Eberechukwu Ugadu (NRI-Univ. of Greenwich-UK, RSS-NISS,PMI-Ng)’s Post

BSF in the news: "Closing the loop: building a zero-waste food system". An interesting article from FAO. "[...] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for example, has set up a farm school for the production of black soldier fly larvae. The larvae feed on organic waste and thereby reduce food waste. The dried larvae are used as animal feed in agriculture, and the frass can be turned into organic fertilizer. Companies also can upcycle food by-products into new products, such milk alternatives and nut spreads produced from unused fruit pits, or soups and jams made with surplus vegetables and fruits. These efforts not only benefit the environment but can also create new revenue streams." Full text: https://lnkd.in/d2x7EcQv #agritech #insects #agriculture #food #insectfarming #feed #insectos #insectes #farming #moscasoldadonegro #insecten #insectfarm #foodinnovation #foodindustry #blacksoldierfly #animalfeed #feedindustry #feedingredients #biowaste #organicwaste #wastemanagement #sustainability #circulareconomy #circulaireeconomie #regenerativefarming #salmonfarming #fishfeed #aquafeed #aquaculture #fishfarm #fishfarming #poultry #chickenfarm #chicken #poultryfeed #poultryfarming #farmanimals #alternativeproteins #frass #fertilizer #fertilizers #alternativeprotein 

Meeting the challenges of climate change on food security requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates resilience-building, sustainable practices, technological innovation, and policy reforms. Below are key strategies: 1. Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture • Develop drought,salt and heat resistant crop varieties through biotechnology and traditional breeding to improve crop tolerance to extreme conditions. • Reducing dependency on monocultures by promoting crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry. • Adopt conservation agriculture-Follow minimum tillage, cover cropping, and crop residue retention to improve soil health and water retention. 2. Improve Water Management • Utilize drip irrigation, sprinklers, and other water-saving techniques. • Rainwater harvesting for agricultural use during dry periods. • Protect rivers and rehabilitate natural water systems. 3. Strengthen Food Supply Chains • Enhance storage facilities,and distribution networks to withstand extreme weather. • Encourage community-level production to reduce import dependency. • Reduce post-harvest losses-Improve storage and processing technologies to minimize food waste. 4. Enhance Livelihoods of Farmers • Provide climate-smart advisory services-Use digital tools and data to offer weather forecasts, crop recommendations, and pest control advice. • Provide smallholders with affordable loans and insurance to recover from climate shocks. 5. Leverage Technological Innovations • Precision agriculture-Use drones, sensors, and AI to optimize resource use and monitor crop health. • Develop crops resistance to pests, diseases, and climate extremes through gene additing(CRISPR). • Utilise biogas and solar-powered to reduce carbon footprints. 6. Support Policy and Governance • Integrate food security goals into climate adaptation policies. • Encourage sustainable agricultural practices by taxing carbon emissions and carbon pricing . • Share resources, knowledge, and technology among nations to address global food insecurity. 7. Focus on Ecosystem-Based Approaches • Foster biodiversity and natural ecosystem functions within farming systems. • Restore forests to protect water cycles and reduce soil erosion. • Regulate fishing practices and combat ocean acidification. 8. Educate and Raise Awareness • Promote sustainable consumption patterns and reduce food waste. • Equip farmers with the skills and knowledge to implement climate-smart practices. • Integrate climate and food security topics into education curricula. 9. Adapt Dietary Patterns • Reduced consumption of resource-intensive foods, like red meat, and promote plant-based diets. • Prioritize locally-grown, seasonal foods to reduce transportation emissions. 10. Ensure Social Safety Nets • Emergency food supplies to vulnerable populations during climate-induced crises. • Developing alternative income sources to reduce dependence on agriculture.

