Roundtable: Safeguarding Crop Diversity for Food Security and Climate Resilience
In cooperation with the South African Embassy in Brussels and the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa, the Crop Trust is hosting a roundtable discussion on safeguarding crop diversity for food security and climate...
The small-scale rice farming practiced in Madagascar’s central highlands is a family pursuit. At harvest, everyone who can help cuts, bundles, and carries ripe plants to the house and threshing yard. Added up, this work feeds a whole nation. The contribution of rice fields like this to Madagascar’s food security is overwhelming: the country ranks fifth in the world for per capita rice consumption, at 136 kilograms per year, or more than a third of a kilo daily. (PHOTO BY TOBY SMITH/REPORTAGE BY GETTY IMAGES FOR CROP TRUST.)
In cooperation with the South African Embassy in Brussels and the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa, the Crop Trust is hosting a roundtable discussion on safeguarding crop diversity for food security and climate resilience.
Crop diversity is the foundation of resilient and productive food systems. The thousands of crop varieties conserved in genebanks around the world provide the genetic resources needed to develop crops that can withstand climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and evolving nutritional needs. Protecting and using this diversity is essential to ensuring global food security for future generations.
This roundtable will discuss the strategic importance of crop diversity in the context of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (2028-2034) and explore opportunities to strengthen international collaboration, global awareness and priority-setting.
Program
10:00 | Welcome
TBD of the South African Embassy to the European Union
Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust
Dr Litha Magingxa, President and CEO of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa
10:10 | Scene Setting
Crop Diversity: A Foundation for Food Security and Resilience - Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust
10:30 | Making the Connection
Crop Diversity and EU Strategic Priorities - Leonard Mizzi, DG International Partnerships at the European Commission
10:50 | Moving towards Solutions
EU and Africa: Partnering for Food Security, Resilience and Innovation
11:10 | For the Future of Food
Building a Coalition for Crop Diversity - Linda Mtwisa, Agricultural Research Council of South Africa
11:30 | Discussion
12:10 | Conclusion