Report on the Launch of the Digital and Precision Agriculture Major

Introduction

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Iowa State University is introducing a new Digital and Precision Agriculture major starting Fall 2026. This program aims to equip students with advanced technological and data analysis skills to optimize crop and soil management, thereby supporting sustainable farming practices.

Program Overview

The major integrates hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools such as sensors, drones, and mapping software. It builds upon a strong foundation in agronomy and incorporates interdisciplinary coursework from agricultural systems technology, data science, and geographic information systems.

Educational Objectives and SDG Alignment

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: By enhancing crop and soil management through technology, the program supports increased agricultural productivity and sustainable food production.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The program fosters innovation by teaching students to utilize advanced sensing and application technologies in agriculture.
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Emphasis on precision agriculture promotes efficient resource use and minimizes environmental impact.

Leadership and Expertise

Robert Gunzenhauser, an associate professor of practice in agronomy with over 30 years of industry experience, is a key leader in the program. His background in farming, consulting, and agricultural technology development enriches the curriculum with real-world insights.

Faculty Perspectives

1. Amy Kaleita, Chair of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering: Highlights the program’s role in providing students with practical experience that integrates data, technology, and agronomic science to meet the demands of modern agriculture.
2. Glen Ritchie, Chair of Agronomy: Emphasizes Gunzenhauser’s unique combination of industry expertise and academic leadership as vital for preparing students to lead in the evolving global agricultural sector.

Curriculum Structure

• Introductory Course (DPA 2020): Launching in Fall 2026, this course introduces key concepts in digital precision agriculture.
• Advanced Coursework: Builds on foundational knowledge with specialized technical, agronomic, and management skills.
• Capstone Experience: Integrates learned skills through practical, real-world projects.

Teaching Approach

Gunzenhauser employs a contextual and application-focused teaching style, encouraging students to understand the strategic and tactical aspects of digital and precision agriculture. This approach supports the development of innovative solutions within an evolving agricultural landscape.

Practical Experience and Career Preparation

Students are encouraged to apply classroom knowledge through hands-on activities at learning farms, internships, and industry engagements, thereby enhancing their readiness for impactful careers that contribute to sustainable agricultural development.

Additional Information

Further details about the Digital and Precision Agriculture major can be found on the Digital and Precision Agriculture website.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on improving agricultural practices through digital and precision agriculture, which aims to increase crop and soil management efficiency, directly contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The launch of a new major in digital and precision agriculture emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary education, and skill development, aligning with the goal of inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The integration of technology such as sensors, drones, and mapping software in agriculture promotes innovation and sustainable industrialization.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • By teaching students to use data and technology to make better land management decisions, the program supports sustainable consumption and production patterns in agriculture.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Improved soil and crop management practices contribute to the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and combat land degradation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through technology and sustainable practices.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Use of Technology in Agriculture
   • Number or percentage of students trained in digital and precision agriculture technologies such as sensors, drones, and mapping software.
   • Adoption rate of precision agriculture tools by farmers, implied through the program’s goal to prepare skilled professionals.
2. Educational Outcomes
   • Enrollment and graduation rates in the digital and precision agriculture major.
   • Employment rates of graduates in agriculture technology and related fields.
3. Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability
   • Improvements in crop yields and soil health as a result of applying precision agriculture techniques.
   • Reduction in resource use (water, fertilizers) due to optimized management practices taught in the program.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cals.iastate.edu

Report on the Call for Modernized Farm Labor Programs by AFBF President

Introduction

On March 10, 2026, Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, emphasizing the urgent need to address the ongoing farm labor crisis in the United States. This report highlights his key points with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger, decent work, and economic growth.

Farm Labor Crisis and Its Impact

• Labor Shortage: Duvall described the current labor shortage in agriculture as “unacceptable and unnecessary,” underscoring its detrimental effects on the agricultural sector.
• Economic Implications: The shortage threatens the stability of the ag economy, a critical component of national economic growth (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Food Security: Insufficient labor limits farmers’ capacity to produce nutritious food, impacting efforts to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG 2: Zero Hunger).

Recommendations for Modernization

Duvall advocated for the modernization of agricultural labor programs and enhancement of guest worker initiatives to strengthen domestic markets and retain production within U.S. borders. Key recommendations include:

1. Implementing updated farm labor policies that reflect current agricultural productivity and workforce needs.
2. Improving guest worker programs to ensure a reliable and legal labor supply.
3. Aligning market infrastructure and policy frameworks with the innovative nature of American agriculture.

Consequences of Inaction

• Continued labor shortages could force farmers, especially those growing fruits and vegetables, to cease operations or switch to less labor-intensive crops.
• Potential relocation of farm production and food processing outside U.S. borders, undermining domestic food security and economic sustainability.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The issues and solutions presented by AFBF President Duvall directly relate to several SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Ensuring sufficient labor supports the production of nutritious food for the population.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Modernized labor programs promote fair employment and strengthen the agricultural economy.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Supporting sustainable agricultural practices through adequate workforce availability.

Conclusion

The testimony by AFBF President Zippy Duvall highlights the critical need for legislative action to modernize farm labor programs. Addressing the labor shortage is essential to sustaining American agriculture’s productivity, supporting economic growth, and achieving key Sustainable Development Goals related to hunger, work, and sustainable industry.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the impact of farm labor shortages on the ability to grow nutritious food, directly relating to ending hunger and ensuring food security.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The call for modernized farm labor programs and improved guest worker programs relates to promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensuring that agricultural productivity and labor policies evolve aligns with sustainable production practices.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including through secure and equal access to land, resources, and markets.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 8 Targets:
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities.
   • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
3. SDG 12 Targets:
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Labor Force Availability in Agriculture: The article implies measuring the number of available farm workers or labor shortages as an indicator of progress towards addressing workforce issues.
2. Crop Production Levels: The shift to less labor-intensive crops and the closure of fruit and vegetable farms suggest indicators related to agricultural output and diversity.
3. Implementation of Labor Programs: The modernization of farm labor and guest worker programs can be tracked through indicators measuring policy reforms and program uptake.
4. Food Security and Nutrition: The ability to grow nutritious food relates to indicators on food availability and nutritional outcomes.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: brownfieldagnews.com

Report on Regenerative Practices for Agroecological Transition: The CROPS4LIFE Project

Introduction

In the face of global challenges such as agricultural intensification, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, regenerative food systems offer a sustainable alternative aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CROPS4LIFE project, led by the Environmental Studies Centre (CEA) of Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, serves as a benchmark for implementing regenerative agricultural practices in peri-urban environments. This report emphasizes the project’s contributions to achieving various SDGs, particularly those related to climate action, life on land, and sustainable cities and communities.

Regenerative Agriculture: Definition and Principles

Conceptual Framework

Regenerative agriculture is a productive approach that goes beyond minimizing negative environmental impacts. It actively restores key ecological functions such as soil health, water cycles, and biodiversity, thereby supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Unlike conventional agriculture, which externalizes environmental costs, this model integrates ecosystem services as essential components of productive value.

Objectives within CROPS4LIFE

• Carbon Sequestration
  • Enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) to mitigate climate change (SDG 13).
• Soil Health
  • Improve soil structure and fertility to support sustainable agriculture (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger).
• Biodiversity
  • Promote biological diversity to maintain ecosystem resilience (SDG 15).
• Resilience
  • Strengthen the system’s ability to withstand climate disturbances (SDG 13).

Key Practices for Soil Regeneration

Minimum Tillage and Direct Seeding

CROPS4LIFE advocates for minimum tillage to preserve soil integrity, protect microbial habitats, and reduce CO2 emissions, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Permanent Vegetation Cover and Polycultures

To prevent soil erosion and maintain moisture, the project employs cover crops such as legumes and grasses. Crop rotation and polyculture practices interrupt pest cycles and enhance soil quality, supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Reduce surface erosion through aerial biomass.
• Increase biological nitrogen fixation.
• Generate stable soil structures via diverse root systems.

Integration of Organic Amendments and Circular Economy

The use of compost and organic fertilizers closes nutrient cycles locally, enhancing microbial activity and soil fertility. This practice aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Bio-Intensive Horticulture Method

This method enables high productivity on small plots with low investment, facilitating access to land and promoting sustainable livelihoods (SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth). Techniques include:

• Permanent planting strips.
• Surface compost application.
• Minimum tillage to rapidly increase soil fertility.

Efficient use of resources and planning allows small teams to generate income through diversified direct sales.

Agroforestry and Living Hedges

Incorporation of agroforestry systems and landscape elements creates biological corridors that attract pollinators and beneficial fauna, improve microclimates, and enhance landscape aesthetics, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Controlled Rotational Grazing

Livestock integration through holistic management uses the “herd effect” to:

1. Fertilization: Livestock manure and urine close fertility cycles.
2. Root Stimulation: Grazing and trampling encourage deeper root growth, accelerating carbon sequestration (SDG 13).

Water Management and Hydrological Strategies

Addressing climate change impacts, CROPS4LIFE employs:

• Infiltration Ditches and Contour Lines: Capture runoff and recharge aquifers.
• Mulching: Reduce soil evaporation to increase water retention.

These interventions improve farm water autonomy and resilience against droughts, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The transition to regenerative agriculture demands comprehensive technical training and a cultural shift from prioritizing immediate yields to long-term ecosystem health. CROPS4LIFE highlights the importance of collaborative governance among farmers, technicians, and public authorities to overcome these challenges, advancing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Conclusion

The CROPS4LIFE project exemplifies how regenerative agricultural practices contribute to a decarbonized, equitable agri-food system. By integrating ecological, social, and economic principles, the project advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community well-being. Strategic planning and multisectoral commitment remain essential to scaling these practices and restoring ecosystem functions that sustain food production.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Focus on sustainable agriculture, improving soil fertility, and increasing food production through agroecological practices.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration and decarbonisation of agricultural systems.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and sustainable land management.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Promotion of circular economy principles, organic amendments, and sustainable resource use.
5. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Water resource management through hydrological design techniques to improve water retention and reduce drought impact.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, help maintain ecosystems, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) Levels
   • Indicator for carbon sequestration and soil health improvement, measuring the increase in soil organic carbon to mitigate climate change.
2. Soil Fertility and Structure
   • Indicators related to soil profile structure, nutrient retention, and microbial activity to assess soil health.
3. Biodiversity Metrics
   • Indicators measuring biological diversity, presence of pollinators, and fauna useful for pest control.
4. Water Retention and Efficiency
   • Indicators related to water infiltration, evaporation reduction, and aquifer recharge to evaluate water management effectiveness.
5. Crop Yield and Productivity
   • Indicators measuring productivity improvements from bio-intensive horticulture and diversified cropping systems.
6. Livestock Integration Effects
   • Indicators assessing manure contribution to soil fertility and root stimulation effects from controlled rotational grazing.
7. Adoption of Sustainable Practices
   • Implied indicators include the extent of minimum tillage, use of cover crops, crop rotation, and organic amendments.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: openaccessgovernment.org

Nitrous Oxide’s Role in Root Microbial Communities and Sustainable Agriculture

Introduction

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is widely recognized as a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, particularly due to its emission from soils following fertilizer application. However, recent research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reveals an additional biological role of N₂O that has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Root Microbes and Nitrous Oxide Interaction

Laboratory experiments demonstrated that N₂O actively influences microbial populations near plant roots by selectively inhibiting certain bacteria while favoring others. This microbial shift can affect plant health by altering nutrient uptake and disease resistance, which are critical for sustainable crop production.

