Future smart food

Li; X. ; Siddique, K.

Future smart food

Rediscovering hidden treasures of neglected and underutilized species for Zero Hunger in Asia

Year of publication 2018

Place of publication Bangkok, Thailand ;

Pages 244

Author Li; X. ; Siddique, K.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-130495-2

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) This publication contributes directly to SO1 and under Regional Initiative on Zero Hunger Challenge. Eradication of hunger and malnutrition is a major challenge in Asia. Dietary and production diversity are recognized factors in strategies to improve food security and nutrition. Currently, agriculture has an over-reliance on a handful of major staple crops. Agrobiodiversity offers huge potentials in addressing malnutrition and agricultural sustainability. Future Smart Food (FSF), often referred to as Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), are rich in Asia. They represent a promising abundance of food resources and constitute the bedrock of the food system diversity. FSF have enormous benefits which are nutrition-dense, climate-smart and economic viable. To tap the potential of FSF, FAO RAP has organized a Regional Expert Consultation on FSF through an interdisciplinary priority-setting exercise, in collaboration with the FAO Special Ambassador for the International Year of Pulses, the University of Western Australia, ICARDA, ICRISAT, MSSRF-LANSA, CATAS-TCGRI, Mahidol University, ACIAR, ICIMOD, CFF, as well as 8 national research institutes. The publication is a concrete follow-up product from the Regional Expert Consultation on Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS) that was held under the Regional Zero Hunger Challenge Initiative by FAO RAP in December 2016. Apart from regional thematic analysis, eight country studies on NUS are prepared and under peer-review by leading experts from agriculture, nutrition and socio-economic disciplines.

Language English

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Book (stand-alone)

Future Smart Food: Rediscovering Hidden Treasures of Neglected and Underutilized Species for Zero Hunger in Asia
Executive Summary
2018

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For centuries people in Asia and the Pacific region have grown and consumed a wide variety of nutritious foods. Unfortunately, more recent generations have slowly but surely changed their diets and have moved away from many of these traditional foods. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working with our Member Countries to reinvigorate both production and consumption of these crops – often referred to as neglected and underutilized species (NUS). This work is consistent with FAO’s role in providing support to countries to meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily, but not limited to, SDG2 which aims to achieve Zero Hunger, specifically to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” by 2030. The Zero Hunger goal implies that no one should be left behind. The Asia-Pacific region is home to most of the world’s undernourished people (490 million). Other forms of malnutrition remain challenging, including stunting and micronutrient deficiencies. While in some countries there are rising rates of overweight and obesity. The issues are manifest in both the demand side and supply side. On the demand side, there is population growth, urbanization, migration, and the changing consumption associated with rising incomes. On the supply side, the combined effects of climate change, declining agricultural biodiversity, water scarcity, land scarcity, and degradation of natural resources are threatening world food security.
Meeting
Round Table on Imagining Future Healthy and Inclusive Food Systems in Asia and the Pacific 2018

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Chinese
French
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Asia and the Pacific is experiencing major demographic shifts and rapid urbanization. E-agriculture technologies (remote sensing, drones, sensors) are emerging, with potentially profound implications for the entire food system and management of the natural resource base. Structural transformation of the economy has also changed the nature of the food security problem. Earlier, many governments thought that producing more staple food was sufficient to improve food security. However, today’s economy, increasingly based on human capital and less on physical strength, requires that policies and programmes promote healthy diets for healthy people. This need for improved nutrition will require shifts in agricultural production and trade patterns. Solving the malnutrition problem in urban areas will also require different solutions than in rural areas, due to the difference in urban and rural food environments. In line with the structural transformation of the economy, farm households also increasingly rely on non-farm income to support their livelihoods and risk management strategies, which has implications for the uptake of new technologies. The demographic shifts, urbanization and structural changes in the economy, coupled with climate change, have made the food security and nutrition problem more complex than in the past. Solutions require input from different stakeholders, both public and private, as well as a range of government ministries, including health, finance, education, environment, trade and social welfare in addition to agriculture. This round table session will encourage delegates to exchange views on these challenges and share suggestions for creating healthy food systems that promote good nutrition and accelerate poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
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Kunisaki Peninsula Usa Integrated Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries system Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems GIAHS) Action Plan
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
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The proposed GIAHS in the Kunisaki Peninsula Usa area is a system where forestry and agricultural production are made possible and are sustain by the connected system of Sawtooth Oak forests and multiple interlinked irrigation ponds.