In February, the Smart Prosperity Institute appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry as part of its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada’s food security. Food security is not just about producing more. It’s about increasing the financial and productive resiliency of Canadian farms. It’s also about reducing the sector’s exposure to unnecessary long-term risks and costs. It’s about making production systems and agri-food value chains more reliable and efficient. And it’s about reducing waste and increasing predictability throughout the entire food system — "reclaiming our ability to feed Canada and the world for generations to come." These were among the insights shared by our Executive Director, Geoff McCarney, and Director of Nature Economies, Michael Twigg, who highlighted key takeaways from our work, showcasing how advancing sustainability and building resilience are key to ensuring food security in Canada. SPI welcomed the opportunity to address the committee in person, answer questions from senators, and submit written remarks – which we’ve just published on our website. 👉 Read the written submission here (LINK): https://lnkd.in/dneaG6WV 👉 Watch a recording of the proceedings (LINK): https://lnkd.in/dYMWMJf7 #Agriculture #Agrifood #SustainableAgriculture #CdnAg #FoodSecurity #AGFO
Smart Prosperity Institute Addresses Canadian Food Security in Senate Committee
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Appreciate having been able to contribute to this important discussion. A key takeaway from our work at the Smart Prosperity Institute: Canada’s food security challenge is increasingly one of economic and environmental resilience, compounding ongoing issues of affordability and equitable access. Food security isn’t just about adding more food to the system. It’s also about increasing farm resilience, reducing risk and waste, and making our entire food system more reliable and efficient. Our written submission outlines how increasing alignment between public policy and private sector incentives could help strengthen national food security: https://lnkd.in/dneaG6WV #AGFO #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #CdnAg
In February, the Smart Prosperity Institute appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry as part of its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada’s food security. Food security is not just about producing more. It’s about increasing the financial and productive resiliency of Canadian farms. It’s also about reducing the sector’s exposure to unnecessary long-term risks and costs. It’s about making production systems and agri-food value chains more reliable and efficient. And it’s about reducing waste and increasing predictability throughout the entire food system — "reclaiming our ability to feed Canada and the world for generations to come." These were among the insights shared by our Executive Director, Geoff McCarney, and Director of Nature Economies, Michael Twigg, who highlighted key takeaways from our work, showcasing how advancing sustainability and building resilience are key to ensuring food security in Canada. SPI welcomed the opportunity to address the committee in person, answer questions from senators, and submit written remarks – which we’ve just published on our website. 👉 Read the written submission here (LINK): https://lnkd.in/dneaG6WV 👉 Watch a recording of the proceedings (LINK): https://lnkd.in/dYMWMJf7 #Agriculture #Agrifood #SustainableAgriculture #CdnAg #FoodSecurity #AGFO
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A new joint FAO - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - World Food Programme - African Union Commission report highlights the enormous gap between current public and private financing of agriculture and the level of financing needed to transform Africa’s agrifood systems. It also affirms the continuing rise in hunger and food insecurity across Africa, underscoring the urgency for substantial and sustained financing to transform agrifood systems. The latest Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition highlights that overall, there has been a general upward trend in government expenditure on agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Africa since 2018. This sustained growth, while encouraging, remains insufficient to meet the targets for ending hunger and transforming agrifood systems, especially given ongoing fiscal pressures in many African countries. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eR_iwS5S Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ew3jHjjj
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���� A widening financing gap is threatening the future of Africa’s agrifood systems—at a time when hunger and food insecurity continue to rise. #FoodSecurity ⚠️ 📊 A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, World Food Programme, and the African Union Commission highlights the urgent need for scaled-up and sustained investment. #AgriFinance 💼 📉 While government spending on agriculture has steadily increased since 2018, it remains far below what is required to transform systems and end hunger across the continent. #ZeroHunger 🌾 ⚖️ With mounting fiscal pressures and growing demand, bridging this gap is not just an economic necessity—it is a moral imperative for inclusive and resilient development. #SustainableDevelopment 🌱 🤝 By mobilizing both public and private financing, we can unlock the full potential of Africa’s agrifood systems and secure a healthier, more food-secure future for all. 💫 #InvestInFuture 💚
A new joint FAO - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - World Food Programme - African Union Commission report highlights the enormous gap between current public and private financing of agriculture and the level of financing needed to transform Africa’s agrifood systems. It also affirms the continuing rise in hunger and food insecurity across Africa, underscoring the urgency for substantial and sustained financing to transform agrifood systems. The latest Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition highlights that overall, there has been a general upward trend in government expenditure on agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Africa since 2018. This sustained growth, while encouraging, remains insufficient to meet the targets for ending hunger and transforming agrifood systems, especially given ongoing fiscal pressures in many African countries. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eR_iwS5S Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ew3jHjjj
