Rome, Italy
18 November 2024
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture hosted a Special Event focusing on the essential relationship between crop diversity and the food processing industry. The event preceded the Tenth Meeting of the Standing Committee on the Funding Strategy and Resource Mobilisation and took place in the Sheikh Zayed Centre at FAO Headquarters in Rome.
“The food processing industry is a significant stakeholder in our mission to advance the conservation and use of plant genetic resources,” said Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty. “Industry actors have the capability, expertise and resources to contribute positively in this regard, including through procurement and investment decisions that support plant genetic diversity. We need to explore areas and opportunities for collaboration and fully develop those partnerships.”
The event provided insights into global trends in the food processing industry and markets, as well as examples or models of business practices and civil society initiatives based on principles of promoting and sustaining crop diversity. Through dynamic dialogue, panelists explored the links between the food processing industry and crop diversity, to help identify entry points for engagement. The event was attended by over 50 participants and was also webcast live to an online audience of over 120 people.
Innovative models of engagement
Panelists and participants included private sector and food processing industry representatives, food scientists, market analysts, genebank managers, civil society and PGRFA experts. Reflections on agrifood systems transformation thinking were supported by grounded examples, with presentations highlighting innovative models such as:
- The AJE Group’s Amazon-based superfruit juice production model, which preserves biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods for Amazonian communities.
- ProSpecieRara’s certification system, which promotes traditional crop varieties in supermarket shelves while ensuring benefit-sharing agreements.
- The Slow Food Coffee Coalition’s inclusive approach, which brings together actors across the coffee value chain to align on principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and environmental preservation.
Fostering partnerships and tailored communication
Other panelists commented on practical approaches to foster partnerships, with Director of NordGen, Lise Lyse Steffensen, showcasing mutual benefits of the collaboration between the genebank and large food companies such as Oatly (plant-based alternatives to dairy products). "The food processing industry has an interest in what we have to offer, whether we have it written in a strategy or not,” she said.” Genebanks have the best knowledge on the accessions and can select the varieties that match the criteria of a food company. We get funding and data in return.”
Jaspreet Stamm, Director of External Affairs at the Crop Trust, shared recommendations on engaging the private sector based on the experience of Crop Trust, and added: "We need to provide clear pathways for industry involvement and tailor our communications and narratives to demonstrate value for biodiversity, business and consumers."
Secretary General of Slow Food, Marta Messa, highlighted the need for diverse collaborations, and said "Global food system transformation requires all actors. Laws and frameworks alone cannot drive change; cultural and systemic shifts are equally essential."
The Treaty’s Food Processing Industry Engagement Strategy
The Special Event is part of the implementation of the Food Processing Industry Engagement Strategy of the International Treaty, which was adopted in 2022. This strategy aims to establish long-term, effective partnerships between the Treaty and the food processing industry to promote the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA.
Participants agreed on the need to strengthen collaboration frameworks to enable industry involvement in addressing pressing global challenges. Feedback from the event informed the discussions of the Tenth Meeting of the Treaty's Funding Committee (19-22 November 2024).
Topics
Species