• Microbial communities assist plants in nutrient acquisition and pathogen defense.
• Changes in these communities due to N₂O may impact crop resilience and yield.
• Understanding this interaction supports SDG 2 by promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

Senior author Darcy McRose from MIT emphasized the importance of considering N₂O production in agricultural settings not only as a climate issue but also as a factor influencing plant health and microbial ecology.

Overlooked Toxicity of Nitrous Oxide

Despite its known toxicity in certain biological contexts, such as deactivating vitamin B12 in humans, N₂O has traditionally been viewed in agriculture primarily as a climate and ozone-depleting substance rather than a direct biological toxin affecting soil microbes.

• Assumptions have underestimated N₂O’s harmful effects on microbial communities in the rhizosphere.
• The rhizosphere is a critical zone for microbial interactions that support plant growth.
• This insight aligns with SDG 15 by promoting healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

Impact on Methionine Biosynthesis Pathways

The research focused on methionine biosynthesis, an essential cellular process, revealing that N₂O selectively harms bacteria relying on vitamin B12-dependent enzymes. Some bacteria possess alternative pathways that confer resistance, highlighting a metabolic vulnerability that N₂O exploits.

1. Use of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism demonstrated sensitivity to N₂O when the B12-independent pathway was removed.
2. Endogenous N₂O production can inhibit bacterial growth, affecting microbial community dynamics.

Effects on Synthetic Root Microbial Communities

Extending beyond single organisms, the study examined synthetic microbial communities associated with Arabidopsis thaliana. Results showed that N₂O-producing bacteria negatively impact neighboring N₂O-sensitive microbes, potentially reshaping microbial populations around plant roots.

• Microbial community composition is influenced by N₂O production.
• This dynamic may affect crop health and soil sustainability.
• Supports SDG 2 and SDG 15 by enhancing understanding of soil biodiversity and plant-microbe interactions.

Prevalence of Nitrous Oxide Sensitivity Among Bacteria

Genomic analysis suggests approximately 30% of sequenced bacterial genomes may be susceptible to N₂O toxicity, indicating a widespread ecological impact beyond previously recognized climate effects.

• Potential for N₂O to shape microbial ecosystems broadly.
• Highlights the need for integrated approaches addressing both climate and soil health (SDG 13 and SDG 15).

Implications for Agricultural Practices

In agricultural soils, N₂O emissions often spike following nitrogen fertilizer application, heavy rainfall, or thawing periods, coinciding with critical stages of root development and microbial community establishment.

1. These N₂O bursts may disrupt beneficial microbial partnerships essential for crop growth.
2. Laboratory findings warrant field studies to confirm effects in complex soil environments.
3. Understanding and managing N₂O timing could improve crop health and productivity, advancing SDG 2.

Future Research Directions and Sustainable Development

The study proposes a genetic mechanism where microbial survival under N₂O exposure depends on enzyme variants, suggesting that repeated exposure could select for resistant microbial strains, thus reshaping soil communities over time.

• Potential to develop strategies that mitigate negative impacts of N₂O on soil microbiomes.
• Supports sustainable soil management and resilience (SDG 15).
• Contributes to climate mitigation efforts by linking microbial ecology with greenhouse gas dynamics (SDG 13).

Conclusion

This research redefines nitrous oxide as more than a climate pollutant; it acts as an ecological factor influencing microbial community structure in the rhizosphere, with direct consequences for crop health, soil resilience, and sustainable agriculture. These findings underscore the interconnectedness of environmental health and food security goals, reinforcing the importance of integrated approaches to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The full study is published in the journal mBio.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses the impact of nitrous oxide on root microbes that help plants gather nutrients and fend off disease, which is directly related to improving crop health and agricultural productivity.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Nitrous oxide is highlighted as a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, linking the article to climate action efforts.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article addresses soil microbial ecosystems and their health, which are essential for sustainable land management and biodiversity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including through sustainable food production systems.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 2 Targets
   • Crop yield per hectare (implied through improving crop health by managing nitrous oxide effects on root microbes).
   • Proportion of agricultural area under sustainable practices (implied by the research suggesting management of nitrous oxide production in soils).
2. Indicators for SDG 13 Targets
   • Concentration of nitrous oxide emissions in the atmosphere (directly related to the article’s focus on N₂O as a greenhouse gas).
   • Number of policies or programs integrating climate change mitigation related to agricultural emissions (implied by the call for attention to N₂O production in agriculture).
3. Indicators for SDG 15 Targets
   • Extent of soil microbial biodiversity and health (implied by the article’s focus on microbial community shifts due to N₂O toxicity).
   • Area of land with restored or maintained healthy soil ecosystems (implied through potential soil resilience improvements by managing N₂O effects).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: earth.com

Report on Unpermitted Vacation Rental Structures on Agricultural Land in Hawaiʻi

Introduction

Recent legal disputes on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island highlight challenges related to vacation rentals on farmland, which are prohibited under state law. This report examines a specific case involving an unpermitted dome shelter on agricultural land, emphasizing the implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15).

Case Overview: The Dome Shelter on Agricultural Land

A dome-shaped shelter located on a 5-acre agricultural parcel at 75-5481 Hienaloli Road in Kailua-Kona offers scenic views and recreational opportunities such as yoga and stargazing. However, county property records show no building permits for this structure, indicating it was constructed without proper authorization.

• Legal Status: The structure lacks county-issued building permits and occupancy approvals, raising concerns about compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Potential Use as Vacation Rental: Observations suggest the dome may be used as a short-term vacation rental, which contravenes Hawaiʻi statute 205-4.5 that prohibits vacation rentals on agricultural land.

Regulatory and Enforcement Challenges

1. Inspection Difficulties: The property is landlocked with access restricted by “No Trespassing” signs, limiting county inspectors’ ability to enforce regulations.
2. Legal Precedents: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled in November 2024 that farm dwellings in agricultural districts cannot be used as short-term rentals, reinforcing the protection of agricultural land use.
3. Enforcement Gaps: Despite complaints and inspections, enforcement actions have been limited, highlighting the need for improved coordination among county departments and legal authorities.

Ownership and Land Use Details

• The 5-acre lot is owned by JKS Solutions, a Hawaiʻi-registered company involved in consulting, real estate investments, vacation rentals, and agriculture.
• The property benefits from agricultural zoning, resulting in significantly reduced property taxes ($200 annually), despite being purchased at a higher market value.
• Recent grading permits approved for adjoining blocks suggest potential further development, which requires close monitoring to ensure compliance with sustainable land use practices.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Ensuring land use regulations are enforced supports sustainable community development by preventing unauthorized construction and preserving agricultural land.
• Proper management of vacation rentals contributes to balanced tourism that respects local environments and communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Compliance with building permits and environmental regulations ensures responsible resource use and waste management, including septic and effluent systems.
• Preventing unauthorized vacation rentals helps avoid overuse of local infrastructure and resources.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Protecting agricultural land from inappropriate development preserves biodiversity and supports sustainable agriculture.
• Maintaining agricultural zoning aligns with conservation efforts and sustainable land management.

Vacation Rental Regulations and Legal Context

1. In 2019, Hawaiʻi County enacted laws banning short-term vacation rentals on agricultural lots created after 1976.
2. Legal challenges by landowners were ultimately resolved in favor of the county and state, affirming that short-term rentals undermine agricultural purposes.
3. Recent amendments require registration of hosted vacation rentals, enhancing regulatory oversight.
4. Ongoing litigation may address potential loopholes related to pre-existing rental registrations.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Enhanced enforcement mechanisms are critical to uphold land use laws and protect agricultural zones.
• Improved interdepartmental coordination and legal clarity will support sustainable land management and community well-being.
• Stakeholders should prioritize adherence to SDGs by balancing economic development with environmental protection and social responsibility.
• Public awareness and reporting mechanisms should be strengthened to identify and address unauthorized land uses promptly.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses land use, zoning laws, and the management of vacation rentals in agricultural areas, which relate to sustainable urban and community planning.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The protection of agricultural land and prevention of unauthorized construction supports the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and land resources.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights legal battles, enforcement challenges, and governance issues related to land use and compliance with laws.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Issues around unpermitted buildings and unauthorized vacation rentals imply concerns about sustainable land use and resource management.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage (implied by land use and zoning enforcement).
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, and poverty reduction strategies.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of unpermitted buildings identified and removed or regularized
   • The article mentions unpermitted dome structures and the lack of building permits, implying that tracking permits and unauthorized constructions could measure enforcement effectiveness.
2. Number of short-term vacation rentals registered vs. unregistered
   • The county’s requirement for registration of vacation rentals (hosted and unhosted) suggests an indicator measuring compliance with rental regulations.
3. Legal enforcement actions and court rulings related to land use
   • The article references Supreme Court rulings and ongoing litigation, which could be tracked as indicators of governance and rule of law.
4. Tax revenue from agricultural land vs. actual land use
   • The discrepancy between tax benefits for agricultural zoning and actual land use (e.g., vacation rentals) implies an indicator related to fiscal compliance and land use integrity.
5. Access and inspection rates of agricultural properties
   • Challenges with property access for inspections due to “No Trespassing” signs imply an indicator measuring the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: civilbeat.org

Sustainable Agricultural Development Initiatives in Holguin Province

Introduction

Holguin province has undertaken significant initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). A key project includes the incorporation of center-pivot irrigation systems across demonstration plots to enhance food production sustainably.

Implementation of Renewable Energy and Water Conservation

• Deputy delegate Geovanny Zaldívar Martínez from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment highlighted the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, in agricultural operations.
• Solar panels have been installed on forestry farms and water supply systems to support agricultural growth in municipalities within the Turquino Plan, including Mayari and Frank País.
• Water conservation techniques are being applied to optimize irrigation efficiency, directly contributing to SDG 6.

Technological Innovations and Climate-Resilient Agriculture

1. Development and use of high-quality seeds to improve crop yields and resilience.
2. Introduction of alternative planting methods that maximize space utilization between seedlings.
3. Research focused on cultivating crops and vegetables that are resilient to climate change impacts, supporting SDG 13.

Promotion of Sustainable Inputs and Economic Resilience

• Natural fertilizers are being promoted as substitutes for imported pesticides, reducing dependency on costly imports affected by economic sanctions.
• This approach supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging environmentally friendly agricultural inputs.

Collaborations and Capacity Building

• Holguin province is implementing joint projects with the World Food Programme and the United Nations Development Fund.
• These collaborations aim to leverage local capacities and promote self-sufficiency in municipalities, advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Scientific and Educational Advancements

• Introduction of scientific and technological advancements to create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
• Promotion of agronomy studies among younger generations to ensure sustainable agricultural development in the future.
• Increase in alternative production methods to strengthen nutritional sovereignty, directly supporting SDG 2.

