Agriculture is an essential part of our food system, and as the global population continues to expand, so does our reliance on it for food and nutrition. To meet this growing demand, it is estimated that agriculture will need to produce 60% more food by 2050. In an episode of the Food Fight podcast, Ilay Englard, co-founder and executive director of Trellis, discussed the need to manage compensations and understand how the decisions we make today will affect the future, particularly in dynamic systems such as agriculture. Currently, there are 147 specific eco-labels for commodities and production methods in circulation throughout Europe. These labels provide a variety of information related to environmental impact, which can be confusing for consumers.
The findings of the EIT report on food confidence further support this statement: the current proliferation of labels confuses and does not help people (1). The dialogues at events such as the UNFSS and COP26 demonstrate that there is a global recognition of the need for change, and the examples described here highlight just a few of the ways in which Europe's agri-food industry is responding to this call to action. In order to promote education and training in agriculture in the region, several strategies have been implemented. These include formulating and implementing plans that improve soil fertility maintenance to meet sustainable agricultural production and adjusting relevant agricultural policy instruments accordingly; providing support and training services that recognize the variation of agricultural circumstances and practices from place to place; promoting a more open and non-discriminatory trading system; revising national and regional agricultural policy; developing information available through non-governmental organizations; promoting an international organic farming network; and establishing a US Department of Agriculture competitive grant research program that focuses solely on sustainable agriculture. These initiatives are essential for achieving sustainable agricultural development, improving food security, developing and transferring appropriate agricultural technologies, facilitating greater integration of agricultural and environmental policies, and optimizing the use of local natural resources. By implementing these strategies, we can ensure that our food system is able to meet the needs of a growing population while also protecting our environment. The strategies outlined above are just some of the ways in which we can promote education and training in agriculture for a sustainable future.
It is important to remember that these strategies must be tailored to each region's unique circumstances in order to be effective. Additionally, it is essential that we continue to engage in dialogue with stakeholders from all sectors in order to ensure that our efforts are successful.
