers) on food safety. Since food safety is directly and indirectly interconnected with various other sectors of economy, during the dialogue much importance was attached to the coordinated approach towards solution of food safety problems as major outcome of the discussions. Read less

Transparency, inclusiveness and ownership were of fundamental importance to guarantee successful outcomes of the first Dialogue of the Republic of Armenia. Different actors across the entire food systems were identified and selected in the preparatory phase. The expertise, past experiences and knowledge of these actors were taken into consideration in order to develop a common vision for a long-term sustainability of Armenian food systems. In total six panel discussion topics were jointly identified in accordance with the dialogue procedures and targeting the challenges that the actors of Arme... Read morenian food systems are currently facing. Each topic was presented by a selected representative of governmental, international or local organization and discussed involving all panel participants for a collective sharing of reflections on each of the topics discussed. Finally, the results and outcomes of discussions were synthesized to incorporate into main findings. The most important output is that within the frames of this Summit a food systems’ transformation action plan shall be developed to stimulate the emergence of new ideas. In addition, the experience and knowledge of the parties involved will enable to unleash hidden opportunities and develop modern food systems with joined efforts. A major finding is the cooperation especially between the government and private sector actors being ambitious in finding solutions in developing agriculture, taking into consideration environmental issues to build strong food systems. This is important for building strong agricultural production and healthy diets for the population. In this regard, the RA Ministry of Economy presented 8 conceptual actions including the efficient use of agricultural lands. Currently, the 50% of agricultural lands in Armenia is used ineffectively, and the Ministry of Economy has initiated an inventory to find out the objective and subjective reasons of that. The ultimate goal is to ensure the development of land resources and the creation of a land bank, which is envisaged to be implemented with the support of FAO, so that the accurate information shall be provided to the potential investors. In general, the main finding was that the international partners are conducting diverse activities for strengthening food systems in Armenia. In this regard, the European Union Green Agriculture Initiative in Armenia project was presented. The project is officially launched in March 2020 and is funded by the European Union (€ 9,7 million) and co-funded and implemented by the Austrian Development Agency (€ 2 million), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation. The Government counterpart of the project is the RA Ministry of Economy. The project is partially implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia. It aims at increasing investments in sustainable agriculture – demographics, environ aspects, socio-economic aspects. Intervention areas are green ag for sustainable food supply chain; adoption of climate smart, resource efficient, innovative and eco-friendly technologies; involvement of gov and intermediate organizations in promoting sustainable agriculture. Incentives for transition from conventional to green ag – tax incentives for crops, strong extension system, international cooperation and teaching students as future actors. In addition to international actors, the participation of actors in the logistics segment of the chain was essential, since their presence here is already a sign of dialogue. As a result of the discussions, it was important to find out how the private sector and the state can work together, because the more developed is the state, the more infrastructures are created from the private sector. In this regard, the state support programs are crucial. The private support to the state must be systematic, with the right instruments, especially at the initial stage, in order to ensure balanced and harmonious development. Read less

The first two-stage National Dialogue focused on identifying challenges to: (a) ensure the availability of safe nutritious food; (b) boost nature-positive production at scale and, (c) strengthen capacities to resist vulnerabilities and the often changing economic environment; thus, building more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable food systems in Armenia. The discussions were broken into six main challenge areas aligned with the UN Food Systems Summit five “action tracks” as outlined below: 1. Sustainable and effective use of agricultural land. Effective mechanisms for ... Read morebringing unutilized land into production. Improving farm structures. Increase productivity and efficiency. Land market development. Regulation of access and control of agricultural land. 2. Investment in sustainable agricultural practices. Green agriculture for sustainable food supply chain. Adoption of climate smart, resource efficient, innovative and eco-friendly technologies. Involvement of government and intermediate organizations in promoting sustainable agriculture. 3. The role of Public and Private investments in infrastructure and market linkages. Investment in logistics of a value chain. 4. Resilience and nutrition; the role of nutrition in building resilience to shocks, and practical contextual steps to ensure safe, quality, and nutritional food for all. 5. Promotion of inclusive agribusiness models: establishment of financially self-sustaining and diversified seed supply system. Import substitution and enhancing food security through commercialization of seed supply. 6. Agriculture 4.0 and food systems transformation. New stage of technological development and e-agriculture as a key enabler of agricultural and rural development. Finally, each of the two breakout session targeting several issues related to the five “action track” challenge areas. Participants were assigned to one of these challenge areas in two parallel sessions: 1. Food Safety and 2. Resilience in agri-food value chains. Read less

The meeting with the Planning Subcommittee of the Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies was held to exchange opinions related to SDGs and sustainable food systems. Main remarks are as follows: (1) Food Systems Summit would be a very good opportunity to publicize Japan’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to the world. The government should promote every aspect of them including Japan’s food culture. (2) It is important to sow the seeds in the summit for the post covid-19 growth, such as recovery of inbound tourism. (3) I hope the outcome of Food Systems Summit will revital... Read moreize Japan including its agriculture. Read less

In this dialogue, we discussed challenges and opportunities especially related to all Action Tracks.

