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• Political economy is very controversial, but there is need to understand why funding is not available in Africa. In particular, the Ministries of Finance in most African countries have indicated that food security is not a priority as captured in their National Development Plans. A mind set change is needed in general that will demonstrate commitment to the targets set by the international and continental frameworks • Gene editing is not well understood as it is confused with GMO technology. Africa needs sensitization of these technologies.

a) Research and Innovation i. African agricultural systems need to adopt to the tripartite arrangement (Famers-universities-Private sector) which is has been seen to be effective in Burkina Faso being championed by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation-GFAR (https://www.gfar.net); ii. Gene editing is very important to Africa, as it will help in alleviating many challenges the continent faces. However, there are key issues to take into consideration: • Gene editing has to be discussed and debated before the UNFSS in October 2021, because of possible tension which may arise ... Подробнееduring the summit between the pro and those against; • Gene editing is not well understood, many are confusing it with GMO technology. Africa in general lacks sensitization of this technology (the Africans are caught in between the fight of USA and Europe who are advocating for biotechnology and agro-ecology respectively); and, • Africa maybe not well equipped for this because of insufficient funding. iii. Participatory approach is a possible intervention where farmer organisations are encouraged to team up with scientists and submit competitive proposals for funding. iv. Increase in public investment is required for research if significant progress is to be made; v. Political economy is very controversial, but there is need to understand why funding is not available in Africa in particular: • The Ministries of Finance in most African countries have indicated that food security is not a priority as captured in most their national development plans. A mind set change is needed in general; and, • There is limited government investment in agricultural transformation in many African countries and this has to change. • There are so many bottlenecks in Africa, which need to be addressed. vi. Universities need to mobilize themselves to bring practical approaches to food security. b) Re-Imaging Agricultural Rural Advisory Services in a dynamic global food system • There is a need to recognize that agricultural extension, although important, is the weakest part of our agricultural systems. Currently, there is very low investment in rural advisory services. Government support is needed to facilitate access to agricultural services in remote areas. This will require institutional capacity building to empower farmers to take the lead and learn better from each other for example through farmer field schools; • There is a need for a change in the mindset and to develop and adopt digital advisory services. • For efficient advisory services, the different categories of farmers need to be considered and engage private sector. For the private sector, there is a need to; (a) develop commercially viable models; (b) foster development of digital services; and, (c) facilitate access to venture capital; • The approach to Rural Advisory Services should integrate pluralistic, private, digital, demand driven and accountability aspects; • To address non-technical aspects of agricultural research such as access to relevant knowledge, access to capital, secured land rights, infrastructure, and lack of appropriate policies or enforcement structural, financial and political factors, Governments must invest more in these structural, financial and political aspects. c) Fostering global partnerships for collective response • Capitalise on the large number of scientists over 2000 in the AGRINATURA Network to form partnerships for research in food systems and exploit the best ways to change food systems by deploying specific skills sets; • Harnessing information from studies undertaken by AGRINATURA on trends technologies, conflicts and globalisations to strengthen food systems; • Need for intensified collaboration for knowledge creation; • Breakdown the complexity of food systems and make them understandable to common people. Higher education should focus on acquiring complementary skills and constantly innovate how we learn; • Emphasise International cooperation, translational approaches and multi-stakeholder platforms in research for development Скрыть

• Africa has potential to feed the whole world if it puts in place structural, financial, policy and ST& I mechanisms to take advantage of the vast arable land (60% of the world’s arable land), fresh water resources and the young population • Emphasize sustainable systems encompassing all the three angles of sustainability (economic, social and environmental sustainability). This can be strengthened through transdisciplinary research approaches to find the most appropriate solutions to address foods. • Investment in international research and development is required in order to str... Подробнееengthen global foods systems by reinforcing partnerships for advanced research capacity; international development, supporting partnerships to build capacity and advance global science, greater student exchange and globally connected campuses. • There is a need for Governments to be better equipped to address food systems trends and disruptors such as urban growth, increasing population and changing market systems. Future market systems should be more inclusive, sustainable and resilient, more functional and having more social value by mainstreaming gender and youth. • E-agriculture is the future for improved sustainable agriculture and food security, information access to markets, better access to climate information and higher levels of inclusion in the agriculture and rural environments. • Emphasised the need to change the training approach to produce the required quality of agricultural professionals and make agriculture attractive to students as a profession. Agriculture training should foster transformative learning through elements such as entrepreneurship, ethics and care for nature. These values are key for developing agriculture leaders to support the transformation of future food systems. • Opportunities should be extended to economically disadvantaged students to acquire technical and scientific skills in agriculture. This will widen participation to transform food systems and uplift the welfare of families. • The need to redefine research agenda with emphasis on Climate, Conflict and COVID-19 (3Cs) in food security. • There is a need to recognize that agricultural extension, although important, is the weakest part of our agricultural systems. Currently, there is very low investment in rural advisory services. Government support is needed to facilitate access to agricultural services in remote areas. This will require institutional capacity building to empower farmers to take the lead and learn better from each other for example through farmer field schools; • There is a need for a change in the mindset and to develop and adopt digital advisory services. • For efficient advisory services, the different categories of farmers need to be considered and engage private sector. For the private sector, there is a need to; (a) develop commercially viable models; (b) foster development of digital services; and, (c) facilitate access to venture capital; • The approach to Rural Advisory Services should integrate pluralistic, private, digital, demand driven and accountability aspects; • To address non-technical aspects of agricultural research such as access to relevant knowledge, access to capital, secured land rights, infrastructure, and lack of appropriate policies or enforcement structural, financial and political factors, Governments must invest more in these structural, financial and political aspects. Скрыть