Conclusion

The initiatives in Holguin province demonstrate a comprehensive approach to sustainable agricultural development by integrating renewable energy, water conservation, climate-resilient crops, and local capacity building. These efforts contribute significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, fostering environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and food security in the region.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses initiatives in food production, agricultural development, and nutritional sovereignty, which align with ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Water conservation and water supply systems are highlighted, connecting to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The use of renewable energy, specifically solar panels, is a key focus in the agricultural sector.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The incorporation of scientific and technological advancements and research in agriculture reflects this goal.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promotion of natural fertilizers as substitutes for imported pesticides supports sustainable consumption and production patterns.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action – The development of crops resilient to climate change and sustainable agricultural practices contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration with the World Food Programme and United Nations Development Fund illustrates global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.3 – By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through sustainable practices.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.4 – Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply.
3. SDG 7 Targets:
   • 7.2 – Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
4. SDG 9 Targets:
   • 9.5 – Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities in industrial sectors.
5. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.4 – Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.
6. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
7. SDG 17 Targets:
   • 17.16 – Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 2 Indicators:
   • 2.3.1 – Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
   • 2.4.1 – Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 6 Indicators:
   • 6.4.1 – Change in water-use efficiency over time.
3. SDG 7 Indicators:
   • 7.2.1 – Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
4. SDG 9 Indicators:
   • 9.5.1 – Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
   • 9.5.2 – Number of researchers per million inhabitants.
5. SDG 12 Indicators:
   • 12.4.2 – Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion treated, by type of treatment.
6. SDG 13 Indicators:
   • 13.1.2 – Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
7. SDG 17 Indicators:
   • 17.16.1 – Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: radioangulo.cu

Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Microplastics, commonly recognized as an ocean pollution issue, are increasingly accumulating in farmland soils. A recent scientific review led by researchers from Jiangsu University highlights that the impact of microplastics extends beyond physical contamination, affecting soil ecosystems at a microscopic level. This report emphasizes the relevance of these findings to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Microplastics as Emerging Soil Pollutants

Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters. In agricultural environments, they enter soils through various pathways including plastic mulch, sewage sludge, irrigation water, and degradation of larger plastic waste. Their presence in soil can:

• Alter soil structure
• Disrupt nutrient cycling
• Affect soil organisms critical for ecosystem functioning

These effects pose risks to soil fertility and sustainable agricultural productivity, directly impacting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

A New Micro-Habitat in Soil: The Plastisphere

Researchers describe microplastics as creating unique micro-environments in soil called plastispheres. These plastispheres are biofilm communities where microorganisms attach to plastic surfaces, forming dense and active microbial networks. Key characteristics include:

1. Enhanced microbial interactions compared to surrounding soil
2. Modification of microbial community behavior
3. Influence on nutrient movement and soil resilience after environmental stress

The review underscores that microplastics act not only as physical pollutants but also as environmental stressors reshaping microbial and viral interactions, which may ultimately affect soil fertility and agricultural sustainability, aligning with SDG 12 and SDG 15.

Viruses as Key Players in Soil Ecosystems

A central focus of the review is on bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria. Their roles in soil ecosystems include:

• Reshaping bacterial populations by infecting and lysing cells
• Influencing nutrient cycling through release of cellular contents
• Facilitating gene transfer between microbes, spreading traits across communities

In plastispheres, where microbes are densely packed, viral impacts on microbial dynamics and gene exchange are potentially amplified, affecting ecosystem functions relevant to SDG 15 and SDG 13.

Gene Exchange: Potential Benefits and Risks

Viral-mediated gene transfer within plastispheres represents a double-edged sword:

• Positive potential: Spread of genes that enhance microbial degradation of plastics, supporting natural biodegradation processes.
• Negative risks: Dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and other harmful traits that may compromise soil health and human wellbeing.

This dual role necessitates careful consideration in environmental management and policy development, linking to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 12.

Innovative Approaches to Accelerate Plastic Degradation

The review explores emerging theoretical methods to utilize virus-related systems to enhance plastic breakdown in soils, including:

1. Phage-assisted microbial augmentation to promote plastic-degrading microbial populations
2. Use of virus-like particles loaded with catalytic nanoenzymes to accelerate polymer degradation

These innovative approaches remain experimental and raise important concerns regarding biosafety, unintended gene transfer, and ecological unpredictability. Responsible research and governance are essential to align these technologies with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12.

Challenges: Lack of Long-Term Field Evidence

Current knowledge is limited by reliance on laboratory and short-term studies. The dynamic nature of soil ecosystems, influenced by seasonal changes, farming practices, and environmental factors, requires long-term field research to understand:

• Stability and evolution of plastisphere ecosystems
• Interactions among viruses, microbes, and microplastics over time

Addressing this gap is critical for informed environmental management and achieving SDG 15.

Call for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration

The review advocates for integrated research efforts across microbiology, virology, soil science, environmental engineering, and policy-making. Advanced tools recommended include:

• Single-cell viromics
• AI-driven host prediction models
• Multi-omics approaches

These methods aim to map microbial and viral communities and gene flow within soils, enhancing understanding of ecosystem responses to plastic pollution. This collaborative approach supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Conclusion: Microplastics as Dynamic Biological Arenas

The study concludes that microplastics in soil are not inert debris but active microhabitats where microbes and viruses interact dynamically, reshaping soil ecosystems. Recognizing the soil virome’s role offers new perspectives for ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture, contributing to multiple SDGs including SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 15.

The research is published in the journal Agricultural Ecology and Environment.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses the impact of microplastics on soil fertility and agricultural sustainability, which directly relates to ensuring sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Microplastic pollution from agricultural practices such as plastic mulch and sewage sludge reflects issues of waste management and sustainable production.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not explicitly mentioned, the article’s focus on soil health and ecosystem recovery ties into climate resilience and sustainable land use.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s emphasis on soil ecosystems, microbial communities, and the impact of pollutants on terrestrial ecosystems aligns with protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, help maintain ecosystems, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks.
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Soil Quality and Fertility Indicators
   • Changes in soil structure and nutrient cycling as affected by microplastics.
   • Microbial community composition and activity in soil plastispheres.
2. Pollution and Waste Management Indicators
   • Concentration and distribution of microplastics in agricultural soils.
   • Presence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes linked to microplastic-associated microbes.
3. Ecological and Biodiversity Indicators
   • Viral and microbial gene transfer rates in soil ecosystems.
   • Resilience and recovery of soil ecosystems after stress events.
4. Research and Monitoring Indicators
   • Availability of long-term field data on soil microplastic impacts.
   • Use of advanced methods such as single-cell viromics, AI-driven host prediction, and multi-omics to map microbial and viral interactions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: earth.com

Subscription Benefits Report with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview

This report outlines the key benefits of the subscription service, highlighting their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The service offers a variety of digital resources aimed at enhancing access to information, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Subscription Features and SDG Alignment

1. E-edition PLUS: Unlimited Articles & Videos

   This feature provides unlimited access to digital articles and videos, supporting SDG 4: Quality Education by facilitating inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

2. Personalized News Alerts via Mobile App

   The mobile app delivers personalized news alerts, enhancing access to timely information. This supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by promoting sustainable and resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation in information dissemination.

3. Free Access to Newspapers.com Archives

   Subscribers receive free access to historical newspaper archives, contributing to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by preserving cultural heritage and promoting inclusive societies.

4. Online Games, Puzzles & Comics

   The availability of hundreds of interactive games, puzzles, and comics online encourages creative engagement and mental well-being, supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education.

Summary of SDG Contributions

• SDG 3: Promoting mental health through engaging recreational content.
• SDG 4: Enhancing access to quality educational materials and lifelong learning.
• SDG 9: Leveraging innovative mobile technology for information access.
• SDG 11: Preserving cultural heritage via archival access.

Overall, the subscription service aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals by fostering education, innovation, cultural preservation, and well-being through accessible digital content.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

The article primarily discusses digital access to news, archives, and entertainment content through various online platforms and mobile applications. The issues highlighted relate to information accessibility, digital inclusion, and educational resources.

1. SDG 4: Quality Education – Access to educational content and archives supports lifelong learning opportunities.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The use of mobile apps and digital platforms promotes innovation and infrastructure development in information dissemination.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Providing free access to archives and personalized news alerts can help reduce information inequality.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including digital literacy, for employment and entrepreneurship.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including information and communications technology.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 4
   • Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, including digital literacy.
   • Access to digital educational resources and archives.
2. Indicator for SDG 9
   • Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, indicating access to mobile apps and digital platforms.
   • Number of users accessing digital news and information services.
3. Indicator for SDG 10
   • Access to information by disadvantaged groups, measured by availability of free digital archives and personalized news services.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: agupdate.com

From nurturing healthy soil to using the right pesticide for lettuce when necessary, farmers can ensure both productivity and ecological balance. 

Empowering Communities with Eco-Friendly Agriculture

As the world embraces sustainable living, the role of responsible agriculture becomes paramount. At Wins Solution, we believe in promoting practices that respect nature, support communities and enhance food security. 

One such crop where sustainable methods can make a significant impact is lettuce — a staple in many diets around the world.

Why Lettuce Matters in Sustainable Agriculture

Nutritional Value, Global Demand and Environmental Footprint

• Lettuce is a fast-growing leafy green, rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a key component in many diets.
• Because it grows quickly and can be harvested multiple times, lettuce offers strong potential for small-scale and community farming.
• But lettuce also poses sustainability challenges: heavy water use, potential pesticide residues, soil depletion and supporting large-scale monocultures.
• By introducing eco-conscious methods, farms can reduce environmental footprint and improve long-term viability.

Core Principles of Sustainable Lettuce Farming

Soil Health, Water Efficiency and Crop Diversity

1. Building Healthy Soil

Healthy soil supports nutrient uptake, reduces disease and lowers the need for chemical inputs. Practices include:

• Crop rotation (e.g., alternating lettuce with legumes or cover crops)
• Incorporating organic matter (compost, green manure)
• Minimising mechanical disturbance to preserve soil structure
• Monitoring pH and nutrient levels to match crop needs

2. Optimising Water Use

Water is a precious resource. To farm lettuce sustainably:

• Use drip irrigation or micro-sprinklers to precisely deliver water to the root zone
• Monitor soil moisture to avoid over-watering
• Capture and reuse rainwater where possible
• Mulch between rows to reduce evaporation

3. Diversifying Crops & Integrating Ecosystems

Monocultures can lead to pest build-up and soil fatigue. Instead:

• Intercrop lettuce with herbs or flowers that attract beneficial insects
• Use trap crops to intercept pests before they reach the lettuce
• Encourage natural predator populations, such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps

Managing Pests and Diseases: Balanced Approach

Recognise the Challenge

Lettuce is vulnerable to pests (e.g., aphids, slugs, thrips) and diseases (e.g., downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot). An integrated pest-management strategy is essential.

