COP29 sets challenges for countries to address food systems and reduce waste – Features – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria & World News

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As the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) concludes in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conference has identified food waste as a major challenge, calling on countries to adopt solutions that strengthen food systems, reduce waste and support the bioeconomy.

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, who is also the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasized that the fight against food waste is important since it makes up more than 50 percent of city waste and is the main source of methane emissions.

The conference began on November 11, 2024 in Azerbaijan with the theme “Advancing global climate action: from goals to reality.” This year’s conference highlights the shift from setting climate commitments to effectively implementing them, with a focus on global equity, sustainability and financial mechanisms.

COP is a series of international meetings where world leaders review progress on the Paris Agreement and discuss actions to limit global warming.

In a session entitled “Efforts to Protect Health and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change,” the conference discussed the impact of climate change on human health and food security issues.

It also focused on strategies to mitigate losses in agriculture and fisheries that contribute to food insecurity and malnutrition, with an emphasis on the role of legislatures in adopting collaborative approaches to address these issues.

Subsequent discussions highlighted the potential of regenerative agriculture as a strategy to improve food security and resilience to climate change, particularly in the Global South.

Successful pilot projects in Asia and Africa have demonstrated that regenerative practices can increase farmers’ incomes, improve soil health and reduce climate impacts.

However, some speakers at the session noted challenges such as the initial financial investment required for the transition, potential yield losses and the need for greater policy coordination.

During COP29 Food, Agriculture and Water Day, the COP29 Presidency, in partnership with FAO, launched the Baku Harmony climate initiative for farmers. This initiative aims to bring together disparate climate action efforts across the food and agriculture sectors, helping to identify gaps and create opportunities for policies that empower farmers and support rural communities in the fight against climate change.

At a side event with the theme: “Science and innovation for sustainable, low-emission food systems,” experts highlighted the urgent link between climate change and food security, highlighting that a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture.

Speakers from CGIAR, Brazil, Azerbaijan and Japan shared scientific and policy innovations aimed at strengthening sustainable food systems through climate adaptation, strategic collaboration and technological advances to support productivity, sustainability and climate goals.

Delivering the keynote address at one of the sessions, AGRA Board Chairman Hailemariam Desalegn highlighted AGRA’s continued support for smallholder farmers and the importance of global cooperation to combat climate change in Africa.

Additionally, during a session organized jointly with UAE-CGIAR-TCC, AGRA presented the Future Food Agenda and Agri-Food System Diagnostic, promoting a unified approach to promoting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs).

The highlight of the summit was the UAE’s announcement of the development of “CHAG”, the world’s first ChatGPT tool for the agricultural community, designed to help more than one billion smallholder farmers by leveraging data from decades of research.

The innovation is part of broader discussions around climate resilience and technological transformation in agriculture, highlighting the role of AI in helping farmers adapt to climate challenges and improve decision-making.

MEANWHILE, in efforts to empower farmers and cooperative societies to combat the adverse effects of climate change, the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has joined forces with the European Union (EU), University of Agricultural and Agricultural Sciences Environment (UAES), Umuagwo and Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara State, are launching a transformative digital agriculture initiative.

The initiative began with a two-day certification training program held at the Center of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE) lecture hall.

The program aimed to train farmers and cooperative societies in the use of digital tools for sustainable farming practices and addressing climate change challenges.

Speaking at the event titled “Project Digisol”, Vice-Chancellor Professor Babatunde Kehinde highlighted the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, emphasizing the importance of using digital solutions for sustainable agriculture.

The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development, Professor Kola Adebayo, thanked the organizers for their foresight, attributing the university’s recognition as the best agricultural university in Africa to such impactful initiatives.

He encouraged participants to make the most of the training by interacting effectively with experts and networking.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Digisol Team Leader at FUNAAB, Professor Adewale Dipeolu, highlighted the increased vulnerability of rural farmers to climate change.

He highlighted the urgent need for digital solutions to improve farming practices and provide alternative livelihoods while mitigating the financial challenges farmers face due to climate change.

Professor Dipeolu, former dean of the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), pointed out key areas that farmers should focus on besides climate-smart farming practices, including digital financial solutions, improving access to markets and forming cooperative societies. .

He described the collaboration as an important milestone towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria, aimed at equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills to adapt and innovate in response to changing climate conditions.

Dipeolu also encouraged participants to take advantage of the training to exchange ideas and explore innovative strategies that can revolutionize agriculture, paving the way to a sustainable future.

UAES Coordinator Professor Chinasaoku Onyemauwa and Alhaji Tajudeen Ajala, Team Leader for Al Hikma, jointly adopted a participatory approach to ensure maximum benefit. They encouraged participants to actively share ideas and strategies that will help transform the agricultural landscape and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector for future generations. The partnerships therefore represent a significant step towards creating a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Digisol team expressed deep gratitude to the European Union for its sponsorship and unwavering commitment to supporting local farmers to build resilience to climate change.