Spain considers the agrarian declaration of the G20
The Secretary General of Agriculture and Food, Fernando Miranda, has participated this Sunday in the meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the G-20, which has analyzed the new emerging challenges for agricultural systems, from three areas of work: the innovation for the sustainability of the agri-food sector; agrifood value chains for inclusive and sustainable growth and collaboration and exchange of knowledge on global issues.
A meeting that began last Friday in the city of Niigata in Japan, and concludes today with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration in which it advocates a more sustainable agriculture and committed to environmental challenges.
A Declaration that, as the Secretary General has indicated, reflects part of the objectives of the Spanish agrarian policy, which is committed to sustainable agriculture to feed a growing population, in a manner compatible with sustainable management of natural resources and protection enviroment.
NEED FOR INNOVATION
One of the three points on which the Declaration is based, focuses on the need for innovation for the sustainability of the agri-food sector.
On this aspect, Fernando Miranda said that from Spain it is understood that a future agriculture must be based on a solid and sustainable basis, so farmers and ranchers must have sufficient tools and support to ensure the profitability of their farms, . In this regard, he highlighted the importance of R + D + i as one of the fundamental tools of the Spanish agrarian policy, to improve the competitiveness of the sector and ensure its sustainability, both financial and environmental.
The Declaration highlights the importance of promoting innovation in agriculture through, among others, access to advanced technologies, such as ICTs, artificial intelligence or robotics, underlining the need to facilitate access to information and data of all participants through the appropriate digital infrastructure. All with public and private efforts.
It also calls for international cooperation to achieve these objectives and proposes the creation of an international forum in this field. The desirability of farmers acquiring a new range of knowledge and skills is highlighted, highlighting the need for adequate conditions so that everyone, regardless of age, sex or place, has access to them.
The declaration expressly acknowledges the important role that women play in the sector and the need to end the obstacles that impede their access to the necessary training in innovation.
In addition, the importance of training to attract new actors to the agricultural sector, especially young people and the important contribution that people trained will contribute to the sector is underlined.
AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAINS
In relation to agrifood value chains for sustainable inclusive growth in the agri-food sector, second point of the Declaration, the importance of these chains is underlined, which can contribute to increase productivity and added value for farmers and the rest of the sector ; as well as the equitable and inclusive development of them.
At this point, cooperation is also requested to reduce food waste at all stages of the chain, and support is expressed for Japan’s celebration of the Nutrition for Growth summit in Tokyo in 2020.
It also recognizes the value of an open, transparent and predictable trade and its importance in the face of the degradation of natural resources.
EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE
The third point of the Declaration focuses on collaboration and knowledge sharing to address global systems. In this regard, the Secretary General has stressed the need to maintain open collaboration channels and continue the path of multilateral cooperation.
In this same line, the Declaration points out the vulnerability of agriculture in the face of new challenges, highlighting its contribution as a solution. It also highlights the need for political conditions in which all actors can select the optimal risk management measures, highlighting the important role of scientific evaluation.
The importance of ensuring animal and plant health for a sustainable agri-food sector, food safety and environmental sustainability is underlined, promoting the exchange of information and the activities of competent international organizations.
The Declaration underlines the responsibility of ministers in the areas of food health, nutrition and health protection and the importance of training to guarantee them in developing countries.
It is also committed to continue promoting responsible investments in the agricultural sector, for which the agreed international principles are supported and the role in its promotion and promotion is reaffirmed.
Finally, the importance of the exchange of good practices is recognized and an appeal is made to the G20 to continue actively supporting this initiative, also through financial contributions as well as information.
THE COUNTRIES OF THE G-20
The G20 groups 90% of the world’s GNP, 80% of global trade – including trade within the EU – and two thirds of the world’s population.
It is composed of the G-8 countries (Germany, Canada, United States, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Russia), plus the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, South Korea, India , Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey. Spain is a permanent guest.
It is a forum for international cooperation in economic and financial matters, with a projection in the world economy, having as objectives to coordinate policies among its members to promote sustainable growth and economic stability; promote financial regulation that reduces the risk of future financial crises and reform the international