Introducing an Appropriate Pesticide for Lettuce

When pest pressure reaches a threshold where non-chemical controls are insufficient, a targeted pesticide for lettuce may be necessary. Key considerations:

• Choose formulations approved for leafy crops, with low residual toxicity
• Apply only when beneficial insect populations are safe or will recover
• Follow label instructions and observe pre-harvest intervals
• Combine with non-chemical methods (crop hygiene, insect-proof netting, beneficials)

By including such a reference, we help readers access specialised resources while emphasising that chemical interventions are a last resort, not a first step.

Case Study: Community Lettuce Farm with Sustainable Practices

Initiating a Real-World Project

In one of our community initiatives at Wins Solution:

• A local cooperative introduced raised beds for lettuce, using compost enriched with local organic waste
• Water-efficient drip lines reduced irrigation use by 40%
• Beneficial insect habitat (e.g., flowering strips) cut aphid infestation by over 50%
• When aphid levels rose above threshold, a low-impact pesticide for lettuce was applied; subsequent scans showed minimal residue and no adverse effect on beneficial populations

Outcomes & Learnings

• Yield improved by 30% compared to previous years
• Community engagement increased — members took ownership of watering, pest-monitoring & composting
• Soil organic matter improved, and the cost of synthetic fertilisers dropped. This proves how sustainability and productivity can go hand-in-hand.

Best Practices Checklist for Growers

Role of Organisations in Supporting Sustainable Agriculture

We champion grassroots and institutional efforts to integrate sustainability across sectors. Our work in agriculture focuses on:

• Educating farmers and communities about sustainable crop systems
• Supporting pilot-projects that demonstrate best practices in water, soil and pest management
• Advocating for policies and partnerships that encourage low-impact farming and environmental stewardship — aligning with our mission.

Conclusion: Growing Lettuce Responsibly for a Cleaner Future

Sustainable lettuce production is more than an agricultural method — it’s a mindset that prioritises balance between productivity and environmental care. Farmers, researchers, and organisations play a crucial role in shaping this balance.

By investing in soil health, embracing efficient water use, integrating biodiversity, and applying the right pesticide for lettuce only when absolutely necessary, growers can achieve long-term food security without harming ecosystems.

Sustainability isn’t about eliminating all interventions — it’s about making smarter choices. A lettuce farm that thrives without polluting waterways or depleting soil nutrients represents the kind of agricultural transformation the world urgently needs.

When communities come together to share knowledge, conserve resources, and implement proven eco-friendly strategies, they build resilience — not just in crops, but in people and the planet. The community continues to champion these values, empowering global farmers to grow cleaner, safer, and more sustainable food.

Together, we can cultivate a future where every harvest contributes to planetary health — one lettuce leaf at a time.

At the heart of this effort is SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA). SVZ has been using the FSA since the early 2000s to guide its sourcing strategy and support farmers to adopt better environmental, social, and economic practices. The FSA provides a clear framework for setting goals, tracking progress, and building long-term resilience on the farm. 

Eastern Poland is a key region for SVZ’s sourcing strategy, supplying a diverse array of crops from raspberries and blackcurrants to kale and beetroot. Here, the FSA has helped drive measurable change:  

• In 2024, 77% of SVZ’s core raw materials met FSA Silver-level or higher verification. 
• Between 2022 and 2025, over 1,800 Polish growers achieved FSA Silver status. 
• Biodiversity initiatives included distributing flower meadow seeds and installing insect habitats to support pollination and natural pest control. 

The FSA also helps SVZ monitor and report progress through the Sustainable Juice Covenant (SJC), ensuring transparency and accountability across the supply chain. Beyond the farm, SVZ invests in energy and water efficiency and promotes climate-smart agriculture that protect both the planet and livelihoods. 

Looking ahead, SVZ plans to expand FSA implementation to all sourcing regions and reach 100% sustainable sourcing by 2030, engaging up to 4,000 farmers. The company continues to call for broader collaboration with both farmers and other SAI Platform members, especially fresh market players, to decrease agricultural carbon emissions, and increase water efficiency and biodiversity at the farm-level. 

Executive summary

In a tribe in southern India, a group of women are working hard to revive the country's ancient native tubers, and bring them back into everyday culture.

           Sai Krishan, Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme

.               Sai Krishan, Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme

.               Sai Krishan, Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme

.               Sai Krishan, Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme

Mr. Torero noted that if current trends persist, around 582 million people will still face hunger in 2030, half of them in Africa.

Despite progress in combating stunting and in promoting breastfeeding, global hunger levels have remained stubbornly static for three consecutive years. 

Between 713 million and 757 million people were undernourished in 2023, around 152 million more than in 2019, according to the report, a joint publication by FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Africa, Asia, Latin America in focus

Regional trends show a stark contrast with hunger continuing to rise in Africa, affecting 20.4 per cent of the population, while remaining stable in Asia at 8.1 per cent. This is a significant concern given that the region houses more than half of those facing hunger worldwide. Latin America has shown some progress with 6.2 per cent of its population facing hunger. However, from 2022 to 2023, hunger increased in Western Asia, the Caribbean, and most African subregions.

FAO’s Mr. Torero highlighted that Africa faces a unique challenge as it is the only region where hunger has risen owing to all three major drivers: conflict, climate extremes and economic downturns. 

Of them all, he emphasized that war remains “a major driver” of hunger, exacerbating the food crisis across countries.

Getting enough food is out of reach

The report's other key findings include that access to adequate food remains out of reach for billions. In 2023, approximately 2.33 billion people globally were moderately or severely food insecure, almost the same number as during the COVID pandemic. 

Over 864 million people experienced severe food insecurity, meaning having to go for periods without food. While Latin America has seen some improvement in food security, in Africa, a full 58 per cent of the continent’s people are moderately or severely food insecure.

The economic reasons for global remain a major issue, too: the report found 2.8 billion people couldn’t afford a healthy diet in 2022. The contrast between high-income and low-income countries is stark, with just 6.3 per cent of people in the former unable to afford a healthy diet, compared to 71.5 per cent in poorer nations. And although Asia, North America and Europe saw improvements, the situation worsened in Africa.

Coronavirus link to hunger

COVID-19 remains a significant marker in the fight against global hunger, with the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet by 2022 falling below pre-pandemic levels in upper-middle and higher-income countries.

On the other hand, in low-income countries by 2022, the number of people unable to buy enough healthy food reached its highest level since 2017. In 2020, 1.68 billion people globally could not afford a healthy diet, with a 59 per cent increase in lower-middle-income countries. Mr. Torero attributed this disparity to "the significant increase of inequalities among countries and regions caused by COVID-19".

Targets hit – and missed

Progress in child nutrition has been mixed, the UN report shows.

Although exclusive breastfeeding rates have increased to 48 per cent, low birthweight levels remain stagnant at around 15 per cent and stunting in children under five decreased to 22.3 per cent - still short of targets.

There was little movement in combating wasting and anaemia in women, while adult obesity continued to rise, reaching 15.8 per cent in 2022, with projections of more than 1.2 billion obese adults by 2030.

These numbers show the complexity of malnutrition in all its forms and the need for targeted interventions, the report’s authors maintained, amid a backdrop of persistent food price inflation, conflicts, climate change and economic downturns that is making food insecurity and malnutrition worse globally.

Digging deep to end hunger

In line with the theme of this year’s report - “Financing to End Hunger, Food Insecurity and All Forms of Malnutrition” – its recommendations focus on a comprehensive approach to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger. This includes transforming agrifood systems, addressing inequalities and making healthy diets affordable and accessible. 

The report calls for increased, cost-effective financing and a standardised approach to food security and nutrition.

Mr. Torero explained: “One of the major recommendations is to come up with a common definition so that we understand what we are financing and the key elements to include in this definition. This will enhance accountability for donors and provide a clearer picture of financial flows.”

UN agency heads, including FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell, stressed that closing the financing gap is crucial. They emphasized that substantial investment is required to end hunger and malnutrition, framing it as both a future investment and a fundamental obligation.

Of the 119 low and middle-income countries featured in the report, 63 per cent have limited access to financing. These countries are also affected by multiple factors of food insecurity. Better data coordination, higher risk tolerance and more transparency are key to bridging the financing gap and strengthening global food security efforts, the report maintains.

“We need to understand that our agri-food systems are under increasing risk and uncertainty due to climate change…donors must adopt greater risk tolerance to activate effective finance,” Mr. Torero said.

With almost 60% of the world’s hungriest people living in conflict affected zones, conflict is the greatest challenge to Zero Hunger.

Conflict and hunger create a vicious cycle. When war erupts, instability forces people to find illicit and sometimes violent means of acquiring their necessities. In this unstable period where access to food is fought over, the risk of social unrest heightens.

The U.N. World Food Programme is on the frontlines of the world’s worst conflicts, going where others can’t to deliver lifesaving food in the hardest-to-reach areas. The agency’s work to solve hunger has contributed to improving prospects for peace – effectively breaking the conflict and hunger cycle. In conflict zones, the U.N. World Food Programme is there to provide food and cash assistance, keep kids in classrooms with school meals and rebuild infrastructure through community projects.

In 2020, the U.N. World Food Programme became the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and was recognized by the Nobel Committee “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.” The U.N. World Food Programme’s Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful call to action, recognizing the important link between conflict and hunger and the critical role of food assistance as a building block to peace and stability.

2. Increase Sustainability and Build Resilience to Climate Change

Climate extremes are one of the main drivers of severe hunger. We have entered a ‘new normal’ where consecutive and extreme weather events – like droughts, flooding, hurricanes and cyclones – decimate farming and drive displacement. As a result, communities constantly operate in recovery mode: Diminished economies, destroyed infrastructure and disrupted access to food significantly reduce people’s capacity to rebuild their livelihoods and prepare for the next imminent disaster.

The U.N. World Food Programme helps communities build resilience to climate change through long-term solutions including:

• Reforestation and land rehabilitation projects
• Climate insurance for small-scale farmers
• Providing local institutions with access to sustainable energy solutions

To tackle the challenges of climate change, food availability and food access, we must also help farmers grow a more diverse range of crops and livestock. That’s why the U.N. World Food Programme teaches farmers new techniques, equips them with tools and educates their communities about the nutritional importance of eating a wide range of foods.

3. Address Poverty & Inequality Through Social Safety Nets

Poverty and inequality are the root causes of global hunger. Imagine being a mother who must forgo her daily meals to feed her children, or a farmer who must sell food rations in exchange for farming equipment.

The U.N. World Food Programme helps governments strengthen national safety nets that safeguard their citizens from poverty, inequality and hunger. By 2030, the U.N. World Food Programme aims to substantially increase people’s access to their national social protection systems – thereby promoting equitable economic growth.

The U.N. World Food Programme is the world’s largest provider of humanitarian cash, distributing cash to over 40 million people across 70 countries. The global food crisis is mainly one of access where record-high prices mean people cannot buy what they need. Where markets are functioning, the U.N. World Food Programme can provide cash-based assistance in the form of bank notes, vouchers, debit cards, e-money or mobile money. Cash transfers empower families to decide how to spend their money while supporting local markets and economies.

