Research and Innovation Developments for Sustainable Food Systems
The 2023 Euragri Conference Research and Innovation Developments for Sustainable Food Systems opened today, Thursday 23 November 2023 in Dublin. Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director, welcomed delegates to the Euragri conference, which is hosted by Teagasc at the Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin.
The Conference, which continues tomorrow Friday, is set against the challenges of delivering food security and nutrition for all, in a way that does not compromise the economic, social, and environmental ability to do so in the future.
The Conference brings together all EU actors of the Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) to reflect and identify the emerging responses required to deliver Sustainable Food Systems and their relevance to international/national policies, research, innovation, and knowledge transfer systems.
Professor Gerry Boyle, Euragri's President, said; "Delivering sustainable food systems requires balancing food production with climate action, protecting, preserving, and recovering the natural resources, as well as ensuring sustainable incomes for those involved". EURAGRI represents critical European and national government departments, research and innovation institutions, funding agencies, and others interested in developing resilient, sustainable food systems.
In July this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, "Global food systems are broken — and billions of people are paying the price". The Euragri Conference is providing a forum for delegates to consider the required responses to "fixing" food systems from the perspective of farmers, food processors, consumers, and policymakers.
Updates on the latest international, EU and national developments are being provided. Participants are sharing their experiences and knowledge in developing research and innovation responses to the challenges. The critical role of the circular economy is also highlighted.
Making food systems more sustainable requires greater integration of a wide range of stakeholders to address the complex challenges involving finance, innovation, translating science into action, and the capacity development of the actors involved. Professor Boyle said this Euragri Conference is providing insights into the necessary solutions.