Future Food System Summit Summary

FUTURE FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT

Punjab

February 14 & 15 2024

PAMETI, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

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 Punjab’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:

Farming should be seen as a respectable profession, otherwise in today’s society, no one marries a farmer.

– Summit participant

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

  • Organic and nutritious food
  • Healthy soils and water
  • Chemical free production and processing
  • Higher human and social values in the society
  • Self- reliant villages
  • Respect for agriculture as an equitable profession
  • Awareness and education
  • Use of technology in a way that favours growth of desirable food systems

Thirty-five years ago, human values were different. Farmers didn’t have that many implements but they had a lot of love and respect which they don’t have now.

– Summit participant

Final Vision:

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

By 2050, we envision a food system that conserves natural resources and maintains soil fertility, recognizing the soil as the foundation of sustainable food production.

The system will prioritize the availability of chemical-free, fresh, and nutritious food, addressing concerns about the harmful effects of chemical preservatives on health and longevity. A future society will be more aware of the importance of agriculture, food quality, and resource efficiency, with a deep respect for farming as an equitable profession. Resource and food wastage will be significantly reduced, creating a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption.

Local self-sufficiency will thrive, with villages becoming self-governed, producing, processing, and consuming food within their own communities. The formation of cooperatives will be integral to this vision, empowering stakeholders through collective production, processing, and marketing, thereby driving the food system towards sustainability. This cooperative model will harness the potential seen in other regions and finally bring its benefits to Punjab, promoting equity, resilience, and long-term food security.

Art representation of the vision

Special thanks to those who made this workshop possible:

Facilitator:

Dr. Lopamudra Mohapatra

Researchers:

Dr. Verena Seufert

Dr. Anne Elise Stratton

Simran Kaur, M.Sc

Venue:

PAMETI,

Punjab Agricultural University,

Ludhiana

Catering:

Bhatt Caterers

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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