Through Food for Assets projects, the U.N. World Food Programme offers food or cash assistance while participants work on community assets like roads, dams and irrigation systems. The community-centered approach of coming together to reinvigorate participants’ environment has extra benefits like promoting nutrition, gender equality and social protection. For example, in Mozambique, the Food For Assets program provides female farmers with opportunities to test out innovative farming techniques designed to build their harvests’ resilience to climate change. Participants may also receive agricultural training, which boosts their income and access to food.

4. Help Rural Farmers Connect to Markets

One of the cruelest ironies of hunger is its disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers—the very people who grow food for a living. Small-scale farmers make up the majority of people living in poverty. Their economic losses come from lack of access to production inputs like proper storage, fertilizer and farming equipment as well as constant challenges from climate extremes.

The U.N. World Food Programme works to connect small-scale farmers to local economies while providing them with the resources to improve production, reduce their post-harvest losses, develop business skills and gain access to financial tools.

In over 40 countries the U.N. World Food Programme connects small-scale farmers to markets so that they can supply their own communities with lifesaving food. The program Purchase for Progress (P4P) partners farmers with the private sector, encouraging investments that diversify their crops and expand their business prospects.

5. Reduce Food Waste & Food Loss

The world produces more than enough food to feed everyone, and yet 828 million people still go to bed hungry each night. In high-income countries, 40% of food is wasted because people buy more food than they can consume. In low-income countries, where the vast majority of the world’s hungriest people live, most food loss occurs during the early stages of growth, harvest and storage.

The U.N. World Food Programme is working to eliminate food loss and waste by:

• Providing farmers with modern storage equipment like silos and air-tight bags
• Offering long-lasting foods like flour, dried beans and salt – all properly packaged in sturdy containers
• Investing in innovations like hydroponics that allow communities to grow, sell and store food in the harshest conditions
• Selling and storing food in impossible places due to exposure of extreme temperatures, excess dust and general pollution
• Advocating for policy that distributes American-grown crops to people in need – like the U.S. Farm Bill which supplies the U.N. World Food Programme with U.S. agricultural commodities like rice, corn, wheat and soybeans for people abroad.

6. Eliminate Malnutrition in Mothers & Children

5% of deaths among children under age 5 are caused by malnutrition. The first two years of a baby’s life are critical when it comes to receiving the nourishment they need to grow into a healthy adult. From Fortified Blended Foods to High Energy Biscuits, the U.N. World Food Programme ensures millions of children and pregnant and nursing women have access to specialized nutritious food. Last year, the U.N. World Food Programme reached more than 17 million mothers and children with programs to prevent and treat malnutrition.

What You Can Do to End World Hunger

Zero Hunger may seem like an impossible goal, but through these six solutions we can make this dream a reality. The U.N. World Food Programme plays a vital role in that work by:

• Ensuring people in conflict-affected areas will not have food weaponized against them

• Anticipating, responding to and building resilience against the shocks and stresses of climate extremes
• Leveraging social safety nets, cash assistance and infrastructure to financially empower communities and local markets
• Connecting small-scale farmers with the tools they need to maintain sustainable agriculture for their country’s food security
• Making sure that the ample food that is grown across the world does not go to waste due to improper management or redistribution
• Protecting groups affected by or at risk of malnutrition (primarily mothers and children) by supplying them with specialized nutritious foods

You also play a vital role in ending world hunger. There are a lot of ways you can be part of creating a Zero Hunger world like playing the Freerice game, signing advocacy petitions or starting a fundraising campaign. Discover how you can be part of the solution for global hunger.

Unless action is taken now, millions of people have the potential to fall into deeper levels of hunger. We can respond to this global emergency by addressing hunger at its root causes. We all have an obligation to build a future that better serves our planet and all the people that live on it.

This article talks about a continuing partnership between Walmar, Sam's Club, and Feeding America. The initative is an ongoing attempt to combat hunger in the US and drive change. The initiative has 3 pieces to it. Walmart and Sam's Club run a fundraising campaigin where customers have the option to donate to the charity. Employees and volunteers will participate in food banks in the communities. And then finally they work to raise public awareness.

To conclude, the article emphasizes the importance of the collabaritive efforts of these three organizatoins, and states what the importance of this project is.

Walmart, Sam's Club and Feeding America Partner Again to Fight Hunger.

Spark Change in the Movement to End Hunger

Now in its 11^th year, the annual cause marketing campaign has helped Feeding America^® food banks secure nearly 1.9 billion meals* for people facing hunger in local communities.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 11^th consecutive year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs are teaming up with their customers, members, suppliers and associates for the annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign to support the Feeding America^® network of partner food banks.

Since its inception in 2014, Fight Hunger. Spark Change. has generated more than $186 million for Feeding America and local food banks, helping to secure nearly 1.9 billion meals* for people facing hunger.

"Walmart and Sam's Club have demonstrated extraordinary commitment over the course of our partnership. With partnerships like this, we can end hunger in this country," said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America's CEO. "They understand the importance of fresh, nutritious food for thriving communities, and their support transcends beyond dollars and pounds - together with people facing hunger, our teams are helping to build new pathways to equitable food access for all."

The campaign will run online and in stores from April 1-April 29. Shoppers have three easy ways to support neighbors in need:

• For every participating product purchased in store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) on behalf of a Feeding America partner food bank at Walmart and five meals ($0.50) at Sam's Club, up to applicable limits. See specially marked packages for full details.
   
• Donate at check-out in stores or clubs or online at Walmart.com and the Walmart app.
   
• Donate at Feeding America's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign site at either www.FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub.

During the campaign, all donations stay local. Sales-activated supplier donations and register donations are directed to a local Feeding America partner food bank located within a store or club's community.

"Serving communities and expanding access to affordable, healthy food lies at the heart of Walmart and Sam's Club's purpose to help people live better," said Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Walmart and President, Walmart Foundation. "Our annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is a way that we invite our customers, members and suppliers to fight hunger alongside us. The funds raised through this campaign go toward local Feeding America food banks, meaning we can all make a difference in our own neighborhoods."

For nearly 20 years, Walmart, Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation have worked with Feeding America, local food banks, food pantries and meals programs to transform the charitable food experience, supporting Feeding America and local food banks with more than $240 million in investments – nearly $160 million from the company and the Walmart Foundation and nearly $85 million from customers and members.

The 20 participating suppliers for Walmart include: Bush Brothers & Company; CELSIUS^® Essential Energy Drink; The Coca-Cola Company; Conagra Brands; Dole Packaged Foods; Ferrara; Ferrero; General Mills; The Hain Celestial Group; Hershey Salty Snacks; Hidden Valley Ranch; Kellanova; W.K. Kellogg Company; Keurig Dr Pepper; Kodiak; Kraft Heinz; Monster Energy; Pepsi-Cola Advertising & Marketing, Inc.; Unilever

The 8 participating suppliers for Sam's Club include: General Mills; W.K. Kellogg Company; Kraft Heinz; Nestlé; Nissin; Nongshim; Palmetto Gourmet Foods, A Borealis Foods Company; Unilever

To learn more about the campaign, visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/campaigns/fight-hunger-spark-change. 

*Currently, $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America^® on behalf of local partner food banks.

This article talks about a continuing partnership between Walmar, Sam's Club, and Feeding America. The initative is an ongoing attempt to combat hunger in the US and drive change. The initiative has 3 pieces to it. Walmart and Sam's Club run a fundraising campaigin where customers have the option to donate to the charity. Employees and volunteers will participate in food banks in the communities. And then finally they work to raise public awareness.

To conclude, the article emphasizes the importance of the collabaritive efforts of these three organizatoins, and states what the importance of this project is.

Now in its 11^th year, the annual cause marketing campaign has helped Feeding America^® food banks secure nearly 1.9 billion meals* for people facing hunger in local communities.

CHICAGO, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 11^th consecutive year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs are teaming up with their customers, members, suppliers and associates for the annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign to support the Feeding America^® network of partner food banks.

Since its inception in 2014, Fight Hunger. Spark Change. has generated more than $186 million for Feeding America and local food banks, helping to secure nearly 1.9 billion meals* for people facing hunger.

"Walmart and Sam's Club have demonstrated extraordinary commitment over the course of our partnership. With partnerships like this, we can end hunger in this country," said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America's CEO. "They understand the importance of fresh, nutritious food for thriving communities, and their support transcends beyond dollars and pounds - together with people facing hunger, our teams are helping to build new pathways to equitable food access for all."

The campaign will run online and in stores from April 1-April 29. Shoppers have three easy ways to support neighbors in need:

• For every participating product purchased in store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) on behalf of a Feeding America partner food bank at Walmart and five meals ($0.50) at Sam's Club, up to applicable limits. See specially marked packages for full details.
   
• Donate at check-out in stores or clubs or online at Walmart.com and the Walmart app.
   
• Donate at Feeding America's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign site at either www.FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub.

During the campaign, all donations stay local. Sales-activated supplier donations and register donations are directed to a local Feeding America partner food bank located within a store or club's community.

"Serving communities and expanding access to affordable, healthy food lies at the heart of Walmart and Sam's Club's purpose to help people live better," said Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Walmart and President, Walmart Foundation. "Our annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is a way that we invite our customers, members and suppliers to fight hunger alongside us. The funds raised through this campaign go toward local Feeding America food banks, meaning we can all make a difference in our own neighborhoods."

For nearly 20 years, Walmart, Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation have worked with Feeding America, local food banks, food pantries and meals programs to transform the charitable food experience, supporting Feeding America and local food banks with more than $240 million in investments – nearly $160 million from the company and the Walmart Foundation and nearly $85 million from customers and members.

The 20 participating suppliers for Walmart include: Bush Brothers & Company; CELSIUS^® Essential Energy Drink; The Coca-Cola Company; Conagra Brands; Dole Packaged Foods; Ferrara; Ferrero; General Mills; The Hain Celestial Group; Hershey Salty Snacks; Hidden Valley Ranch; Kellanova; W.K. Kellogg Company; Keurig Dr Pepper; Kodiak; Kraft Heinz; Monster Energy; Pepsi-Cola Advertising & Marketing, Inc.; Unilever

The 8 participating suppliers for Sam's Club include: General Mills; W.K. Kellogg Company; Kraft Heinz; Nestlé; Nissin; Nongshim; Palmetto Gourmet Foods, A Borealis Foods Company; Unilever

To learn more about the campaign, visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/campaigns/fight-hunger-spark-change. 

*Currently, $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America^® on behalf of local partner food banks.

About Feeding America 
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

Walmart 
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately 11,500 stores under 56 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2020 revenue of $524 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart. 

Sam's Club 
Sam's Club^®, a division of Walmart, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Now in its 37th year, Sam's Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Member's Mark items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go, Club Pickup and home delivery service in select markets. To learn more about Sam's Club, visit the Sam's Club Newsroom, shop at SamsClub.com, and interact with Sam's Club on Twitter and Facebook.

Sustainable agriculture aims to meet present food and textile needs without compromising future generations' ability to do the same. It integrates three main objectives: a healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. This holistic approach involves everyone in the food system, from growers to consumers, in ensuring sustainability.

