Figure” FAO Director-General addresses the conference on “Accelerating Agrifood Systems Transformation in Cabo Verde”. ©FAO/Evandro Semedo

FAO News 25/07/2024

Cabo Verde, Praia – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been scaling up and will continue to increase its support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to transform their agrifood systems to enable them to be part of the  climate solutions and effectively contribute to food availability, accessibility and affordability, said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in his address today at a conference hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Cabo Verde entitled “Accelerating Agrifood Systems Transformation in Cabo Verde”.

According to the Director-General, efficient agrifood systems transformation requires four key factors. Firstly, it is political commitment at all levels and across all sectors. Secondly, he pointed to the need for an enabling policy to attract both domestic and foreign investment, including long-term land policy and tax policy in favour of technology. Thirdly, Qu emphasized the importance of changing the business model and promoting an efficient human resources policy to encourage citizens to return to their countries and contribute to their prosperity. Lastly, he highlighted the role of innovation, including in adapting crops to local conditions, while attracting scientific expertise.

The Director-General underscored the overarching need for coordinated action and targeted financing by both the public and private sectors, with guidance and input from civil society and academia.

See https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/building-resilient-agrifood-systems-for-sids-in-response-to-increasing-climate-challenges/en