The meeting with Japanese Consumers’ Cooperative Union (JCCU) was held to exchange opinions related to SDGs and sustainable food systems. The main remarks of the participants are as follows: (1) In order to facilitate consumers' understanding of organic farming, we would like to promote exchanges between producers and consumers and create a place where consumers can experience the benefits of organic farming in cooperation with other organizations. (2) For expanding the land area of organic farming, it is necessary that prefectures and JAs establish a system to provide many farm producers wi... Read moreth the guidance of agricultural management and certification support in an organized manner, whereby encouraging the producers to shift toward organic farming. (3) Organic farming is not the only solution, and it is important for many farm producers to gradually reduce environmental load in their farming. (4) Although the needs and demand for organic farm products are increasing, its supply is still small and there are only a few organic farm products that can be placed in stores, so they are only put on places such as the local product corners or shelves. (5) If you try to use organic raw materials for manufacturing processed food, they are now mostly imported. If the domestic production of organic farming increases, using domestically produced organic materials for manufacturing processed food could be considered. (6) Diet harmonizing with the climate and farming method in each local area is considered to have the smallest environmental load. (7) While some people in Japan are in a situation where they have no food to eat, there is the food loss and waste issue. So, it is necessary to establish a mechanism to connect these problems. It is desirable to have a system that can provide food support to children and students while reducing domestic food loss and waste. (8) Seafood is an excellent source of protein, but consumers cannot eat it with a feeling of security unless problems such as overfishing and other fishery management problems and IUU fishery problems are resolved. Especially for domestic marine products, it is necessary to take measures to prevent IUU-derived products from entering the market. Read less

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

The meeting with Nougyoujoshi Project (female farmers groups project) was held to exchange opinions related to SDGs and sustainable food systems. Please see the attached file for details of discussions.

In this dialogue, we discussed challenges and opportunities especially related to Action Track 3 and 4.

GROUP 1 Surprises on the high burden of malnutrition in the region despite rich and diverse food culture. Strategies for government risk-sharing in agriculture and regulate inputs supply chain. Depowering of smallholder farmers by investment in costly green-houses and mechanized farming. GROUP 3 DIVERGENCIES A. Challenges improving the food system cannot be achieved through the farmers without direct involvement of the various governments as farmers have the potentials to develop if government removes bottlenecks. B. MANAGEMENT OF THE DIVERGENT Need to educate policy makers on their role in se... Read moretting the motion for the expected improvement in food systems. A. Youths poorly motivated in agriculture attributed to change in societal values . B. MANAGEMENT OF THE DIVERGENT Need for reorientation of youths, making agriculture more attractive. GROUP 4 • Cultural and social norms that promote gender imbalance and access to productive assets (Identify and Eliminate) • Credit to unintended beneficiaries (In managing, there is need to establish proper disbursement, management and evaluation mechanisms) • Weak institutional systems hampering effective implementation of government policies. (The need to establish independent monitoring and evaluation structures of government policies, actions and implementations/deliverables) • Science and technology weak link with practices. (Extension service delivery system strengthened) GROUP 5 Mitigation & adaptation process Capacity Building Peace talk/dialogue Read less

Discussion Topic Building resilience to vulnerability, shock & stresses in Food System What actions in the next 3 years will have greatest impact on the Discussion Topic? Need Assessment Sensitization & Verification of Facts Security for farmers What contributions will our organisations make? Training of stakeholders Follow-up of developmental plans Capacity building How will it be possible to tell if these actions are being successful Physical result in the field Livelihood developments Increase in food production and food security Practices in value addition

DISCUSSION TOPIC ADVANCE EQUITABLE LIVELIHOOD What actions in the next 3 years will have greatest impact on the Discussion Topic? • Programs to mitigate the effect of natural disasters and deficiencies. Irrigation, weather forecast be made available • Strengthening human capital development in technical and vocational programs in the agriculture and agro allied sectors • Provision of adequate credit and relaxing the conditions (Bottle Necks) to accessing finance for agriculture and agro allied sector. • Social norms that are discriminatory and limit equitable livelihood should be ident... Read moreified and dismantled • Awareness and mentoring to change the mindsets on gender and age What contributions will our organizations make? • Mobilization and sensitization • Awareness campaigns and mentoring sessions • Develop strategy to eliminate credits for agriculture and agro allied getting to unintended persons (beneficiaries) • Monitoring of input distribution and farms through drones and GPS. And introduction of voucher payment system, which interfaces with farmer and the input suppliers directly. How will it be possible to tell if these actions are being successful? • Monitoring by use or deployment of ICT, video conferencing where possible. • Collect baseline data against which change can be assessed. • Develop monitoring and evaluation plan (M&E plan) Read less

