The University of Nottingham Malaysia addresses food security. With #WorldFoodDay 2022 just around the corner, on 16 October, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is demanding we ‘leave no one behind’. According to the FAO, the domino effect caused by the pandemic, climate change, rising prices, and international tensions is impacting food systems across the globe.
Responding to the FAO’s call for urgent global solutions, the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) organized its second Food Security in Small Islands and Developing States (FSSIDS) 2022 conference, gathering expert minds from numerous countries. Led by Associate Professor and Director of Sustainable Food Systems, UNM Future Food Malaysia, Dr. Chin Chiew Foan (陈巧芬), as Chair, and Research Manager, UNM Future Food Malaysia, Dr. Goh Ee Von, as Co-Chair, the four-day conference was held to discuss the challenges each region and their respective food systems were facing.
“Food systems are extremely complex. We need to first understand the many players in that system, and what each of their roles is so that we can work collaboratively to address the problem. This isn’t about pinning the blame. We all have an equal role to play, and each of our actions can positively or negatively impact the global food system,” said Dr. Chin (陈巧芬).
Malaysia ranked 39th in the world and second in Southeast Asia in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 2021. Nevertheless, upholding food security remains an ongoing effort, especially with the recent shortage of chicken and food inflation rates at 4.1% higher than in 2021. To mitigate this, there should be more focus placed on the agricultural sector, such as through the preservation of agricultural land and providing incentives and subsidies to farmers, fishermen, and smallholders. This will also help to recognize the numerous players, big and small, who are involved in Malaysia’s own food system and realize the impact they will have in achieving the nation’s food security.
The State Of Food Security And Nutrition In The World publication by FAO in 2021 highlighted that one of the greatest challenges of achieving resilient food systems is that existing national, regional, and global policies, strategies, legislation, and investments are compartmentalized into distinct dialogues. Too many parties are working in silos when what the food system is in dire need of is an integrated approach.
Investments in food and agriculture research and development (R&D) are shifting heavily towards the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, the region is accounting for about half of the world’s spending on food and agriculture R&D, emphasizing the need for better collaboration between parties.
FSSIDS 2022 makes one small step toward addressing this by bringing people of differing expertise and nationalities into one room, to achieve one common goal. UNM intends to further its commitment in this area by setting up an FSSIDS network and holding more conferences in the future, to broaden the network of experts with opinions on the topic.
“This conference allowed us to better understand what problems other regions face and how they’re addressing them, if there are similarities or differences in that sense, we can work together to overcome it. In being committed to producing global thinkers, UNM celebrates the efforts of those involved in FSSIDS 2022. We support the initiative and hope to see it make a difference not just in Malaysia or the Southeast Asian region, but across the world,” remarked UNM Vice Provost of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Hub (RKE), Professor Andy Chan (陈德仪).
UNM’s mission to break down silos in conversations around food security is in line with its commitment to address the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with a focus on SDG2, ‘Zero Hunger’ and SDG17, ‘Partnerships For The Goals’.
“Ensuring food security for everyone is central to addressing the other SDGs. Without proper access to nutritious food, we are already losing the fight,” said Dr. Chin (陈巧芬).
This #WorldFoodDay, UNM urges all parties along the value chain, from producers to consumers, to embrace and encourage conversations on food systems, and to start thinking about how operations, processes, and consumption habits impact food security in the long term. Together, UNM believes communities and nations can achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all.
FSSIDS 2022 was attended by about 50 academic and non-academic experts, from 11 countries, representing UNM; the University of Nottingham, UK (UoN); University Tunku Abdul Rahman; National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia; Khazanah Nasional Berhad; Revoganix Sdn Bhd; Universiti Putra Malaysia, GK Aqua Sdn Bhd; Fiji National University; Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa; UCSI University; Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences; University Malaysia Sabah; Nanyang Technological University; University of the Philippines Open University; Murdoch University; Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute; Australian Centre of Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast; Universiti Malaya; and Thammasat University.