A global panel of agricultural experts has advocated for innovative strategies to facilitate a green transition in the agri-food sector to mitigate climate change impacts. While some areas may experience temporary benefits from warmer weather, overall disruptions threaten agricultural productivity. The significance of technological advancements and cooperative frameworks among nations was emphasized during the World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Beijing, where China’s role in enhancing food security was also highlighted.
A global coalition of agricultural experts has emphasized the necessity for an innovation-driven green transition in the agri-food sector to combat rising carbon emissions and address the repercussions of climate change on agricultural productivity. While certain food-producing areas have temporarily benefited from increased temperatures, widespread climate change is causing significant disruption in agriculture, particularly across Asia, Africa, and South America. These insights were shared during the 2024 World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI), held in Beijing earlier this month, organized by China Agricultural University. Sun Qixin, the president of the university and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted that current models predict a decrease in food production by 6 to 8 percent for every 1°C increase in global temperatures, unless innovative technologies are implemented to counteract these impacts. “However, the impact of a warmer climate is not uniform across the globe,” remarked Sun, stressing the dual nature of climate change effects. Some regions may experience beneficial conditions, yet extreme weather events such as severe droughts in Brazil and crop failures in China’s Henan and Shandong provinces underscore the global risks. As the green transition will require considerable reductions in agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, investing in research and technological advances is crucial to ensure these changes do not diminish agricultural output. “We must proceed in this direction despite the challenges,” emphasized Sun. According to estimates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the agri-food sector contributes approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Fu Wenge, a professor at China Agricultural University, stated that innovations fostering a green transition do not necessarily involve groundbreaking scientific advancements; often, small adjustments in management can yield substantial benefits. He referenced the Science and Technology Backyard project, which facilitates student-farmer collaborations to promote advanced crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, demonstrating the potential for effective models that have already been applied in various regions such as Africa. Ismahane Elouafi, executive managing director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), indicated that achieving a green transition necessitates multifaceted innovations encompassing technology, policy reforms, and cooperative frameworks among nations. She asserted, “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 truly transform the agriculture system.” Additionally, experts voiced the importance of raising awareness about increasing food production while minimizing environmental degradation and carbon footprints. Patrick Caron, vice-chair of the CGIAR system board, noted humanity’s historical success in enhancing food production, yet emphasized the current need to adopt a more environmentally sustainable perspective. The discussions coincided with World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, aimed at promoting awareness and actions against hunger. Policymakers acknowledge China’s proactive approach towards food security, with aspirations to elevate its annual food production capacity to approximately 700 million metric tons by 2030, up from 695 million tons in 2023. Elouafi remarked, “I think China really is a bright spot in the global picture, and not only in increasing productivity in a very smart way, but also in reducing poverty and hunger.” Despite recent setbacks in global food security, she emphasized that China’s strategic advancements in agricultural technologies and rural income enhancements are vital to its success, calling for similar initiatives globally, particularly in developing nations. During a news conference, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning highlighted that China, as the world’s leading food producer, cultivates a quarter of the global food supply using less than 9 percent of the arable land, providing sustenance for 1.4 billion people. China is deeply committed to global food security, actively offering aid to nations facing food challenges while sharing agricultural technology to bolster food production capabilities in developing regions. She stated, “China has provided more funding and experts and undertaken more projects than any other developing country under the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s South-South Cooperation Programme.” Mao concluded by reiterating China’s readiness to enhance cooperation on food security to contribute towards a world free from hunger.
The agri-food sector faces mounting challenges due to climate change, which exacerbates agricultural uncertainties and impacts productivity. Innovations in farming practices and a collective commitment to a green transition are crucial to counter these threats. Events such as the World AgriFood Innovation Conference serve as platforms for dialogue among international agricultural experts regarding sustainable practices and innovations necessary for ensuring food security amidst global warming. China, recognized as a pivotal player in global food production, introduces various initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience and productivity, highlighting its commitment to addressing food insecurity worldwide.
The discussion underscored the urgent need for an innovation-driven green transition in the global agri-food sector to tackle the dual challenges posed by climate change and increasing food demands. With experts emphasizing technological, policy, and management innovations as critical components of this transition, the role of countries like China emerges as pivotal in providing solutions and resources. Heightened awareness and cooperative action are essential to ensure sustainable food production practices that not only alleviate hunger but also safeguard the environment.
Original Source: news.cau.edu.cn