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🌱 NOW AVAILABLE: Agriculture Investment Bulletin –The Fish Sector 🐟 The Caribbean Community continues to advance food security, investment, and innovation across the Region. This second edition of the Agriculture Investment Bulletin provides key insights into: 🔹 Policy updates shaping the sector 🔹 Investment opportunities across the Region 🔹 Market demand trends within the CARICOM Single Market 🔹 Innovations driving agricultural growth 🤝 Produced in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), this issue places a spotlight on the fish sector and its critical role in achieving the Region’s 25 x 25 + 5 food security initiative. 📲 Scan the QR code or click the link to read the full bulletin and explore opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean agriculture ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eqrTtUrn #CARICOM #FoodSecurity #Agriculture #BlueEconomy #Fisheries #Investment #25by2025 #CaribbeanDevelopment
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Nearly 90% of global trade is shaped by standards—what does this mean for Africa’s agrifood systems? Join The World Bank Group Institute for Economic Development for a timely discussion on how standards influence market access, competitiveness, and inclusion across Africa’s agrifood value chains. The event draws insights from the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development to examine practical implications for agriculture, forestry, and natural-fiber sectors. The event will focus on: How food safety, sanitary, and sustainability standards shape trade and productivity. Why alignment with standards matters for smallholders and SMEs seeking to access markets. What policy and institutional investments can strengthen inclusion, resilience, and competitiveness. Featuring World Bank Group experts and partners, this discussion will also inform a forthcoming companion report to the World Development Report 2025 on agrifood systems, with a particular focus on Africa. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dmJ6VrKk
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Orora Agro Group looks forward to attending this important discussion. From our perspective, #standards are a critical part of the enabling infrastructure needed to build more competitive, inclusive, and investment-ready #agrifood #systems across #Africa. For emerging agribusiness platforms like Orora, they are essential not only for market access and food safety, but also for strengthening #farmer #integration, improving value chain discipline, and unlocking #LongTerm #capital for agricultural transformation.
Nearly 90% of global trade is shaped by standards—what does this mean for Africa’s agrifood systems? Join The World Bank Group Institute for Economic Development for a timely discussion on how standards influence market access, competitiveness, and inclusion across Africa’s agrifood value chains. The event draws insights from the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development to examine practical implications for agriculture, forestry, and natural-fiber sectors. The event will focus on: How food safety, sanitary, and sustainability standards shape trade and productivity. Why alignment with standards matters for smallholders and SMEs seeking to access markets. What policy and institutional investments can strengthen inclusion, resilience, and competitiveness. Featuring World Bank Group experts and partners, this discussion will also inform a forthcoming companion report to the World Development Report 2025 on agrifood systems, with a particular focus on Africa. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dmJ6VrKk
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Fertilizer Canada’s President and CEO, Michael Bourque, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry as part of its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector in supporting food security in Canada. His remarks emphasized that food security depends on the reliable access and movement of fertilizers, highlighting the strength of Canada’s domestic production, including our world-leading potash industry. He also noted key vulnerabilities, including challenges in getting new products to market, our reliance on imports, and fragile supply chains. Strengthening Canada’s food security requires a number of measures, such as improving domestic supply chains through infrastructure investment, addressing labour disruptions, and creating a competitive and efficient regulatory environment. 📺Watch the testimony: https://lnkd.in/eDKdC8zV
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Oman has unveiled a portfolio of food security investment opportunities valued at more than $243 million, spanning agriculture, fisheries, and related industries. The opportunities were announced by InvestOMAN, under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment promotion, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests. The initiative is designed to enhance self-sufficiency and strengthen production sectors across food supply chains. Khalid bin Hamed Al Kharusi, Director General of Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said the the initiative reflects a shift toward attracting quality investments driven by advanced technologies and sustainable practices, while strengthening related industries and enhancing Oman’s position as a regional hub for food security and aquaculture. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gdJ3wkhr
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the creation of a new Office of Seafood — a long-overdue step toward recognizing seafood as a core part of American agriculture. This is an important moment for U.S. aquaculture. For the first time, the farmers growing seafood in the U.S. will have a dedicated home at USDA, with improved access to programs that support production, innovation, and market growth. That matters. Aquaculture is how the U.S. increases seafood production — responsibly, predictably, and under some of the strongest environmental and food safety standards in the world. Expanding U.S. production strengthens rural and coastal economies and reduces reliance on imports. We’re encouraged to see seafood policy moving in this direction and a clearer path forward for U.S. aquaculture. #NationalAquacultureAssociation #USAquaculture
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Sabah Allocates RM559.85 Million to Strengthen Food Resilience and Agricultural Growth: PAPAR, May 1 — The Sabah state government has allocated RM559.85 million to the agri-food sector this year as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security and expand sustainable local production capacity. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the funding, channelled through the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, will support initiatives … http://dlvr.it/TSKTnX #Sabah #FoodSecurity #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #InvestmentInAgriculture
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