Collaborative efforts key to addressing food security challenges: Experts

Experts have said that through shared responsibilities and collaborative efforts, it is possible to further strengthen foresight potential to ensure sustainable food system transformation in Bangladesh and beyond.

This was the key message at the 4th Foresight4Food Workshop held on Tuesday in Savar, Dhaka.

The Foresight4Food initiative and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), led by the government of Bangladesh, organized this global event, which will continue until Friday.

At the event, speakers emphasized the need for shaping food systems to overcome existing challenges. This requires a holistic, evidence-driven, policy formulation approach within the country with involvement from multiple stakeholders.

Dr Ruhul Amin Talukder, senior advisor of GAIN Bangladesh, focused on shaping policies in Bangladesh.

He said, “We need comprehensive investment in technological research, policy extension, climate-smart storage, logistics, and content development to address gaps in the country.” 

Dr Ruhul Amin also suggested exploring public-private partnership (PPP) proposals for such investments.

The week-long workshop brings together foresight practitioners, users, researchers, and food systems experts from across the globe to foster stronger collaboration and identify opportunities and challenges for enhancing foresight in food systems transformation.

Food insecurity

Keynote speaker Jim Woodhill, lead of the Foresight4Food Initiative at the University of Oxford, noted the significant proportion of the population that still suffers from food insecurity. 

He warned that poor diets could cost the global economy almost 3% of its wealth per year by 2035, a similar impact to that of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Woodhill emphasized the collective commitment to harness foresight methodologies and drive systemic changes in alignment with both national and global priorities to foster nutrition-resilient communities.

Dr Rudaba Khondker, Country Director of GAIN in Bangladesh, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts. 

Other keynote speakers, including Dr Amina Maharjan, Intervention Manager- Foresight and Policy Options from ICIMOD and Dr Ravi Khetarpal from APAARI, discussed food systems transformation in Asia in their address at the event. 

The four-day workshop aims to deepen the understanding of effective foresight approaches, methods, and tools, and to explore their application in food systems transformation.

Additionally, the workshop seeks to explore how foresight and scenario analysis can most effectively contribute to societal understanding, policy development, innovation, and systemic change.

Climate resilient agriculture

Dr Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the Eighth Five-Year Plan (2020-2025), which underscore the need for agricultural commercialization to provide sustainable, safe, and diversified food products. 

“We must support climate resilient agricultural production systems that are better integrated with global and local markets, ensuring food and nutrition security, and improving rural livelihoods,” she said.

Dr Mohammad Monirul Hasan, country advisor GAIN Bangladesh, emphasized the critical need for collaboration on foresight analysis and scenario development to meet the ambitious targets of Bangladesh's Perspective Plan 2021-2041, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050.

Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary of Coordination and Reforms at Cabinet Division, said that the Food Transformation Initiative will complement the prospective plan by providing forecasted data and advanced analytical capabilities, aiding in policy decisions, and strengthening the policy-practice interface.

Dr Arnoud Hameleers, IFAD country director for Bangladesh, said that hosting this workshop in Bangladesh marks a significant step forward in developing forward-thinking agriculture and food security strategies. By uniting government officials, technical experts, and global foresight leaders, critical challenges in today's food systems can be tackled more effectively.

Dia Sanou, deputy FAO representative in Bangladesh, said that FAO’s holistic approach targets better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. Integrating foresight is crucial to anticipate and navigate future challenges.

Domenico Scalpelli, country director of the World Food Programme (WFP), congratulated the government of Bangladesh for launching the Bangladesh Food System Dashboard for food system transformation.

He said, “Through shared responsibilities and collaborative efforts, the foresight potential can be further strengthened to ensure sustainable food system transformation globally.”

Md Shahidul Alam ndc Director General (Additional Secretary), Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) of the Ministry of Food, emphasized the collaborative efforts of 18 government ministries working towards the foresight for food initiative. 

He also stressed that collaboration is key to achieving goals more efficiently and effectively. “If we work individually, we won’t get anywhere. If we work together, we will reach our goal faster.”

The first day of the workshop concluded with 16 strategic case study presentations, illustrating the transformative power of investing in foresight for food systems. These presentations highlighted global to regional foresight, cultivation, and scenarios in East Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

The workshop also includes a food systems foresight orientation masterclass and field trips designed to facilitate learning through discussions, inspirational keynotes, interactive sharing sessions, thematic sessions, and networking opportunities. The goal is to illustrate the transformative power of investing in foresight for food systems.