Keir Mnguni, Youth President of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), represented the country along with other young farmers at the World Forum on Food and Agriculture conference in Berlin, Germany, to discuss how to end world hunger. Participated in discussions regarding.
Mr Mnguni said 20 young farmers from around the world were invited to draft a young farmers' statement under the theme “Working together towards a world with zero hunger”.
an eye-opening experience
“I gained valuable insight into global cooperation and working with young farmers around the world, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation working together to achieve the set sustainable development goals. did.
“This joint effort will harness the efforts of young farmers around the world to address challenges and find practical solutions for sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on the Zero Hunger Sustainable Development Goal. “I showed that,” she said.
Mr Mnguni said there is much that young farmers can do to ensure there is enough food for everyone in their countries, but this will only be achieved with solid and active cooperation.
“Government and private support is essential to recognize and support the need to end world hunger. Therefore, a holistic approach to tackling problems within the agricultural sector requires more than a blanket solution. It requires a comprehensive and nuanced approach,” she explained.
Mr Mnguni said the conference highlighted the importance of raising awareness and finding innovative ways to solve the challenges faced by youth in agriculture. We need concrete, practical solutions tailored to diverse situations.
“At the conference, we spent a lot of time emphasizing the inclusivity of sustainable food systems, especially involving vulnerable groups such as young people and women. [which] It’s important for overall progress,” she said.
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What South Africa can do
Mnguni said there was a growing focus on sustainable practices and the world saw South African agriculture as a key contributor to global food security.
“The South African delegation will deliver a message centered on achieving a world without hunger through sustainable food systems, highlighting responsible agricultural practices and ensuring that local communities are in control of their food systems. ” she said.
She expressed the importance of supporting resilient and sustainable supply chains that can withstand challenges while maintaining sustainability. He also emphasized the importance of minimizing food loss and waste in production and distribution, and advocated for a focus on efficiency to reduce waste in the food supply chain.
Mr Mnguni said farmers are not only producers but also caretakers, and this means meeting their needs, especially the needs of youth and women, throughout the agricultural value chain and ensuring their active participation and empowerment. He said this means strengthening the vulnerable by ensuring that they are safe.
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