Маршалловы Острова
Main findings
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
... Подробнееient 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. Скрыть
Направления деятельности: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Ключевые слова: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Women & Youth Empowerment