The objectives, targets and indicators as stated can be achieved via concerted efforts toward reducing postharvest losses and food waste.
a. 100% access to adequate food all year round
b. Zero stunted children less than 2 years old
c. All food systems are sustainable
d. 100% increase in smallholder productivity and income
e. Zero loss or waste of food.
All 5 of these objectives can be met when food is treated as a precious resource, protected from damage, heat, pests and other environmental stresses, and as the focus of rural development. I believe that if governments and international donors realized the potential for new rural jobs and improved incomes for producers, handlers, processors and marketers that are tied to more appropriate postharvest handling systems, they would be more interested in promoting postharvest development. For example, to use improved handling practices and reduce food losses and waste, we need people who make and sell postharvest tools, goods, supplies, and provide services, repairs, advice, training, etc, and work in production planning, packing, cooling, quality control, storage, transport, processing, marketing, food safety, sales and more. The incredible untapped potential for ag development if food is treated as an important product for nutrition,income and health, and actively protected from waste and abuse is enormous, but this aspect has been neglected for as long as I can remember.
This thematic discussion was led by FAO and WFP in collaboration with “The World We Want”.
The consultation was facilitated by the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)