October 30, 2014

The United Nations Ushers In Principles for Food Security and Sustainability

By Shahnaz Mahmud

A landmark signing this month set forth much needed principles for food security and sustainability. Created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and approved by governments around the world, it’s the first time that governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, UN agencies and development banks, foundations, research institutions and academia have come together to agree on what constitutes responsible investment in agriculture and food systems.

“The Principles, and the inclusive process through which they were developed, represent a major achievement in policy convergence for the whole international community,” says Christina Blank, the Chair of the Open Ended Working Group to develop the Principles. Blank is the Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Fund (IFAD) and the World Food Program (WFP). “Together, countries, civil society organizations and private sector organizations have reached the first ever global agreement around a set of Principles which can dramatically change how investments in agriculture and food systems are carried out, and most importantly, who benefits from them.”

Improved food security and sustainability

On October 16th, the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems were approved by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Its main goal is to ensure that cross-border and corporate investment flows will result in improved food security and sustainability and respect the rights of farm and food workers. The guiding principles are inclusive of all types of investment in agriculture and food systems (with regards to production and processing): public, private, large, small. The principles also outline the roles of diverse investors who, in sum, comprise the world’s largest investors in agriculture production. 

By the FAO’s estimation, an average net investment of $83 billion annually will be required to raise agricultural production by 60% and feed the global population, which will exceed 9 billion by 2050.

These efforts have been four years in-the-making. In 2010, the CFS “agreed to address governance of tenure and responsible investment in agriculture as a result of growing concern regarding so called 'land grabbing',” explains Blank. Subsequently in May 2012, the organization endorsed voluntary guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests within the context of national food security. The following October, it developed terms of reference and a timeline for consultation and negotiation, with the aim to endorse the Principles in 2014, she furthers.

Growing need for better food production

It is perceived to be a step in the right direction by industry. A good deal of the spotlight regarding food security and sustainability is on the growing need for better food production in developing regions. “The improvements in living standards that are so welcome, increase the demand for all goods including more and better food,” says Jeffrey Notaro, CEO of Black Sea Agriculture, a firm dedicated to real estate and agriculture in Bulgaria and Romania. “With proper direction many areas could produce a lot more without negative affects to the environment. Investment and education can help these regions and the guidelines are probably intended to steer efforts in the right direction for the local people.”

The guidelines find meaning in other matters. They usher in the first global agreement to collectively address the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and food systems. And access to water – and the rights of potential and existing users of water – comes to the fore. Blank highlights that a draft report on Water and Food Security was created in 2012. Looking ahead to 2015, the Committee will seek to formulate policy recommendations.

The UN’s Blank says the Principles are now in the hands of member countries, civil society organizations, public sector institutions, academia, foundations, and UN Agencies to begin to implement them in their own respective contexts. “CFS will promote the dissemination and use of the Principles and continue to serve its role as a convening body to share experiences and lessons learned,” she adds.

Black Sea Agriculture’s Notaro emphasizes his desire to see countries most in need of “smarter investment and better agriculture management” to receive more attention from the UN action and the "land grab" attempts by countries with pure personal motives to be less inclined to target these areas. “In Bulgaria where we have local expertise and experience, we see the situation as not dire by any means but rather on clear path of steady development,” says Notaro. “We see outside investment capital like ours, that works within the local system, to be very beneficial for the region. Farmers need partners who can help modernize their operations in a very basic sense and allow them the space to start thinking about many of the positive aspirations of farming mentioned in the agreement rather than just trying to become adequately profitable.”