Minister of Agriculture Advocates for Sustainable Agri-Food Models to Guarantee Global Food Security

Strategic Insights -

In a push for greater cooperation and innovation in the face of climate change, Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas has emphasized the need for a transition towards more sustainable, productive agri-food models. This is to guarantee global food security, as he addressed the "V Ministerial Conference on Agriculture between the European Union and the African Union" in Rome. The conference highlighted the climate challenges facing agri-food systems and the importance of international collaboration in finding global solutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Spanish government is committed to modernizing irrigation, investing 2,130 million euros from 2022 to 2027, to address the impact of climate change on water availability and soil health.
  • The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, emphasized the need for a transition towards more sustainable, productive agri-food models adapted to new challenges such as climate change.
  • The conference focused on the benefits of more sustainable models through new technologies, such as genome editing applied to plants to achieve competitive and sustainable agriculture and food industry.
  • Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation through safety nets that protect farmers, particularly small and medium-sized family farms, and to promote robust supply and distribution systems.
  • The African Union is a continental body formed by the 55 member states of the African continent, with a vision of "an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens."

Statistics:

  • 2,130 million euros will be invested in modernizing irrigation from 2022 to 2027.
  • 55 member states make up the African Union.
  • The conference addressed the impact of climate change on productivity, water availability, and soil health in both Europe and Africa.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas (exact quote: "a fully efficient and resilient agriculture")
  • "V Ministerial Conference on Agriculture between the European Union and the African Union" (conference theme: "Resilient food systems and sustainable agricultural value chains")