UK Launches New Centre to Tackle Global Food Security and Climate Change

Strategic Insights -

The UK government aims to address the intertwined challenges of global food security and climate change by harnessing the country's strengths in science and technology. A new UK-CGIAR Centre has been launched, with the goal of strengthening ties between CGIAR and UK science institutes. The Centre will facilitate cutting-edge research and innovation, benefiting developing countries through access to new ideas and technologies. The launch of the Centre coincided with the UK Global Food Security Summit, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a range of UK-CGIAR projects, including the expansion of the Fruits and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) project into an Expanded Network with UK Partners (FRESH-EN UP).

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK-CGIAR Centre aims to strengthen ties between CGIAR and UK science institutes, benefiting developing countries through access to cutting-edge research ideas.
  • The Centre has been launched with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), with the goal of harnessing the UK's strengths in science and technology to tackle global food security and climate change.
  • The launch includes the announcement of a range of UK-CGIAR projects, including the expansion of the FRESH-EN UP project, led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
  • The FRESH-EN UP project will bring new perspectives, capacity, and expertise to develop and test innovative strategies to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in Tanzania, especially among nutritionally at-risk populations.
  • The project will focus on the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices, measures to reduce food loss and waste, and food environment and demand-generation interventions.
  • UK-CGIAR has connected LSHTM with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) to leverage each organization's expertise.
  • A wider set of partners will be involved through co-development workshops, with the goal of galvanizing action on global food insecurity.
  • The Centre will be directed by CABI, which will manage the day-to-day operation of the Centre, liaising with other core members, including the FCDO, CGIAR, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (representing UK Research and Innovation).

Statistics:

  • More than a quarter of Tanzania's children under the age of five exhibit stunting.
  • Reduced crop yields are affecting the incomes of Tanzania's small-scale food producers.
  • The cost of nutrient-dense foods in Tanzania has increased, with many Tanzanians lacking access to sufficient safe and nutritious foods.

Sources:

  • "Launch of new UK-CGIAR Centre includes LSHTM's FRESH-EN UP project focused on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in Tanzania" (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
  • Original Press Release: Nov. 22 -- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine issued the following news release: (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
  • "I'm delighted to witness the launch of this initiative. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen CGIAR's existing ties with the UK's leading scientific institutes and forge new partnerships." (Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, Chair, CGIAR System Board)
  • "We're launching a new UK-CGIAR Science Center to drive cutting edge research on flood tolerant rice, disease resistant wheat and much more. These innovations will reach millions across the poorest countries as well as improving UK crop yields and driving down food prices." (Prime Minister Rishi Sunak)