Building resilient agrifood systems for SIDS in response to increasing climate challenges

Cabo Verde, Praia – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been scaling up and will continue to increase its support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to transform their agrifood systems to enable them to be part of the  climate solutions and effectively contribute to food availability, accessibility and affordability, said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in his address today at a conference hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Cabo Verde entitled “Accelerating Agrifood Systems Transformation in Cabo Verde”.

According to the Director-General, efficient agrifood systems transformation requires four key factors. Firstly, it is political commitment at all levels and across all sectors. Secondly, he pointed to the need for an enabling policy to attract both domestic and foreign investment, including long-term land policy and tax policy in favour of technology. Thirdly, Qu emphasized the importance of changing the business model and promoting an efficient human resources policy to encourage citizens to return to their countries and contribute to their prosperity. Lastly, he highlighted the role of innovation, including in adapting crops to local conditions, while attracting scientific expertise.

The Director-General underscored the overarching need for coordinated action and targeted financing by both the public and private sectors, with guidance and input from civil society and academia.

Focus on most vulnerable countries

FAO focuses on providing support to the most vulnerable countries, including SIDS, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCa), including in accessing financing through mechanisms such as its South-South and Triangular Cooperation programme. For example, through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, FAO is contributing to the digitalization of the agriculture sector; the development of specific product value chains; and the reduction of food loss and waste in the fisheries sector.

Under this project, Cabo Verde benefits not only from support on the reduction of food loss and waste in the fisheries sector, but also from technical assistance and capacity development in soil and water management, innovative methods for integrated pest management, seaweed aquaculture, improving animal production, and genetics strengthening, among others.

FAO is collaborating with the World Bank on the socio-economic and environmental challenges facing Cabo Verde resulting from a booming tourism industry in the context of increasing vulnerabilities, such as exposure to climate shocks, desertification, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.

The Director-General commended Cabo Verde for being a leader among SIDS, championing issues such as blue economy, water resource management, and gender empowerment and thanked the government for the fruitful and collaborative partnership with FAO.

Other participants included the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, and the Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Gilberto Silva.

The conference addressed the urgent need for transforming agrifood systems in Cabo Verde and brought together key policymakers, development partners, international organizations, experts, and practitioners. The participants highlighted the achievements and lessons learned from almost 50 years of cooperation between FAO and Cabo Verde, setting the stage for future collaboration.

On behalf of FAO, Qu was also awarded the Amílcar Cabral Order in recognition of FAO’s invaluable contribution to Cabo Verde’s development. In accepting the Award, Qu highlighted that “Our achievements could not have been possible without effective teamwork and the collective efforts of everyone” noting that the Award is “a reflection of effective engagement and true partnership. It is the sum of our technical expertise, our joint dedication and our shared passion.”