BRASILIA: Top agricultural experts from the G20 engaged in discussions on food security and strategies for climate change adaptation. During these discussions, the tragic occurrences in Southern Brazil were highlighted as a poignant example of the profound consequences stemming from global warming.
The G20 agriculture leaders convened to address critical issues of food security and the adaptation of agricultural systems to climate change, with the shared goal of ensuring a more equitable and hunger-free future for generations to come. Hosted by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária – Embrapa), the meeting concluded May 17 at the G20 headquarters in Brasília. This gathering is part of the G20 -MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists), an annual summit bringing together heads of agricultural research organisations affiliated with ministries of agriculture or equivalent bodies across G20 countries. It serves as a platform for high-level discussions c
entered on agricultural research and development, aimed at raising global awareness of food security challenges and fostering collaborative international initiatives.
Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA, articulated, ‘We are witnessing a global nutritional transition. Our challenge is to produce more nutritious foods that cater to the preferences of a discerning consumer base concerned with nutrition, health, and food provenance, all while advancing sustainability.’
The recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul were underscored by all meeting participants as a poignant illustration of climate-related tragedies necessitating scientific intervention. The Brazilian delegation advocated for collaborative efforts in the medium and long term to rehabilitate arable lands and mitigate future calamities.
Marcelo Morandi, Head of International Affairs at EMBRAPA, highlighted the priority of fostering a sustainable and resilient agriculture. He emphasized, “Our goal is to ensure sufficient quantity and quality of food pro
duction to combat hunger and poverty. This remains our primary focus throughout the three-day meeting.’
Science, technology, and innovation play vital roles not only in fostering the advancement of sustainable practices but also in guiding public policy decisions. Over the past five decades, technological advancements in the agricultural sector have facilitated a remarkable increase in productivity, soaring from 140% to 580%, alongside a significant expansion of land usage from 20 to 70 million hectares (from 49.4 to 173 million acres). Emphasising this progress, the president of EMBRAPA noted during the event’s opening that ‘such achievements wouldn’t have been feasible without the invaluable support of approximately five million rural producers throughout the country.
Source: Emirates News Agency