Action track 3: To Boost Nature Positive Production Group What actions in the next 3 years will have the greatest impact on the Discussion Topic? 1. Activities and ways that support increased production and better Food system Governance . i. Mapping and classification of agricultural lands for crop and livestock production, processing and distribution. ii. Agricultural land development iii. Allocation of developed land to farmers iv. Creating new farm settlements, strengthening old settlements v. Encouraging high profile agriculture vi. Engaging farmers in contract farming. Immediate Actions N... Read moreeeded • Organize Agricultural Transformation Business Summit to sensitize stakeholders and showcase the business opportunities, for investments, collaboration • Build capacity of farmers on Climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, modern farming techniques and innovations in value addition • Provide credit facilities to farmers and monitor utilization to avoid diversion • Reorientation and awareness creation for Youths and Women on agribusiness What contributions will our organizations make? This group was made up of professionals : Agriculturists working at ADPs, Ministries of Agriculture and other parastatal, agro- allied industries. The group can : i. Influence government policies for improved food system, increased food production ,processing and distribution ii. Make budgetary provisions to enable the government sponsor the projects iii. Work as extension officers to assist in building the capacity of farmers iv. Work as consultants to investors v. Organize the agribusiness summit HOW WILL IT BE POSSIBLE TO TELL IF THESE ACTIONS ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL? HOW TO MEASURE PROGRESS OR HOW SUCCESSFUL THE PROPOSED ACTIONS ARE The following parameters can be used to assess the level of success achieved: i. Increased utilization of agricultural resources - arable land, water resources, etc ii. Diversification of food production- production of exotic vegetables, fruits etc iii. Reduced “importation “of food items from neighbouring states. iv. Number of people getting involved in agricultural activities. v. Number of extension workers effectively mobilized to build the capacity of farmers. vi. Number of high investors To achieve the above, there is urgent need for: I. Baseline Survey on agricultural activities and potentials to enable the identification and enumeration of stakeholders and resources for improving the food system. II. Create effective and achievable monitoring and evaluation Plan (M&E ) III. Data Banks to be created to record farmers’ population, specialization, scope, outputs , progress etc IV. Regular updates on all data collated. Read less

TRACK 2: SHIFT TO HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS What actions in the next 3 years will have greatest impact on the Discussion Topic? The actions include capacity building/empowerment for farmers especially women, massive enlightenment and nutrition education, improved farm land security, encouraging mechanized farming, research and supply of improved farm seedlings. What contributions will our organisations make? Organizational contributions include buying into the ideas and providing political will power especially the Government and its agencies. Organizations are the stakeholders ... Read moreand will provide the man power and skills needed to actualise the findings/recommendations in this summit. The organisations include the Local Government, Farmers’ Union, NGOs, Nutritionist, Youth bodies, Traditional institutions, Transporters, Academia, Research Institutes, Market women and Women Affairs. These organizations will cooperate will the Government and give the necessary support whenever their services are required. How will it be possible to tell if these actions are being successful?2 The key indicators that will show that the actions are being successful will include if in State, there is observed high percentage/increase in production of vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts. reduction in the cost of food production and consumption, easy access to funding by interested farmers and others, increased percentage of women and youths getting involved in farming and getting loans/grants, reduction in unnecessary levies for farm produces along the food chain by touts, availability of security in farm lands, improved food inputs for farmers such as fertilizers, seedlings and farming tools and good storage and perseveration facilities. Read less