Practices and Effects of Sustainable Agriculture

Practitioners of sustainable agriculture employ various methods to promote soil health, minimize water use, and reduce pollution levels on farms. Consumers and retailers can support sustainability by choosing foods grown using environmentally friendly methods. Researchers in sustainable agriculture often collaborate across disciplines to address complex challenges in food production.

Key Sustainable Farming Practices and Their Effects

1. Soil Health: Practices like cover cropping, composting, and reduced tillage help maintain soil fertility and structure, reducing erosion and improving long-term productivity.

2. Water Management: Techniques such as improved irrigation systems, drought-resistant crop selection, and water conservation measures help mitigate water scarcity and contamination.

3. Energy Efficiency: Sustainable farming reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources by optimizing resource use and transitioning to renewable energy where feasible.

4. Air Quality: Strategies like reducing tillage, incorporating crop residues, and planting windbreaks help minimize air pollution from agricultural activities.

5. Livestock Integration: Integrating livestock with crop production enhances soil fertility, reduces waste, and improves overall farm sustainability.

6. Diversification: Growing a variety of crops enhances farm resilience economically and ecologically, reducing vulnerability to pests and market fluctuations.

7. Efficient Input Use: Sustainable agriculture emphasizes natural, renewable, and on-farm inputs, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals and minimizing environmental impacts.

The Economic, Social & Political Context of Sustainable Agriculture

Achieving sustainability in agriculture requires changes in public policies, economic institutions, and social values. Policy reforms, land use planning, labor rights, rural community development, and consumer education are crucial aspects of creating a more sustainable food system. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to address these challenges effectively.

In summary, sustainable agriculture is not just a set of practices but a comprehensive approach to food production that balances environmental, economic, and social considerations. By adopting sustainable farming practices and promoting supportive policies, we can build a more resilient and equitable food system for future generations.

The study, published in Nature Food, found that more potassium is being removed from agricultural soils than is being added, throughout many regions of the world. It also gives a series of recommendations for how to mitigate the issue.

Potassium is a vital nutrient for plant growth that helps with photosynthesis and respiration, the lack of which can inhibit plant growth and reduce crop yields. Farmers often spread potassium-rich fertilisers over their fields to replenish the depleted nutrient, but supply issues can inhibit its use, and there are lingering questions about its environmental impact.

The researchers report that globally, about 20% of agricultural soils face severe potassium deficiency, with particular regions likely to experience more critical shortages, including 44% of agricultural soils in South-East Asia, 39% in Latin America, 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 20% in East Asia, largely due to more intensive agricultural practices.

Co-author Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) said: "Potassium is critical to sustaining the crop yields that keep the world fed, and its depletion poses a significant threat to the food security of millions of people around the world. This is an overlooked issue that needs to be addressed with a range of actions as the world population continues to grow."

Farmers often rely on potash as a fertiliser to replenish their field's potassium, but the price of the mineral can be quite volatile. Potash production is highly concentrated, with just twelve countries dominating the nearly £12 billion international market for potassium fertilisers, with Canada, Russia, Belarus and China producing 80% of the world's total raw potash.

The researchers highlight how in April 2022, the price of potash increased 500% above the previous year following a "perfect storm" of factors, including rising fertiliser demand, escalating fuel prices, recovery from the pandemic, a range of government actions around the world, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia and Belarus together export about 42% of the word's potash supply, but following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, US, Canada and the EU imposed import sanctions on the two countries, disrupting global supplies and exacerbating the price spike.

Since the initial price spike, the cost of potash has fallen by about 50%, but remains elevated, raising concerns that farmers will not be able to access sufficient fertiliser to maintain food supplies under the current system.

Co-author Dr Peter Alexander of the University of Edinburgh said: "The volatility of potash prices has major implications across the global food system. Access to potassium is vital for farmers to maintain their crop yields, but the recent high cost of potash makes it more difficult for the most vulnerable to obtain."

This market concentration and vulnerability is one of the reasons the researchers have called for better potassium management and a robust intergovernmental coordination mechanism. Currently there are no national or international policies or regulations governing the sustainable management of soil potassium akin to the systems that are being established for other vital crop nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

In 2021, global potash consumption reached 45 million tonnes, with global production projected to rise to about 69 million tonnes in 2025 with new projects starting up in Belarus, Canada, Russia, Australia, Eritrea and the UK. However, potash mining has raised human rights concerns and has significant impacts on the environment. Potash mining generates millions of tonnes of refuse mostly composed of sodium chloride salts, which can leach into soils and salinise soil and water tables, harming plants and animals.

The impacts of potassium fertiliser runoff into local ecosystems are poorly understood, and the researchers recommend more study about its effects.

Lead author Will Brownlie of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: "The environmental impact of potash mining and use in agriculture is something that needs greater scrutiny. There's much that we still don't understand about the effects that artificial potassium enrichment has on nearby ecosystems. By wisely handling nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium together, we can reap multiple benefits, prevent pollution, boost crop yields, and minimise nutrient loss. It's about coordinating our approach for better farming outcomes."

The researchers put forward six recommendations for policies and practices to prevent potential crop yield declines, safeguard farmers from price volatility and address environmental concerns. The recommendations include:

Setting up a global assessment of current potassium stocks and flows to identify the most at-risk countries and regions
Establishing national capabilities for monitoring, predicting and responding to potassium price fluctuations
Helping farmers maintain sufficient soil potassium levels with further research about the yield implications of limited potassium in various crops and soils
Evaluating the environmental effects of potash mining and developing sustainable application practices
Developing a global circular potassium economy that minimises the use and maximises the reuse and recycling of the nutrient
Increasing intergovernmental cooperation through the UN and other agencies to develop global policy coordination akin to what's been developed for nitrogen

The GHI is an annual peer-reviewed report that tracks hunger in countries on a multi-dimensional scale. According to the report, released Thursday, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh all continue to rank higher than India on the index compiled annually by international NGO Concern Worldwide and German private aid agency Welthungerhilfe. 

India falls in the ‘serious’ category of the ‘Hunger Severity Scale’ of the GHI, similar to last year, when it ranked 107 out of 121 countries. The scale ranges from 50 (extremely alarming hunger).

However, the problem area, in India’s case, is the child wasting rates.

Child wasting rates indicate acute undernutrition, according to the GHI, and India has the highest rates in the world — 18.7 percent in 2023, as against 19.3 percent in 2022.

In response to the report, the Ministry of Women & Child Development in a statement issued Thursday, said the report had “serious methodological issues” and a “malafide intent” and that it “continues to be an erroneous measure” of hunger.

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Countering the GHI findings, the ministry cited central government schemes including Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, which are aimed at challenging malnutrition in the country.

“Three out of the four indicators used for calculation of the index are related to the health of children and cannot be representative of the entire population,” it said.

The ministry further contended that the “fourth and most important indicator ‘Proportion of Undernourished (PoU) population’ is based on an opinion poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3000”.

However, Dr Arun Gupta, central coordinator of the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), told ThePrint that, regardless of the findings of international reports or their veracity, the issue of malnutrition in India remains. 

“A child who is malnourished requires the same set of interventions regardless of what any index reports,” said Gupta, formerly a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges. “Instead of denying or rejecting international reports, we should focus on reducing malnutrition in the country,” he added.

Also Read: As PM’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ urges awareness, experts say malnutrition as much a food availability issue

Methodology & sources

According to its stated methodology, the Global Hunger Index uses published data from “internationally recognized sources”.

It looks at four main categories: undernourishment (percentage of population with insufficient caloric intake), child wasting (percentage of children under 5 with low weight for their height), child stunting (percentage of children under 5 with low height for their age), and child mortality (percentage of children who die before the age of 5). 

It used data from sources that are included in the WHO’s Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) and the WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. 

For India, these included the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), which is conducted by the Government of India, the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation report (UN IGME), and the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

The latest SOFI report is what the Government of India has cited to raise an issue with the GHI. The SOFI report had pegged the undernourishment value of India at 16.6 percent, based on information provided by the FAO.

The FAO normally relies on data from every country’s household consumption and expenditure surveys to calculate the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU). India’s last available household consumption and expenditure data is for the year 2011-12, since the 2017-18 data was not released by the government due to issues with the ‘quality of data’.

In places where suitable national survey data is not available, the FAO has to rely on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) to calculate the PoU. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) that the SOFI report relied on is a poll with eight questions asked to 3,000 respondents, to calculate the undernourishment value of India.

According to the ministry’s statement, this data is “not only wrong and unethical but reeks of obvious bias”.

The ministry also stated that the GHI should have used data from the Poshan Tracker application, launched in 2021 by the government to track child healthcare indicators. 

However, the GHI website clarifies that the Poshan Tracker data is not verified by either the Joint Malnutrition Estimates and/or the WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. 

The statement issued by the ministry also said that there was “hardly any evidence” that child mortality, one of the key indicators in the report, was caused by hunger. 

“Be it undernutrition, lack of access to healthcare, or breastfeeding — they are all due to system failures,” Gupta told ThePrint. “You can call it a hunger index or a health index if it makes it more accurate, but the numbers stay the same.”

CAMBRIDGE – Ethiopia has long suffered from recurrent large-scale famines, most notably in the early 1980s, when at least one million people died, and millions more were displaced. This year, however, Ethiopia has become a net exporter of wheat for the first time, an extraordinary feat given its vulnerability to climate change and food-security crises.

While many factors contributed to this accomplishment, it mainly reflects the central role that new technologies have played in transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. By boosting crop yields and building resilience to extreme weather, these innovations have proven particularly helpful in regions facing worsening droughts and other climate risks

The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, established by the International Fertilizer Development Center, has been instrumental in deploying proven and high-performance agricultural technologies at scale, with the aim of helping farmers increase the production of millet, maize, rice, wheat, and other staples. As a result of the yield-increasing performance of these technologies, the area allocated to heat-tolerant wheat varieties in Ethiopia has grown from 5,000 hectares in 2018 to more than 2.2 million hectares in 2023, putting the country on the path to food self-sufficiency.

The “polycrisis” world of increasingly volatile global supply chains has accelerated the drive toward greater self-reliance. The war in Ukraine triggered a surge in food prices in Africa, with the wheat sub-index, for example, reaching a multiyear high in May 2022. Ethiopia was hit particularly hard, because it had been importing almost half of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Now the continent is reeling from the export ban that India, the world’s largest rice exporter, recently imposed on several varieties.

Amid this challenging environment, the Ethiopian government’s remarkable ability to use technology to boost domestic production and to reduce the risks associated with over-reliance on food imports may well represent a breakthrough. Such progress, especially in a country that was an agricultural basket case for several humiliating decades, offers hope for Africa, which has been on the frontline of the climate crisis, with food insecurity often fueling political unrest.

Consider, for example, that cereal yields in Africa have stagnated to 1,589 kilograms per hectare, far below the global average of 4,153 kilograms. There are many reasons for this, but chief among them is the chronic technological deficit. The lack of agro-processing and high value-added industries is another longstanding hurdle to increasing agricultural output and productivity growth on the continent, and has also exacerbated post-harvest losses estimated at about 30-50% of total food production in Africa.

