'Corona changes food and agricultural systems'

The corona pandemic has made it necessary for food and agricultural systems to change, a group of 14 researchers said in a European report. According to them, only in this way is it possible to provide any form of food security anywhere in the world.

The corona crisis has exacerbated challenges in food security and production, a new report commissioned by the European Commission shows. As a result of the virus, the global food supply has been disrupted and many prices have skyrocketed. And while the increases in Europe are minimal (2% to 5%), countries such as Argentina and Myanmar are experiencing extraordinary price increases (15% and 20% respectively). "In low-income families, the combination of rising prices and homeschooling is why food security has become an issue."

According to the researchers, the above problems also come on top of the uncertainties that already existed before the crisis, such as the fact that 8% of the world's population is malnourished and food production is responsible for 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste still plays a major role in this. About 33% of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. the report.

Change in the system
According to the researchers, society and the economy can only emerge more resilient from the corona crisis if there is more diversity. "The European Union must support food diversity by acquiring new knowledge, developing new technologies and focusing on ecosystem services and environmental policies," reads one of the opinions. Organic farming should also be encouraged, according to the experts. "This way, farmers can work to improve soil quality, while the European Union can actively support circular food systems at the same time."

Not only must the agricultural and food system change, the European Union must also focus more on society. Another advice is therefore: "The European Union should focus on a decrease in the average BMI and the decrease in the average percentage of overweight people (51,8%). Europe should also set up a study to improve diet We currently eat 2,5 to 3 times more meat than is recommended, which affects not only our health but also that of our planet," the authors write.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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