How can you build resilient agri-food supply chains?

Building resilient agri-food systems involves a comprehensive & sustained approach addressing the multifaceted challenges these sectors face. 1. Climate-Smart and Regenerative Agriculture: More resilient & diverse crops (both within species (e.g. multiple hybrid choice), as well as across species (e.g. planting sorghum and millet as well as shorter maize)) reduce the risk of total crop failure; Agro-forestry and 'green walls'; Efficient irrigation techniques; & rainwater harvesting. 2. Market and Supply Chain Adaptations. 3. Financial Instruments & Insurance 4. Policy Support and Institutional Frameworks: 5. Inclusive policies, Cross-sectoral Coordination 6. Community Engagement & Capacity Building: Knowledge Sharing, Social Capital

Construir cadeias de suprimentos agroalimentares resilientes é um desafio complexo, mas fundamental para garantir a segurança alimentar, promover a sustentabilidade e enfrentar as mudanças climáticas. A resiliência nessas cadeias significa a capacidade de prevenir, se adaptar e se recuperar rapidamente de desordens, sejam elas causadas por fatores naturais, como secas e inundações, ou humanos, como conflitos, tais quais os que estão ocorrendo atualmente, e as crises econômicas.

Es imprescindible poder desarrollar cadenas diversificadas, donde las mismas puedan comprender la importancia que posee para la empresa dicha condición. Del mismo modo, esa comprensión puede apoyarse en contratos cubiertos por cláusulas de seguros de caución, que permitan realizar contratos de mediano plazo y de este modo, poder cubrirse mutuamente.

Involve key stakeholders, including suppliers, distributors, and government agencies, in the vulnerability assessment process. Their insights can provide a comprehensive understanding of potential risks and vulnerabilities.

En este sentido, una vez establecida la estabilidad mediante el desarrollo de contratos estables cubiertos por cláusulas de Caución, se hace necesario trabajar en la estabilidad de los miembros de la cadena, es decir, que puedan acceder en un período relativamente corto, a crédito apalancado por instituciones que vinculen a ambas organizaciones, el acceso a tecnología y una colaboración de triple impacto en su comunidad.

Embrace sustainable agriculture practices that promote resilience, such as regenerative farming, crop diversification, and water conservation. Investing in sustainable agriculture can help build a more robust and adaptable agri-food supply chain in the long term

Así como la empresa debe desarrollar la resiliencia y diversificar, esta característica debe ser factible para los proveedores, acompañando procesos de crecimiento y diversificación de sus productos.

Invest in financial instruments or insurance products that can help protect against financial risks such as fluctuating commodity prices, currency exchange rates, or extreme weather events. Building financial resilience can help sustain operations during challenging times.

Implement digital tools and software solutions to streamline supply chain operations, improve visibility, and enhance responsiveness to disruptions. Innovations in supply chain management can help reduce costs, minimize waste, and improve overall performance.

Regularly review and update supply chain processes and protocols to ensure they remain effective and efficient in the face of changing market dynamics and evolving threats. By continuously evaluating and refining the supply chain, organizations can build resilience and adaptability to navigate future challenges successfully.

Develop contingency plans and conduct scenario planning exercises to prepare for potential disruptions, such as natural disasters, political instability, or global pandemics. Having a proactive approach to risk management can help minimize the impact of unexpected events on the supply chain.

Capacity building plays a crucial role in strengthening these systems. This is what we are doing: Implementing Climate smart agricultural training programs, including sustainable farming techniques, efficient water management, soil conservation, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. Provide farmers with access to weather forecasts, market prices, agricultural best practices, and digital extension services. We are facilitating market linkages by connecting farmers with buyers, processors, & exporters. Strengthening farmer groups empowers farmers to share resources and knowledge.

In my experience, it would be useful to ensure that value chain actors - especially smaller players - have access to insurance products that derisk lending to them through partial risk guarantees and blended finance products. Because if you take a poll of policymakers & project implementers promoting access to finance, would they themselves allow their bankers to lend their deposits without some level of insurance? I think not.

Start with the buyer- once you are clear on their requirements- whether quality, quantity make sure this is fulfilled. Then bring in the financial institutions- having buyers can de-risk the transaction- eventually reducing interest, building trust.

In my line of work - goat production and value addition - building a resilient agri-food supply chain begins when the decision to produce goats is made. It begins at the farm, or more specifically, in the mindset of the producer. The producer is the anchor of a resilient agri-food supply chain. The needs of the producer need to be given the attention it seriously deserves. When the producer is left out of the equation, its a spell for disaster.