Feeding a Growing Population and Enhancing Food Security As the global population surges toward 10 billion by 2050, one of the most critical questions is: How can we sustainably feed everyone? Ensuring food security—reliable access to enough nutritious food—is a challenge we must solve now. To meet the growing demand, we need innovative, sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet. 1. Innovative Farming Techniques Precision agriculture is transforming farming. By leveraging data and technology like drones and sensors, farmers can optimize crop yields and make smarter use of resources. Additionally, genetically modified crops that are resilient to pests and extreme climates offer promising solutions for increasing food production, especially as climate change threatens traditional farming methods. 2. Sustainable Practices Sustainable land and water management are key to long-term food security. Practices like drip irrigation conserve water, while crop rotation and agroforestry improve soil health. By focusing on sustainable methods, we can boost productivity while protecting vital ecosystems for future generations. 3. Reducing Food Waste Each year, nearly one-third of the food produced globally is wasted. This is a staggering loss of resources. Addressing inefficiencies in storage, transport, and consumer habits can significantly reduce food waste. This means more food for those who need it and less environmental harm. 4. Resilient Food Systems Building stronger, more adaptable food systems is crucial for dealing with global crises like pandemics and climate change. Supporting smallholder farmers and investing in local food production can make our food systems more resilient and equitable. 5. Nutritional Equity Food security is not just about quantity but also quality. Ensuring everyone has access to nutritious, affordable food is essential for building healthier communities. Promoting diverse crop production and supporting local agriculture can make a significant difference, particularly for underserved populations. By adopting innovative technologies, practicing sustainability, and promoting food equity, we can ensure a future where everyone has access to safe, nutritious food—no matter where they live.

Daniel White, CEO & Co-Founder of Clean Crop Technologies, Inc. recently joined Martita Mestéy - Durruthy (she/her/ella) of Authority Magazine to share how Clean Crop is helping to create a more resilient food supply chain that is less dependent on fossil fuels. “For customers, we have seen that the $78B crop protection market is in a period of transition. Existing fungicides and other seed treatments are facing increasing regulatory headwinds, and many growers interested in transitioning to regenerative practices find limited options for soil-friendly crop protection products. Clean Crop’s vision is to reduce in-field plant disease pressure through removing contaminants from the seeds before planting that leaves no residues. At scale, we can reduce the need for intensive spraying through reducing disease transmission via the seed from field to field — increasing yields and reducing in-field waste across a wide range of categories.” Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dnDPp5ke

One of the most memorable events of 2024 was my participation in the 46th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), held from November 11th to 15th in Calabar, Cross River State. The theme was “Resilience to Climate Change Towards Sustainable Food Security.” During the council, I joined other non-state actors to support the adoption of two out of the 53 memos considered for implementation. These included: The establishment of a new Crop Health and Protection Division to serve as a desk for collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies in the formulation of guidelines on crop health and pesticide usage. The nationwide implementation of the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS), aimed at improving climate resilience and food security. These initiatives directly align with the work we are doing at GAIN, particularly in the livelihood and nutrition components of the CASCADE project, which I coordinate. Environmental pollution caused by agricultural chemicals has created significant hazards for human health and microorganisms vital for sustaining biodiversity. This has resulted in the loss of natural habitats that underpin our food systems. Organic farming has emerged as a global priority to address these challenges by equipping smallholder farmers with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for resilient and sustainable food production with minimal environmental impact. The NFSHCS, when implemented nationwide, will promote location- and crop-specific sustainable soil health management while encouraging the judicious use of fertilizers. This will strengthen mechanisms for delivering sustainable approaches to food production and healthier diets for rural households through regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions. On the whole, the NCAFS proved to be an essential platform for sharing our work and advancing GAIN’s strategic pillars, including improved food systems and the I-CAN initiative. As the year came to a close on this high note, I am optimistic and look forward to a productive and impactful 2025.

HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT PLANTS AND AGRICULTURAL FOOD SYSTEMS? Climate change impacts plants and agricultural food systems by altering temperature and precipitation patterns threatening agricultural yields and water availability. As a gardener I started to notice these effects on flowering plants and shrubs about 8 years ago. Plants that would flower in late summer/early fall now flower in mid June and native plants and trees became almost impossible to plant or would "disappear" due to increased temperatures. The same can be said of agricultural plants threatening yields and water retention. I've never been to Mexico but have read coffee production has been threatened because of high temperatures causing farmers to grow in the shade. This leads to socio-economic impacts on vulnerable communities necessitating strategies for resilience and sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security. in 2024 sustainable agricultural practices are more crucial than ever to insure a resilient and thriving food system. There are some practices that will help combat climate change, protect the environment and support all farmers to ensure long term food security. COMPOST. Composting focuses on enhancing soil health. By improving soil porosity and supplying nutrient dense soil plants can resist the effects of heat and heavy rains. Good soil makes stronger plants. COMPOST TEAS. Compost tea adds microorganisms to the soil - the life of any soil. Microorganisms and good bacteria make up what is known as the "food-web" and are the source of how plants are able to uptake nutrients. Most, or all, microorganisms are resilient to excessive water and extreme heat. Some (archaea) are known to thrive in the most extreme temperature situations- Antarctica and in deserts and high heat geysers. The process of making compost tea is quite easy. We need to help farms and farmers and ensure food security.