The focus of the event was to review existing food systems, emerging and future trends and to identify key actions and policies needed to strengthen the African higher education system, agricultural research and development towards an improved global food system that is inclusive and sustainable. During the discussion, there was a detailed exploration of: 1. Current and emerging food systems trends from the different regions of the world including perspectives from Africa, North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and China; and, 2. Key actions for strengthening food systems transformation fo... Подробнееr increased productivity, inclusivity and resilience in line with UN Food Systems Action tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5. Скрыть

Participants had diverged views on the kind of intervention that would best address inequalities in food systems. These views resonated around earth-centered legislations, policy, and rights advocacy, providing incentives, redefining academic curriculum, and empowering the most vulnerable.

Human rights advocacy: Recognition and full implementation of the right to food and right to a healthy and sustainable environment. Most participants acknowledged the fact that our current food system isn’t delivering on the human rights obligations to fulfill the right to adequate and nutritious food given the present millions of people still suffer from malnutrition and obesity globally. Our present food systems are causing incredible damage to the environment (increase GHG emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and the increased spread of infectious diseases). One of the powerful ways... Подробнее to achieving a just and equitable food systems transformation is through the implementation of the rights to adequate food. Earth-centered Law: Promote Ecocentric laws through influencing legislation on: • nature’s protection by giving legal status to particular plant species for the example The White Earth Band of Ojibwe -Wild Rice • as a tool to oppose the most destructive agricultural practices for example ecocides. Education, empowerment, capacity building, and training: Education was identified as a key component in achieving mindset transformation. • Align academic programs with SDGs and toward the country’s specific vision e.g flagship program on dryland agriculture offered by Lukenya University in Kenya. • Empower and build the capacity of small-scale farmers in agriculture ecosystem management, fortified youth into agribusiness, and climate-smart agriculture technologies. Policy advocacy: Guarantee and support the adoption of ambitious and stringent national policies that ensure inputs, finance, access to markets, and fair trade to reach the most vulnerable producers and consumers (women, indigenous people, persons living with disabilities, and young people). Agricultural Development: Food systems improvement pathways should be built on the basis that agriculture is a key component of global food and environmental sustainability as well as an essential part of the solution. Without agriculture, there is no food, so the assurance that all people have access to enough food starts with healthy and productive agriculture which is able to provide for both the well-being of producers and rural communities, as well as enough surplus for feeding the rest of society. Strategic Partnerships: Learn and collaborate with existing right-based across the globe. Fostering north-south and south-south cooperation that enables free technology transfer for agro-food development. Investment: Investing in the use of innovative technology that addresses cross-sectoral environmental challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and droughts e.g RussKap’s Atmosphere Water Generators for drip irrigation and Insitu potable drinking water supply. Raise awareness: Carry out awareness campaigns on the potentiality of right-based approaches as a solution to the world’s greatest challenges. Скрыть

• Acknowledged the fact that Inequalities in food systems are complex issues underpins by poverty, beliefs, and climate change. It must be tackled by addresses the root causes which are more or less country-specific. • All rights are interconnected (human rights, natural rights, rights to a healthy and sustainable environment, etc) except for corporate rights which are frequently prioritized over the rights of people. We must move from theory to action by initiating practical pilot projects within our respective communities. • To further research, take concrete actions, and deepen our kn... Подробнееowledge on how the rights of nature can be applied to promote sustainable agro-food systems. • A general call for the recognition and full implementation of the rights to food and the right to a healthy and sustainable environment as a catalyst to the transformation of food systems. • The need to view nature as a legal entity or person with inherent rights to exist, evolve, flourish and regenerate as well as the rights to restoration, recovery, and preservation. Скрыть

The dialogue focused on conceptualizing a rights-based approach through the identification of priorities for action that could strengthen the most vulnerable, safeguard the environment and ensure equitable Food Systems for the future.