Compounding the problem is the limited use of fertilizer on the continent and excessive dependence on rainfed agriculture. At around 7.6 million metric tons in 2021, fertilizer use is far lower than in East Asia (61.9 million metric tons) and South Asia (38.7 million metric tons), while the dearth of irrigation systems and other water-management tools is especially worrisome in light of the accelerating pace of global warming. These shortcomings have precipitated a rise in extreme hunger, with many communities on the continent facing the worst food crisis in 40 years.

But the consequences of geopolitical upheaval and intensifying climate risks extend beyond food security to create a vicious cycle of droughts, floods, macroeconomic instability, and balance-of-payments crises across the continent. Around 85% of the food in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is imported, largely owing to the region’s weather-sensitive agriculture. The continent now spends around $75 billion annually on cereal imports, depleting foreign-exchange reserves and increasing exchange-rate pressures. (Most African currencies depreciated sharply in 2022, with the Ethiopian birr growing especially weak.) This import dependence negatively affects the balance of payments, with increasingly frequent global supply shocks exacerbating the region’s vulnerability.

Africa’s food-import bill is set to rise dramatically in the coming years, partly because of geopolitically induced shocks and projected population growth. But global warming will also fuel this surge. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, five of the ten countries most affected by climate change in 2019 were in SSA, where one-third of the world’s droughts occur but less than 1% of arable land is equipped with irrigation. The World Bank estimates that, if global temperatures rise to 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2050, crop production in SSA will decrease by 10%.

Such a gloomy prediction may well come true. This year is on track to be the hottest on record, around 1.4°C above pre-industrial average temperatures. Moreover, if greenhouse-gas emissions continue to rise at current rates, climate models predict an additional 4°C of warming during this century. The need for greater investment in climate mitigation and adaptation has never been clearer.

Faced with over-reliance on food imports and daunting climate forecasts, Africa must move away from the traditional rainfed model of agricultural production. Following Ethiopia’s lead, the continent should embrace technology to boost agricultural productivity and improve food security. This will require aggressive investment in precision-agriculture technologies, such as variable-rate irrigation, that maximize productivity in a resource-constrained environment.

In addition to water-saving innovations, policymakers should invest in high-yield seed varieties that perform well under dry conditions and in agricultural equipment to mechanize the sector. Improved infrastructure, including solar-powered irrigation systems and digital technologies that allow farmers to access early-warning systems and improve efficiency, will also be essential.

Deploying a wide range of technologies to transform Africa’s agriculture sector will address food-security concerns as well as environmental and sustainability issues. Such a move is long overdue: even though Africa is home to more than 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, it has yet to benefit from the green revolution that has boosted yields elsewhere. The harsh realities of climate change and geopolitical upheaval may finally create sufficiently strong incentives to unlock the continent’s potential and ensure greater self-sufficiency and resilience in food production.

Thirst and Hunger Grow in Besieged Gaza Amid

Israeli Bombardment

Residents wait in line for hours for bread and water, with fights sometimes breaking out. The United Nations has called the situation a humanitarian catastrophe.

Waiting with jugs to fill up at one of the few water stations still functioning in the southern town of Khan Younis on Tuesday.Credit...Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Mohammed Aborjela, 27, used to document daily life in the Gaza Strip on his Instagram account before the war, videos about a crab dish prepared along the seaside or pigeon racing in the coastal enclave.

Now, he has turned to documenting daily life under Israeli bombardment. On Sunday, he posted a story about the daily struggle to find drinking water.

He records snippets as he walks, carrying a bright yellow jug to one of the few water stations still functioning in the southern city of Khan Younis. At the station, people — many of them children who struggle to carry the full jugs home — jostle for position in a chaotic line to fill up on well water.

“There’s no more water in the taps, so we have to go get water in this way,” Mr. Aborjela, a project coordinator with the development organization Youth Without Borders, told The New York Times. “The conditions for filling up water are not healthy. People are on top of one another and people are getting sick.”

Gaza, blockaded by Israel and Egypt for 16 years, has long had a precarious water supply. Residents relied on groundwater filtered at water stations, desalination plants, a pipeline from Israel and bottled imports.

Now, the taps have run dry, trucks are no longer refilling household water tanks, and the desalination plants have largely ground to a halt for lack of electricity and fuel. Israel imposed a siege on Gaza on Oct. 9 — cutting off water, food, electricity and fuel — in response to the attack on Israel two days earlier by Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that rules the strip.

Survival in Gaza now means not only escaping death from the thousands of Israeli airstrikes that have rained down over the past two weeks, but also finding enough to eat and drink. The United Nations has called the situation a humanitarian catastrophe and has warned that all of Gaza is in danger of running out of water as a result of the Israeli siege.

Walking past a destroyed building in the central Gaza Strip on Monday.Credit...Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Some Gazans are skipping multiple meals just to ensure their children are able to eat. Others have resorted to drinking brackish water or mixing potable water with contaminated water.

The streets are filled with people carrying jugs or bottles to fill whenever they have the chance. The lucky ones have donkey-drawn carts: Few vehicles are on the streets these days as what little fuel is left in Gaza is mostly reserved for ambulances to ferry the dead and injured and to run hospital generators.

Israeli drones buzz in the sky overhead and airstrikes regularly pound the crowded and impoverished territory that is home to more than two million Palestinians. Even after the Israeli military ordered more than a million of them to evacuate the northern half of Gaza and head south ahead of an expected ground invasion, the south has not escaped deadly bombardments.

Every morning, Alee Dababish, 19, leaves the home where she and her family have sought shelter in southern Gaza in search of the day’s water and bread. Her family, including four young children, have been in Khan Younis for 11 days after fleeing their home in Gaza City in the north when airstrikes hit the buildings around them, she said.

Alee Dababish, center right, lining up to buy bread in Khan Younis. At home, she and the other adults often skip meals and go to bed hungry in order to ensure the children can eat, she said.Credit...Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

“We come here even as we’re afraid they might strike the bakery, but we have no other choice. We have to come here to feed the children,” Ms. Dababish said on Tuesday while standing in a line with her sister. “We know at any moment they can strike the bakery or around the bakery.”

The head of the Hamas government’s media office, Salama Maarouf, said in a statement on Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes had destroyed a bakery at Al Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, hours after UNRWA, the U.N. agency that aids Palestinian refugees, supplied it with flour sacks to make bread for tens of thousands of displaced people.

Four aid convoys that reached Gaza from neighboring Egypt in recent days have brought in water and food.

Mr. Maarouf went on to accuse Israel of bombing 10 bakeries across the Gaza Strip as of Wednesday.

Asked about these allegations, the Israeli military said it “only and specifically strikes military targets. The allegations to the contrary are abhorrent and spread disinformation that put civilians at risk.”

Ms. Dababish said she sometimes waited in line for hours to buy bread and had seen fights break out. Sometimes she walks from bakery to bakery just to buy a loaf. Some don’t have gas to power their ovens while at others the line is too long.

6.6 million people face acute food insecurity

40,000 people face catastrophic hunger

1.8 million children face acute malnutrition

Click on source to explore What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the Somalia emergency

    The United Arab Emirates is known for its remarkable progress and development in various sectors. However, even in a prosperous nation like the UAE, the issue of global hunger remains a concern. Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, as set by the United Nations, calls for global action to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. Students in the UAE can play a significant role in contributing to this noble cause. Here's how they can make a difference:

1. Raise Awareness

   One of the first steps in addressing any global issue is to raise awareness. Students can organize awareness campaigns and initiatives within their schools and communities to educate others about the magnitude of the hunger problem, both locally and globally. They can utilize social media, organize seminars, or create informative posters to spread the message.

2. Support Local Charities and Food Banks

   Supporting local charities and food banks is a practical way to help alleviate hunger within the UAE. Many students can volunteer their time, collect non-perishable food items, or organize food drives within their schools. These contributions can make a substantial impact on the lives of less fortunate individuals and families within the UAE.

3. Reduce Food Waste

   Food waste is a significant issue contributing to global hunger. UAE students can lead by example and promote responsible consumption. They can start by reducing their own food waste and educating their peers and families on the importance of mindful food consumption. Initiatives like 'no food waste' campaigns and encouraging the use of leftovers can go a long way.

4. Learn About Sustainable Agriculture

   Understanding sustainable agriculture practices is crucial for achieving Zero Hunger. UAE students can take an interest in learning about local farming techniques, hydroponics, and other sustainable farming methods that can help ensure a stable food supply. This knowledge can also be shared with local farmers and communities.

5. Advocate for Policy Change

   Students have a voice, and they can use it to advocate for policy changes at both the local and national levels. Encourage policymakers to create initiatives and policies that promote food security and reduce food waste. Collaborate with youth organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to lobby for change.

6. Engage in Food Drives

   Students can organize food drives in their schools and communities to collect non-perishable items for those in need. Such initiatives not only help provide essential resources to the hungry but also foster a sense of community and solidarity.

7. Academic Initiatives

   Engage in academic initiatives related to food security. Encourage research and innovation in fields like agriculture, food technology, and distribution. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, students can contribute to more efficient and sustainable food systems.

8. Collaboration and Partnerships

   Collaborate with schools, universities, NGOs, and governmental organizations to implement projects and programs aimed at reducing hunger. Partnerships can provide resources, guidance, and a platform to scale up efforts.

9. Youth-Led Projects

   Initiate or participate in youth-led projects that directly address hunger. These projects could involve growing community gardens, organizing fundraising events, or providing educational resources to underserved communities.

10. Education and Career Choices

   Consider educational and career paths that focus on food security, agriculture, and sustainable development. UAE students can contribute to Zero Hunger not only through direct action but also by becoming experts and professionals in the field.

In Conclusion

   Students in the UAE have the potential to play a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. By raising awareness, supporting local initiatives, reducing food waste, advocating for policy changes, and actively engaging in the fight against hunger, they can make a significant impact. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, their efforts can contribute not only to local food security but also to the broader global goal of ending hunger by 2030.

Introduction:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations, represent a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Among these goals, SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, stands as a fundamental commitment to eliminate hunger and achieve food security by 2030. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken significant steps to contribute to the realization of this goal, with unwavering dedication and strategic initiatives.

Background:

Hunger remains a pressing global issue, with nearly 9% of the world's population suffering from chronic undernourishment. The UAE recognizes that addressing this challenge is not only a moral imperative but also essential for achieving sustainable development. Food security is a crucial component of the country's strategy to build a better future for its citizens and contribute to global well-being.

Objectives:

The UAE has set ambitious objectives for SDG 2, which includes:

1. Eradicating hunger and malnutrition within its borders.
2. Supporting global initiatives to combat food scarcity through sustainable agriculture and responsible consumption.
3. Ensuring food security for vulnerable populations both domestically and internationally.

Methodology:

The UAE's approach to achieving Zero Hunger revolves around a combination of innovative policies, international partnerships, and the efficient allocation of resources. Key strategies include:

1. Investing in advanced agricultural technologies to increase food production.
2. Promoting sustainable farming practices to safeguard the environment.
3. Supporting research and development in the food and agriculture sectors.
4. Collaborating with international organizations to provide humanitarian aid in crisis areas.
5. Implementing food security policies that aim to reduce food waste and improve supply chain efficiency.

