Transforming Food Systems for Rural Prosperity

This seminar will include a presentation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 2021 Rural Development Report; Transforming Food Systems for Rural Prosperity with Satu Santala, Associate Vice President, External Relations and Governance, (IFAD) and Ms Romina Cavatassi, Lead Economist, (IFAD). The report focuses on rural livelihoods in the context of food systems transformation. It promotes equitable livelihoods for rural people, who are front and centre in transforming food systems, alongside the need to improve nutrition and protect the environment

Today’s food systems have failed to make nutritious diets accessible and affordable to the poor in a sustainable way. This is particularly relevant today, as the current conflict in Ukraine is likely to cause a spike in food prices and cause food insecurity worldwide. Over the past 70 years the global food system has become less efficient at its primary objective – delivering nutritious food sustainably. A focus on producing high-calorie grains has pushed up yields and cut prices of staple foods. The consequences include food waste, malnutrition and obesity, and environmental degradation. The UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 called for a transformation of the world’s food systems so that they deliver adequate, nutritious diets for all.  Food systems must be reshaped to provide decent livelihoods for all who grow, process, store and market our food.

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. IFAD has a unique mandate, focusing exclusively on rural areas and targeting the poorest and most deprived segments of the rural population.

Agenda

Monday, 28 March, 13:30 – 15:00 CET

• Welcome and introduction

Ms True Schedvin,  Head of Unit for Global Sustainable Economic Development, Sida (TBC)

• Introduction of the Seminar by moderator

Mr Matthew Fielding,  Acting Head of Project Communications, Stockholm Environment Institute

• Presentation of the report

Introductory Remarks by Ms Satu Santala,  Associate Vice President, External Relations and Governance, IFAD

Presentation by Ms Romina Cavatassi, Lead Economist , IFAD

• Panelist 1

 Carl Johan Lagerkvis, Professor of Business Economics and Head of Department of Economics, SLU

• Panelist 2

The Federation of Young Swedish Farmers – LRF

• Questions and dialogue with the audience
• Response and Comments from IFAD
• Closure of the seminar
• Coffee