One of the challenges of our food system is the loss of biodiversity and in particular of agro-biodiversity. To study this topic, students of the Master in Food Studies benefited from the conversation they had with Richard China, Honorary Research Fellow and Adviser for Partnerships and Communications of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture).
Richard China informed the students about the work of the Alliance to harness agricultural biodiversity through research in order to transform the food systems and thereby improve people’s lives. He reported on the strategy and the six entry points for the expected transformation, namely: reshaping food environment and consumer behavior toward healthy and sustainable diet; reducing climate risk to unlock investment in adaptation and mitigation; promoting inclusion in digital agriculture revolution; fostering innovation for environmental health and productive landscapes; making agricultural and tree diversity available for diverse needs and putting nutrition at heart of crop improvement to address triple burden of nutrition.
He also talked about the Agrobiodiversity Index to measure biodiversity across three domains usually disconnected: nutrition, agriculture and genetic resources. The Index is a useful tool being adopted by businesses and governments to conserve agrobiodiversity. He provided evidence of the dramatically diminishing range of plant species and foods and the neglect of many existing species. He reported on the work to expand the range and diversity of nutritious foods such as bananas, by way of example, both wild and cultivated.
Many questions were asked and the lively discussion continued among students who made the link with the partner event they followed the week earlier at the Committee on World Food Security on agro-ecology and diversified farming systems and diets.
Students of the MA in Food Studies thank Richard China for his conversation that enabled them to have a good insight on the work of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
