BASF, one of the world’s leading chemical companies, connected stakeholders from the food value chain in a workshop aimed at enhancing cooperation to address challenges in the food value chain. The partnerships will focus on contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely (2) zero hunger, (3) good health and well-being, (12) responsible consumption and production, and (17) partnership for the goals.
The deliberations will also help advance the government’s food security agenda. The UN estimates that the world population will increase to 10 billion by 2050 – half of which will come from Africa. The population increase will not only have an environmental impact but also affect social issues. Chemistry as a key industry will play a pivotal role providing sustainable solutions for the challenges that arise from three major areas in “resources, environment and climate,” “food and nutrition” and “quality of life”.
Food security is a global challenge that requires a multi-stakeholder approach to enhance dialogue and build capacity to address the challenges. Stakeholders need to invest in the food value chain to ensure food security. In the workshop, information will be shared regarding best practices learnt and replicated to ensure the production of food in a sustainable manner to feed the growing population.
According to BASF’s Country Cluster Head for West Africa, Jean-Marc Ricca, the key to ensuring food security lies in public-private partnerships. “Innovations will impact how the world will feed the growing population amidst decreasing natural resources, soil degradation and climate change. The government, private sector and international organisations need to collaborate to generate multi-faceted solutions that ensure sustainable food security,” he said.
”To ensure minimum waste and food safety and quality during processing, improvements need to be implemented throughough the food value chain, from the production, processing, storage through to transportation. At BASF, we are working with stakeholders along the food value chain to provide innovative products and solutions to ensure high yields during production; food fortification ingredients to enhance the nutrition value of food and cold chain solutions to address food wastage,”added Andreas Bluethner, BASF Director of Food Fortification and Partnerships.
Participants, drawn from different sectors – government, international organisations and private sector, will combine diverse skills, backgrounds and expertise to provide innovative approaches to strengthen the local food value chain and, in turn, support the government’s agenda on food security.
BASF’s Food Fortification Initiative is a shared value business that offers innovative product solutions, technical assistance and scientific capabilities that contribute towards reducing micronutrient deficiencies. BASF implemented the program in over 40 countries by supporting multi-stakeholder alliances and public-private partnerships jointly striving towards sustainable nutritional improvements and a positive social impact.
