Top agricultural experts from the G20 are engaged in discussions on food security and strategies for climate change adaptation. During these discussions, the tragic occurrences in Southern Brazil were highlighted as a poignant example of the profound consequences stemming from global warming.
The G20 agriculture leaders convened to address critical issues of food security and the adaptation of agricultural systems to climate change, with the shared goal of ensuring a more equitable and hunger-free future for generations to come. Hosted by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa), the meeting is ongoing until May 17 at the G20 headquarters in Brasília. This gathering is part of the G20 -MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists), an annual summit bringing together heads of agricultural research organizations affiliated with ministries of agriculture or equivalent bodies across G20 countries. It serves as a platform for high-level discussions centered on agricultural research and development, aimed at raising global awareness of food security challenges and fostering collaborative international initiatives.
The recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul were underscored by all meeting participants as a poignant illustration of climate-related tragedies necessitating scientific intervention. The Brazilian delegation advocated for collaborative efforts in the medium and long term to rehabilitate arable lands and mitigate future calamities.
In addition to delegations from G20 countries, the event saw participation from experts representing ten invited countries, as well as prominent organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA, articulated, "We are witnessing a global nutritional transition. Our challenge is to produce more nutritious foods that cater to the preferences of a discerning consumer base concerned with nutrition, health, and food provenance, all while advancing sustainability."
The recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul were underscored by all meeting participants as a poignant illustration of climate-related tragedies necessitating scientific intervention. The Brazilian delegation advocated for collaborative efforts in the medium and long term to rehabilitate arable lands and mitigate future calamities.
Marcelo Morandi, the organization's Head of International Affairs, highlighted the priority of fostering a sustainable and resilient agriculture. He emphasized, "Our goal is to ensure sufficient quantity and quality of food production to combat hunger and poverty. This remains our primary focus throughout the three-day meeting."
Science, technology, and innovation play vital roles not only in fostering the advancement of sustainable practices but also in guiding public policy decisions. Over the past five decades, technological advancements in the agricultural sector have facilitated a remarkable increase in productivity, soaring from 140% to 580%, alongside a significant expansion of land usage from 20 to 70 million hectares (from 49.4 to 173 million acres). Emphasizing this progress, the president of EMBRAPA noted during the event's opening that "such achievements wouldn't have been feasible without the invaluable support of approximately five million rural producers throughout the country."
Massruhá reminded the leaders that the crisis in Rio Grande do Sul is not an isolated incident. Several extreme events have occurred in various countries, serving as a cautionary tale for the global scientific community. "Advancements in science have enhanced the accuracy of models and risk assessments, underscoring the gravity of our current situation and future challenges. We must adapt, innovate, and prepare for a prolonged period of significant disruption that will test the foundations of our existential equilibrium," emphasized the president.
Massruhá emphasized the significance of sharing experiences among the G20 countries in tackling the substantial challenges posed by climate change and food insecurity. "These issues rank highest among our priorities within the G20 agricultural research systems," she noted. Massruhá further advocated for EMBRAPA's initiatives in developing new technologies with significant impact, particularly for countries in the Global South.
Agriculture faces significant vulnerability to climate change and its ongoing impacts, with projections indicating a likelihood of exacerbation in the years ahead. According to Massruhá, "EMBRAPA and Brazil advocate for the adoption of technology and best sustainable practices, including no-till farming, integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems (ICLF), utilization of bioinputs, incorporation of new technologies, and collaborative efforts in developing sustainability metrics."
Julio Ramos, a G20 member of the agriculture working group representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), highlighted that the agricultural sector accounts for a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20% of formal employment in the country. "Through this meeting, Brazil extends an invitation to the global community to collaborate in creating a more equitable world," Ramos asserted.
Enhancing Productivity in Existing Agricultural Areas
Fernanda Machiaveli, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário e Agricultura Familiar - MDA), underscored Brazil's position as one of the world's leaders in clean energy production. She identified the country's primary challenge as enhancing productivity without expanding agricultural areas. Machiaveli commended the 51% reduction in deforestation in the Amazon, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in developing sustainable technologies capable of generating income and employment for the 30 million inhabitants of the Amazon Rainforest.
The second challenge is to ensure that small farmers, indigenous peoples, settlers, and traditional communities have access to technological advancements. "Currently, 24 million individuals from these demographics are experiencing hunger," the executive secretary revealed.
Machiaveli stressed EMBRAPA's crucial role in ensuring agricultural sustainability and underscored the necessity of concerted efforts between the organization and the MDA to devise a comprehensive set of measures for the revitalization of agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul.
Carlos Augustin, representing MAPA's Minister Carlos Fávaro, highlighted during the event that Brazil currently possesses 70 million hectares (173 million acres) of productive land alongside 160 million hectares (395 million acres) of degraded pastures.
Wellington Rocha, representing the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura - MPA), underscored the critical role of science in fostering the growth of sustainable aquaculture within Brazil's 740 conservation units spanning 8,500 kilometers (5.281 miles) of coastline. "Science serves as a potent catalyst for social inclusion, particularly in engaging young individuals in this sector," Rocha concluded.
