Cultivating inclusive and transformational change in agriculture

On the occasion of World Food Day on October 16, The Hanoi Times is honored to introduce an Op-Ed co-compiled by Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative to Vietnam and Duong Hai Hung, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Vietnam to FAO. 

FAO Representative to Vietnam Rémi Nono Womdim.

We stand at a crossroads. Looking around the globe, we see a multitude of challenges: intensifying climate change, food insecurity, water stresses, deforestation, ailing biodiversity, and an overexploitation of resources.

As we mark World Food Day on October 16 – the anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with this year’s theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future” – it is an opportune time to remember that solutions to these generational challenges are possible.

But, they will only become a reality based on the decisions we make and the roles we play as citizens, communities, and nations.

Indeed, standing at these crossroads, it is clear that Vietnam is choosing the path of inclusive and transformational change in agriculture to help tackle these challenges.

And, Vietnam wants other countries to join it on this journey.

This pathway for other low- and middle-income countries to achieve agrifood systems transformation and ensure food security for hundreds of millions of people was mapped out by Vietnam in a keynote address at the 43rd session of the FAO Conference in July 2023 in Rome, Italy.

This three-point plan, while ambitious, is achievable for member countries with support from FAO and international partners. 

Ambassador Permanent Representative of Vietnam to FAO  Duong Hai Hung.

As a first and pivotal step on this journey, as already embarked on by Vietnam with FAO support under the Country Programming Framework (2022-2026) and clustered around each pillar of FAO’s ‘4 Betters’ framework, member countries need to become agents of change and realize efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

This can be achieved by embracing innovative ways to enhance the participation and benefits of small-scale farmers in the agricultural value chain, reduce food loss and waste, promote e-commerce, and improve traceability systems, food safety, logistics, and quality control.

Developing diverse public-private partnership models to attract private investment in sustainable agricultural value chains can help drive change. Vietnam also stands ready to promote agricultural commodity trade as the foundation for regional and global food security.

As a second step, to expedite a green and digital agricultural transformation to more diverse, sustainable, and climate-resilient food systems, Vietnam is ready to become a food innovation hub in Southeast Asia to drive green agricultural initiatives.

Finally, coordination and information-sharing in sustainable natural resource and water resource management is key.

Not only will these steps drive momentum towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, they also speak to this year’s World Food Day theme.

Realizing the ‘right to foods’ and leaving no one behind also means transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all. Only when everyone enjoys the human right to adequate food will we be able to achieve other human rights and the SDGs.

As we look forward, FAO, as a valued and trusted partner for sustainable development forged across more than 46 years of cooperation with Viet Nam, remains committed to supporting and delivering technical assistance to Vietnam and other aspiring countries to achieve more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems that realize prosperity and food security for all populations.