Key Features and Benefits:

 The UAE's commitment to SDG 2 brings numerous benefits, both locally and globally:

1. Food Security: Improved access to safe and nutritious food for its citizens, reducing hunger and malnutrition.
2. Economic Growth: Investment in the agricultural sector fosters economic growth and job creation.
3. Sustainable Development: The UAE's initiatives promote sustainable farming practices, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
4. International Diplomacy: By supporting global initiatives, the UAE strengthens its international standing and builds valuable alliances.
5. Improved Health and Well-being: Enhanced nutrition and food security lead to better public health outcomes.

Expected Outcome:

By 2030, the UAE envisions a nation free from hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, the country aims to be a global leader in sustainable agriculture and a key contributor to the international fight against food scarcity.

Timeline:

The UAE's commitment to SDG 2 is a long-term initiative. While the ultimate goal is to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030, the country has established specific milestones and targets for each year. Progress is monitored through comprehensive data analysis, ensuring that the nation remains on track to meet its objectives.

Budget for 2023 and 2024:

The UAE's budget for 2023 and 2024 reflects its dedication to SDG 2. In 2023, the country has allocated $X billion to support hunger eradication programs, agricultural development, and humanitarian aid. For 2024, the budget is expected to increase to $Y billion, signifying the UAE's continued commitment to this essential goal.

 Eradicating hunger and achieving food security is a global responsibility. Individuals, businesses, and governments must come together to support this critical cause. The UAE's efforts to combat hunger serve as a shining example of a nation's dedication to the greater good. Everyone can contribute by reducing food waste, supporting sustainable agriculture, and advocating for hunger eradication both locally and internationally.

In conclusion SDG 2 - Zero Hunger is not just a goal; it's a shared commitment to ensuring a better future for all. The UAE's dedication to this noble cause is a testament to the nation's vision and determination. By working together, we can make significant progress towards a world free from hunger, where every individual has access to safe and nutritious food. It's time for all of us to take action and support this important mission.

The Current State of Hunger:
As per the United Nations, there are still 815 million people worldwide who suffer from chronic hunger. Additionally, the growing global population is expected to reach an additional 2 billion people by 2050, intensifying the challenges in meeting their nutritional needs. This situation necessitates a radical transformation in the global food and agriculture system to effectively address hunger and poverty.

Importance of Sustainable Agriculture:
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries play a crucial role in achieving SDG 2. By adopting sustainable agricultural practices, we can ensure the production of nutritious food while protecting the environment and enhancing rural development. Sustainable agriculture goes beyond just increasing productivity; it emphasizes the need to maintain ecosystems, adapt to climate change, and improve land and soil quality.

Promoting Resilient Agricultural Practices:
Resilient agricultural practices are essential for coping with the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, and other disasters. The article talks about various farming strategies such as living covers, diversified rotations, and drought-tolerant crop options. These practices contribute to sustainable food production systems and strengthen the capacity for adaptation. Investments in research, technology, and innovation are vital to developing resilient agricultural methods.

Targets and Indicators of SDG 2:
SDG 2 specifies targets and indicators that guide and track progress towards achieving Zero Hunger. Two significant targets related to this goal include:

1. Target 2.3: Doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers

In 2022, the African region accounted for the highest level of hunger as described by Global Hunger Index. According to the World Health Organization, over 340 million Africans were undernourished and severely food insecure between 2014 and 2020.

Low agricultural productivity and post-harvest losses are some of the reasons.

Evidence from the past two decades suggests that genetically modified (GM) crops could resolve low agricultural productivity, nutrition and food insecurity on the continents. 

But the technology is controversial. In Africa, only Nigeria, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan, South Africa and Kenya allow commercial production and importation of GM products. Other African countries oppose them, largely because of the European Union (EU) stance on GM products, limited scientific capacity and the high cost of regulation.

The EU’s strict regulations on GM products have affected its trade partners, including countries in Africa. Egypt and Burkina Faso, which had commercialised GM maize and cotton in 2008, backtracked on GM partly because of their trade relationship with the EU.

In 2013 I led the largest study in the history of GM agriculture in Africa. It provided new perspectives on the status, development and regulation of GM crops, through the views of 305 stakeholders in six African countries.

In the study, my team and I developed a framework for adopting GM crops which we called fibre-feed-food (F-3). The F-3 framework adopts GM cotton (fibre) first, followed by GM feed for livestock, then GM food. It ensures that all necessary risk assessments are carried out between GM cotton and GM feed before producing GM food for human consumption. And it helps familiarise farmers and the public with new technology and allay their concerns about safety.

The framework has helped more than 30 African countries conduct GM crop field trials. GM products undergoing research and development include vitamin A-fortified cassava and potatoes, bacterial wilt-resistant banana and water-efficient maize, among others.

Based on my research in this area I believe that agricultural innovations such as GM crops or organisms have the potential to address food insecurity in Africa.

The promise of GM crops

The technology is already contributing to global food security. A report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications credits GM technology for the global production of 330 million tonnes of soybean and 595 million tonnes of maize over the past 25 years. The adoption of GM technology among cotton producing households in India reduced food insecurity by 15%-20% between 2004 and 2008.

Research into the value gained from planting GM crops has shown that 65% of the gain came from higher yield and production and 35% from lower costs.

Farmers in developing countries have enjoyed over half of the global value gain of US$186.1 billion since the mid-1990s. In 2019, Brazil, Argentina, India, Paraguay and China were among the 10 countries that planted the most GM crops in the world.

GM technology also offers higher nutrient content in crops. For example, a trial of sweet potato bio-fortified with pro-vitamin A succeeded in Mozambique and the product was accepted by young children. This potentially improves child health.

GM crops showed environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gases and pesticide use in developed countries. For example, a 2020 study suggested that GM technology worldwide prevented the emission of 23.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide. It means that the technology can help tackle global warming.

Obstacles to GM crops in Africa

In spite of these benefits, GM crops have not been widely adopted in Africa. Efforts to create and commercialise GM products still face stiff opposition. Uganda and Nigeria, for example, face strict regulation, limited research capacity and safety concerns.

In Uganda, a biosafety regulatory logjam, lack of awareness and politics undermine the application of GM technology. Different national biosafety policies have emerged over the past decade.

Potential risks of GM crops have led to the review and amendment of GM laws. The risks include gene flow (genes being transferred to another population), biodiversity loss and health related concerns. In 2018, a bill to regulate GM organisms in Uganda failed to be passed into law. The failure derived from disagreement between the Ugandan parliament and the president. The overwhelming majority of parliament cited risks as the reason for outlawing GM organisms in the country.

The scientific community, led by the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organisation, argues that regulations would facilitate research and development. Then there would be information to base decisions on. A decision to adopt organisms such as GM banana, for example, might reduce malnutrition and poverty.

In Nigeria, a national biosafety bill was passed into law and approved by the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in 2019. Nigeria then commercialised GM cotton. This was followed by GM cowpea to control pod borer insects, which account for a 70%-80% loss of cowpea yield annually.

Cowpea is a major source of protein and energy, especially for rural dwellers. Yet some scientists, environmentalists and consumers in Nigeria are still wary of GM cowpea. They argue that it could eradicate the use of traditional cowpea and farmers might not be able to afford the price of GM cowpea varieties.

Other scientists and agro-biotech companies believe that GM cowpea can reduce food scarcity and offer nutritional benefits. Acceptance depends a lot on local evidence. And that requires scientific capacity and partnerships with private research institutes.

What must be done

Resilient food systems require a wide range of existing and new agricultural technologies, including GM organisms. There are several ways to encourage uptake:

• increase investment in research and innovation for agricultural biotechnology

• educate and train scientists

• get local scientists involved in setting the research agenda and providing evidence to inform national decision making

• exchange ideas and information across different levels of government

• create awareness through science communication informed by local evidence of benefits and concerns.

Policy, research and science communication must align. The goal is to ensure GM foods are safe to eat, and help end hunger and malnutrition.

However, a vote at the United Nations resolution makes it appear that United States representatives believe otherwise. 

The United States voted against food as a human right, as per a UN committee’s draft resolution. 

On November 9, 2021, nations in the UN voted on whether or not food is a human right. Over 180 countries participated in the vote, with an overwhelming majority voting in favor of food as a human right. 

The United States was the only country to vote against it, with Isreal providing no vote at all. 

The vote was especially alarming and not only concerned U.S. citizens but also people around the globe, considering that world hunger is a grave issue that affects millions of people. 

The UN issued a statement in 2020, expressing concern about the lack of food and water, sharing that “the number of people lacking access to adequate food rose by 320 million ‑ to 2.4 billion ‑ amounting to nearly a third of the world’s population, and that between 720 million and 811 million people faced hunger.” 

Delegates of other nations criticized the US due to its failure to recognize the severity of the situation. “Hunger is a violation of human dignity,” Cuba’s delegate stated while addressing the UN Committee meeting, noting that the US had blocked consensus on the draft for four years in a row. 

U.S. representatives issued an explanation of the vote.

After acknowledging that hunger is a significant issue that has been on the rise, U.S. representatives believe that the resolution proposed by the UN “contains many unbalanced, inaccurate, and unwise provisions the United States cannot support.” 

“This resolution does not articulate meaningful solutions for preventing hunger and malnutrition or avoiding their devastating consequences,” they added. 

The U.S. representatives also stated that food security depends on “appropriate domestic action by governments, including regulatory and market reforms, that is consistent with international commitments.” 

However, hunger and lack of adequate food sources are not just an international crisis.

They are issues that directly impact American citizens as well. According to the USDA, over 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, experience food insecurity. Although, many of them do not qualify for federal nutrition programs that combat hunger. Therefore, many of them rely on local food banks in order to obtain meals. 

After the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult for Americans to access food. Supply chain issues have resulted in skyrocketing food prices as well as food transportation disruptions. 

Many people are left with no choice but to limit and ration their food intake, even if it means they will go to bed hungry each night. 

The U.S.’s decision to turn a blind eye to recognizing food as a basic human right is not only a threat to communities around the globe battling hunger but communities right here in our own country. 

The inequity of food sources can lead to a multitude of issues that many of us may not even realize before it is too late. Social unrest, the increase in public health costs due to the malnourishment of those struggling to provide meals for their families, and the decrease in development and economic productivity are only a few that will run rampant in the U.S. if families continue to starve. 

All human beings are born with inherent rights, simply by virtue of being human. Having access to food and water that keeps humans alive is one of those rights. 

Food is also more than just a substance to keep humans sustained. It is an integral part of a community’s cultural identity and traditions and bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. 

Even if U.S. representatives do not believe that access to food is a human right, that does not mean that U.S. citizens can not look out for each other and ensure that we are all adequately fed. 

We can volunteer with food banks, host a food drive, and support bills that impact access to nutritious meals for those in need of meals for their families. 

Something as vital as food should not be a privilege that is exclusive to the wealthy. It is a basic human necessity and right that should be granted to all.