Discussion Topic ENSURE ACCESS TO SAFE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR ALL What actions in next 3 years will have greatest impact on the Discussion Topic?  Provision of infrastructures to ease farm-market movement of produce, preservation, storage and value addition to food produce: Construction of XX kilometer of road per quarter in each LGA.  Timely access to high quality seedlings and other farm inputs: Resuscitate standardization of seed inputs and high quality service, and promote researchers-farmers’ linkage.  Government to invest in Agriculture as a social investment: Use agriculture... Read more to widen coverage and impacts of social protection programmes and creates enabling environment for private investors to complement government efforts.  Increase innovation and adoption of technology through strengthened extension services: Adequate training and support to extension workers, and devise innovative ways to reduce the cost of production in agriculture.  Promote indigenous knowledge and access to research findings and funding: Uncover old age practices and indigenous climate-smart crops to boost supply and affordability of nutritious foods.  Create awareness and promote education on healthy eating and food demonstration: Targets include general public, food vendors, farmers, and food handlers.  Homestead gardening, small livestock rearing and intercropping should be encouraged: To increase access to various types of fruits and vegetables, spices and shrubs, and animal foods that complement household food system.  Focus on production of crops and animal foods where the region has comparative advantage What contributions will our organisations make? Communities: Unfreeze land resources and make them available to individuals with interest in agriculture to boost production and aggregation of farm to encourage mechanized farming. Private sector: Support the farming system and less exploit the system because of weak coordination mechanism. Support farmers to adopt best agricultural practices to improve yields and embrace diversification of production. Civil servants: Support farmers and agro-based actors to enhance access to safe and nutritious foods. Farmers representative: Promote creation of vegetable farming cluster to support production of vegetables Government/Policy makers: Ensure vegetable cluster farmers have access soft loan. How will it be possible to tell if these actions are being successful? Conduct baseline assessment and integrate an effective monitoring and evaluation scheme. Notable progress-indicating landmarks include improved extension workers-farmers’ ratio, engagement of community extension agents, farmers’ increased access to production inputs and other infrastructures, enabling environment for the growth and flourishing of agri-business, and improved youth friendliness of agri-business. Periodic sensitization of the population on healthy eating based on local recipes and increased budgetary allocation to agricultural sector. Read less

• The exploratory dialogue brought to the fore the enormous challenges facing Food systems in the zone and government hopes to integrating some of the recommendation into state development plans going forward. • Nutrition education and awareness need to be intensified at all levels. People eat what is available and what they can afford and do not bother to eat the right type of food. There is general lack of awareness of the importance of healthy living. The general notion that eating well is dependent on ones purchasing power should be addressed. Promoting good food preparation methods th... Read moreat will improve quality of food and encourage consumption of healthy, hygienic, wholesome and nutritious food is an issue that needs to be addressed. Government, food handlers, farmers and actors along the food value chain have a lot to do in this regard. • Creation of awareness on the dangers to health of the consumption of contaminated food either through addition of harmful chemicals, poor processing methods, and other unhygienic and unwholesome practices. • The issue of food wastage in the zone requires immediate attention. Government in collaboration with stakeholders need to support the adoption of appropriate technologies in the harvesting, processing and preservation of food. Supporting small holder farmers to acquire cost effective on farm food storage technologies e.g fish smoking kiln. • The zone will urgently need to address the challenges of farm security, situations that women farmers are raped, killed or kidnapped in the farm has instilled so much fear in the people. Women farmers arrange and paid Vigilante group to provide security while at the farm.ng to the cost of production. • The zone is blessed with arable fertile land with teeming youthfully unemployed population. Engaging these youths into agriculture will increase food production and reduce a lot of vices. • Modernization of agricultural practices in the zone will lead to increased food production. Presently, there is adequate production of basic staples like yam, cassava however, there is need for farmers to be more innovative and adopt new technology around nutrition SMART agricultural practices. Training and retraining of agricultural extension workers to enable them provide innovative extension services to farmers will lead to better yield of farm produce. (b) Actions that Stakeholders will take together 1. Investment in agriculture. Pulling funds together by stakeholders will help provide funds needed by the sector. 2. The issue of insecurity in the area was seen as everybody’s business. Communities should help in securing their areas and providing useful information to security agencies of government. 3. Government and the various stakeholder associations as well as individual food handlers have a role to play in putting an end to the use of harmful chemicals, additives, etc in foods to enhance colour or increase volume. 4. Proper disposal of waste from food is the responsibility of all stakeholders. Most of this waste occur as a result of the perishability of agricultural product. Non availability of off takers, lack of storage facilities, poor food handling results in a lot of waste being generated which are not properly disposed resulting in infection and pollution of the environment. To achieve the necessary transformation of the Food Systems in the South south region, stakeholders at the meeting made the following strategic and immediate transition recommendations - Provision of infrastructure in the rural areas e.g good roads, electricity and boreholes. - Government to see farming as a social investment and improve funding of the agricultural sector. - Increase investment in agricultural research and dissemination of findings. - Capacity building of extension officer to strengthen extension services and all actors along the food chain. - Improve investment in preservation and storage technology. - Public enlightenment and nutrition education of actors along the food chain including women of reproductive age and lactating mothers. This will also minimize some harmful practices identified by the participants. - Increase state allocation to the agricultural sector. - Government to create enabling environment to attract private investors into agricultural sector. Improve access to high quality production inputs – water, improved seedling and fertilizer etc. - Sensitization of the public and regulating activities to promote food safety - Improve security of farm lands so that women and others can go to their farms. - Encourage mechanized farming e.g use of tractors. - Creation of new farm settlements and strengthening of old settlements by providing basic amenities and agro-facilities. Read less