Food for all forever

This report was published following the international CAETS conference Food for all forever in Copenhagen, organised by ATV. It recommends various technological solutions to handle the issue of how to produce and distribute enough food in a sustainable way for the ever-growing population of the world.

It’s actually very simple - there is no simple solution to sustainably feed 9 billion people.

The world is facing a major challenge: Match the fast changing demand for food from a larger and more wealthy population; do so in ways that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable; and ensure that the world’s poorest people are no longer hungry. Such a challenge requires changes and new solutions in the way in which food is produced, stored, processed and distributed but also reformed policies. The right technological solutions and massive investments in research combined with the right policy directions are in ATV’s opinion the key to success.

Overall, ATV believes that the right policy directions and massive investments in research combined with the right technological solutions are the key to success as to assuring food security. Also, we need to ensure long-term, sustainable use of the natural resources upon which we all depend. For all these reasons, “Food for all forever” can be a powerful tool for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty reduction and environment.

Key recommendations identified by ATV are listed in the following and described in the report.

Use appropriate technology and opportunities offered by science
Massive investments in infrastructure in rural areas to be made
Implementation of better policies that prevent distortions in trade and competition
Government and international institutions must live up to their responsibilities
Food waste must be reduced dramatically
Aquaculture holds great potential and should be developed
Further studies into the concept of 'Full Costing' should be made