Future Food System Summit Summary

FUTURE FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT

New Delhi

February 21 & 22 2024

Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi

In our recent Future Food Systems Summits we brought together a diverse group of food system experts and change-makers.

This provided a unique platform for networking, identifying common goals, and developing actionable plans for a brighter future.

What happened in our Future Food Systems Summit

Building a common vision for New Delhi’s future food system at an individual and group level.

To reach a shared vision, we began with individual perspectives of a desirable food system. Participants then collaborated in three diverse groups to create group visions. Together, we identified key values from these visions, which ultimately guided us in forming a collective shared vision.

Group -- Wholesome food for all

Common Values:

The bridge between the scientist and farmer is broken. It should be restored as soon as possible.

– Summit participant

Participants came together and identified common values across the three group visions

  • Judicious use of Resources and Soil Management
  • Policy and their Long-term Impact
  • Convergence of Initiatives and Systemic Integration
  • Farmer-Centric Services and Extension
  • Technology and Connectivity
  • Education and Awareness
  • Data Management and Bridging Gaps
  • Food and Nutritional Security
  • Bee Conservation and Education

The time we are living in we should have such technology that we have power, we can connect to whom we are buying from, whom we are selling to, to get extension services…. Connectivity.

– Summit participant

Final Vision:

Based on common values, participants created a shared vision of a desirable food system in 2050

By 2050, our vision includes resilient production practices through regenerative agriculture, integrating soulful and spiritual methods based on traditional knowledge. This approach not only ensures nutritious food but also creates a healthy community and prosperous farmers.

The focus will be on appropriate, localized, and need-based processing technology, ensuring resilience at all levels of production. Infrastructure development will be scientific and practical, covering farm-level operations, post-harvest processes, and marketing strategies. Aim for high-quality production and improved marketing techniques, focusing on demand-driven processed products.

A key objective is to provide access to affordable, nutrition-rich, and healthy food for everyone daily. This will involve sustainable production practices that minimize environmental impact, with a goal of reducing food loss and waste by at least 50% across all stages, from production to consumption. We envision a society where citizens are more aware of nutrition and prefer healthy food over junk food, leading to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Art representation of the vision

Special thanks to those who made this workshop possible:

Facilitator:

Archana Tomar

Researchers:

Dr. Verena Seufert

Dr. Anne Elise Stratton

Dr. Haseena Kadiri

Simran Kaur, M.Sc

Dr. Satyapriya

Dr. S R Bishnoi

Venue:

Division of Agricultural Extension,

IARI, Pusa, New Delhi

Catering:

Professional catering services pvt Ltd

Artist:

Vishnu A S

Workshop Design:

Altekio (Conchi Pineiro and Cintia Lara)

Check out the Summit Summary 

Click on the link to read the group vision summaries and common values.

The journey continues

Stay Connected with Bright Spots Project

As we move forward with the Bright Spots project, our next step is to identify indicators that will help us track our progress toward our shared vision for a better food system. By mapping these indicators, we aim to uncover “bright spots”—positive examples of sustainable agriculture and food systems in Mexico and India. These bright spots are not just solutions; they can be sources of inspiration and practical knowledge that can help us improve our food systems.

We invite you to stay connected with the Bright Spots project as we collectively seek solutions to food system sustainability challenges. By working together, we can gain a deeper understanding, learn from these positive examples, and work to share this valuable knowledge in ways that are meaningful to you.

Your ongoing engagement is vital as we build on the momentum generated during the Summits. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey toward a resilient and sustainable food future!

Stay tuned for future updates, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

If you haven’t already, please fill out our survey

Our India team

  • Prof. Dr. Verena Seufert

    Junior Professor

    • verena.seufert@uni-hohenheim.de
  • Dr. Anne Elise Stratton

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    • ae.stratton@uni-hohenheim.de
  • Dr. Haseena Kadiri

    Research Coordinator India

    • india@brightspotsproject.com
  • Julie Fortin

    PhD Candidate

    • julie.fortin@uni-hohenheim.de
  • Simran Kaur

    Research Coordinator India

    • india@brightspotsproject.com

Our India collaborators

  • Dr. Archana Raghavan Sathyan

    Assistant Professor & Collaborator - Kerala Agricultural University

    • archana.rs@kau.in
  • Dr. Satyapriya

    Principal Scientist & Collaborator- Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute

    • head_exten@iari.res.in
  • Dr. S R Bishnoi

    Scientist, & Collaborator Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute,

    • srbishnoi@iari.res.in
  • Dr. Vijesh Krishna

    Research Collaborator, Lead Economist at CIMMYT Hyderabad

    • v.krishna@cgiar.org

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