Experts at the 2024 World Agri-Food Innovation Conference called for an innovation-driven green transition in the global agri-food sector to address climate change impacts and reduce carbon emissions. They highlighted the crucial need for technological advancements to sustain food production amid rising global temperatures and emphasized China’s leadership role in combating food insecurity and promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.
At the recent 2024 World Agri-Food Innovation Conference in Beijing, experts in agronomy emphasized the urgent need for an innovation-driven green transition within the global agri-food system to combat carbon emissions and address the detrimental impacts of climate change on agriculture. While some regions have experienced short-term benefits from warmer weather, the overarching unpredictability of climate change has led to significant disruptions in agriculture across Asia, Africa, and South America. Sun Qixin, President of China Agricultural University, articulated that mainstream models predict a 6 to 8 percent decrease in food production for each 1°C rise in global temperatures unless technological advancements are harnessed to counteract these effects. He stressed that the repercussions of a warming climate manifest differently around the world. Despite some regions benefiting from milder conditions, extreme weather variations are increasingly threatening global food security. In advocating for a green transition, it is essential to significantly reduce agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Therefore, investments in research and technology are critical to ensure that these transitions do not compromise output levels. “We must proceed in this direction despite the challenges,” Sun asserted. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated that the agri-food sector, encompassing the complete cycle from food cultivation to consumption, is responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Piggybacking on this notion, Fu Wenge, a professor at China Agricultural University, pointed out that innovative approaches towards green transition need not always stem from groundbreaking scientific discoveries; rather, small, cost-effective reforms in management practices can yield substantial benefits. He highlighted the university’s Science and Technology Backyard project, which facilitates student engagement with smallholder farmers to promote sustainable farming practices and high-yield crop varieties, a model successfully applied in other regions including Africa. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), emphasized the necessity for innovations spanning technological, policy, and institutional levels, encouraging collaborations among nations. “The impact of climate change is multiplying every day, and the only way forward for us is to adopt innovation in its broad sense to really transform the agriculture system,” she advised. The discourse around enhancing food production while minimizing the carbon footprint and environmental degradation was echoed by Patrick Caron, Vice-Chair of the CGIAR System Board, who noted a paradigm shift towards responsible production practices in light of climate change and environmental concerns. Amidst global apprehensions regarding food security, China has emerged as a beacon of hope, with ambitions to elevate its annual food production to approximately 700 million metric tons by 2030. Elouafi recognized China’s pivotal role in augmenting productivity and alleviating poverty, crediting its strategic adoption of technology and agriculture reforms. As World Food Day was recently commemorated, underscoring the urgent need for action on hunger and food security, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reaffirmed China’s commitment to global food security as the world’s largest food producer. She stated that China has taken the lead, providing resources and expertise under the Food and Agriculture Organization’s South-South Cooperation Programme, and seeks to strengthen international collaboration to eradicate hunger.
The urgency for a green transition in the agri-food sector arises from the intensifying threats posed by climate change on food production and global food security. The agri-food system disproportionately contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating innovative solutions and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts. In this context, agricultural experts convened at the World Agri-Food Innovation Conference to discuss strategies to innovate and reform agricultural practices while maintaining food security. China’s efforts and plans to increase its food production capacity further highlight the significance of national policies in addressing global food challenges.
In conclusion, the imperative for a green transition in the agri-food sector is underscored by the urgent need to combat climate change and enhance food security. Through technological innovations and sustainable agricultural practices, it is possible to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on food production. The insights shared at the conference emphasize that collaborative efforts and responsible policies are critical in reshaping the global food landscape for a sustainable future. China’s ambitious food production goals demonstrate the significant role nations can play in addressing these global challenges.
Original Source: global.chinadaily.com.cn