A useful summary of the UK’s food supply situation, from the 2024 Food Security report. Why is so much of our agricultural land (85%) being used to feed animals? And why is so little of our fruit locally produced? Lots to improve on here, in terms of sustainability and food system resilience.

Very well said, Juliana Rodrigues Gadelha! Similar to what already happens in other very competitive food markets, such as the US, aquaponics should already be taking its place in the market for certified organic food products in Europe. Due to its circularity, its reduced use of resources, such as water, its organicity and all the other virtues associated with it, the creation of standards for this type of certification in the EU would be more than deserved, if we effectively intend to have a fairer and more sustainable economy and food system. #FarmToFork #foodsystem #FoodInnovation #aquaponics #organicfarming #organicfood #certifiedorganic #OrganicAquaponics

It’s been a bumper few days for food policy in the UK, with Defra announcing the development of a new food strategy earlier this week, which will support a 25 year roadmap for future Farming, and yesterday published their 2024 UK Food Security Report! Here are a few of the key findings from the Food Supply Chapter of the Report: - 62% of food supply was produced in the UK in 2023 - Imports from the EU decreased from 28.4% of the food supply in 2018 to 22.5% in 2021 - Extreme weather has really impacted production of many crops (22% decrease in production of wheat in 2024 vs 2023) - A whopping 85% of agricultural land in the UK was used for grazing animals or for producing animal feed in 2023 - The equivalent of 3% of agricultural land registered to agri-environmental schemes that may restrict food production to support long-term biodiversity and sustainable production 🍎 Fruit and vegetables 🍎 - 16% of fruit was produced in the UK. Although this has doubled since 2003, there is still a long way to go. - Proportion of domestically produced vegetables declining since 2003. - Extreme weather, particularly combinations of heavy rainfall and extended dry, hot periods over the year, affecting both planting and harvesting, and disease in crops. - “Consumers in the UK demand access to fresh produce all year round, including tropical and out-of-season produce.” - To increase domestically produced fruit and veg, and better support local farmers, we need to reflect on our expectations to have out-of-season produce at any time. 🌱 Environmental impacts 🌱 - Includes more detailed assessment of biodiversity impacts compared to previous reports. Currently this focuses on England, but working to expand this to all of the UK. - 70% reduction in an all-species indicator (1,177 species) since 1970. - 24% decrease in pollinators since 1980 (using bees and hoverflies as indicators). - Approximately ¼ of the land in the UK is included in an agri-environmental scheme. - The land classification scheme, used to determine what area of land is suitable for growing which types of food, is under review. Overview of agri-environmental schemes highlighted in the devolved nations - England; Environmental Land Management Scheme (including Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship). - Wales: set out Sustainable Land Management Objectives in legislation. The Sustainable Farming scheme will be launched in 2026. - Scotland: the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme supports existing frameworks; Climate Change Plan, Scotland’s Biodiversity Framework 2022-2045. - Northern Ireland: Environmental Farming Scheme, will be replaced by a Farming with Nature Package, which will focus on reversing trends in nature decline. A New programme of Farm Support and Development is being developed. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/djE7fHke

Did you know that only 2% of England’s farmland is dedicated to growing fruit and vegetables? 🍏 This is a huge highlight of the urgent need to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports While I often talk about the benefits of growing your own produce, expanding home-grown fruit and veg is crucial not just for food security, but also for public health and minimizing environmental impact. I think it’s time we prioritise sustainable practices to create a more resilient food system, don’t you? https://lnkd.in/eZGTx7YU