Increasing capacity, diversifying food production so that it is more accessible to the population are the three main goals that the countries of Latin America at the eleventh conference of its agriculture ministers. The 22 countries recognized that the breakdown of agri-food chains, aggravated by the situation of the armed conflict in Ukraine, generates a “greater economic contraction” for them.
Despite the efforts of the Ibero-American States to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, it added 14 million more people, for a total of 60 million, who suffer food insecurity moderate or severe in Latin America and the Caribbean. Other objectives are access to technological developments, including digitization, and education as a basis for overcoming the challenges of food security and sovereignty, poverty and exclusion.
Roadmap
The Dominican Republic hosted the conference that took place on April 27 and 28, and it also agreed on a roadmap based on a restructuring that addresses challenges such as climate change, social inequality and gaps of gender, with increased investment in science, technology and innovation. In the resolution they called on States and international organizations not to apply unilateral economic, commercial and financial measures that hinder the ability of countries to guarantee the food sovereignty of their peoples.
Another commitment was to further support farmers’ markets to bring their products directly to consumers, foster rural-urban and peri-urban ties, as well as reduce the distances between farm and table to increase agricultural productivity and income of small-scale food producers, especially women.
The farming sustainable and low carbon in the region is also part of the objectives of the countries of Latin America, as well as reduce food loss and waste and increase the efficiency of the agricultural sector. The countries agreed to cooperate with the exchange of knowledge, good practices and experiences in the design of innovative policies and programs, particularly in areas related to farming and sustainable livestock.
Support for Haiti
The Ibero-American countries reiterated to the international community to seek solutions, assistance and technical cooperation to overcome hunger and critical food insecurity that affects the Haitian population. In Haiti the 43% of the population is in a situation food insecurity.
The tags
Work will also be done so that by 2030 all countries in the region have nutrition labeling programs for food and beverage warnings. “Support food and nutrition education programs in schools, communities, and the general public with a view to creating a healthy food culture,” he said to himself.
