Global Community of Practice on food losses is launched by Rome-based UN agencies
Rome—Attempts to reduce food losses and
waste, which account for one third of food produced for human consumption, have
received a boost through a new online platform that brings together for the
first time a range of resources and allows stakeholders to share experiences
and best practices.
The
Global Community of Practice (CoP) on Food Loss Reduction is launched jointly
by the three Rome-based United Nations agencies, the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
and the World Food Programme.
The
platform is part of "Mainstreaming Food Loss Reduction for Smallholders in
Food Deficit Areas," an ongoing project by FAO, IFAD and WFP which is
funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The Global
Community of Practice on Food Loss Reduction aims to become a
global reference point that facilitates the sharing of information and linkages
between stakeholders including public entities, civil society and the private
sector.
The
platform allows stakeholders to stay tuned on relevant news and events and
access links to online libraries, databases, repositories with relevant
materials and also social networks. A number of online trainings and e-learning
modules on post-harvest management will also be available on the platform.
"When
food is saved, the resources used to produce it are saved. Reducing waste and
losses by not creating these in the first place should be a priority for
all," FAO Deputy-Director General, Natural Resources, Maria Helena Semedo
said referring to the initiative. Semedo stressed that more than 800
million people in the world still suffer from hunger.
Lost
or wasted food could feed 2 billion people
It is estimated that roughly 30 percent of global food production,
that is 40-50 percent of root crops, fruits and vegetables, 20 percent of
oilseeds, meat and dairy products and 35 per cent of fish, is either lost or
wasted. This amounts to some 1.3 billion tons—or enough food to feed 2 billion
people.
IFAD
Vice-President Michel Mordasini highlighted the importance of farmers in
reducing food losses noting how food losses remain "unacceptably high and
greatly impact smallholder farmers who are most vulnerable".
"The
available technical solutions still have to be made accessible and affordable
to those farming communities. I am therefore encouraged by the fact that the
Global Community of Practice on Food Losses will engage with and tap into the
knowledge of farmers and practitioners, as well as researchers, development
agencies and policymakers," Mordasini said.
WFP
Assistant Executive Director, Ramiro Lopes da Silva, welcomed the launch of the
new platform and noted how WFP's own Post-Harvest Loss Reduction initiative
currently reaches 16,000 smallholder farm families in Uganda, with the aim of
reducing post-harvest losses by 70 percent amongst participating smallholder
farmers.
"Through
the CoP, we look forward to sharing these experiences and best practices with
other organizations involved in similar efforts, Lopes da Silva said.
A
global reference point
By accessing the platform it is possible to stay informed on
projects and programs on food loss reduction and post-harvest management,
including the: Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction,
SAVE FOOD.
Stakeholders
will also be able to participate in online moderated discussion fora. The first of these runs
until 13 January 2015 and covers the topic: Losses occurring along maize supply
chains: levels, causes and solutions promoted. The platform is currently
available in English, French and Spanish.
Pilot
projects
The "Mainstreaming Food Loss Reduction for Smallholders in
Food Deficit Areas" project envisages a number of other outcomes besides
the CoP platform. These include improved handling and storage options within
grains and pulses value chains for smallholder farmers in several pilot
countries: Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
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