Implementing inclusivity in the international policies of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

On May 21, Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP) organised the second session of its Network Dialogue Series ‘Agricultural policy of a Global Champion: Dutch commitment for Sustainable Food Systems’. On the agenda was the recently published policy letter  describing the international commitment of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV). Over 50 stakeholders from knowledge institutes, civil society and private sector provided recommendations on the implementation of this policy, focusing on a specific cross-cutting theme: inclusivity.

With great applause, moderator Ikenna Azuike opened the session by congratulating the Ministry of LNV on completing their policy note. To kick off the session NFP’s Director Ivo Demmers first welcomed the participants. He stressed the importance of an international outlook in a changing political climate and remarked that the work done on this day, delivered by various actors active in the international agrifood sector, will provide a valuable contribution to LNV’s international policies. 

Bart Vrolijk, Clustercoordinator of Team International at LNV, and one of the authors of the policy letter, warmed up the session by introducing the key themes of the policy note. The timing of its recent publishing is highly relevant given the change in government, because it puts LNV’s international focus on the agenda. A key cross-cutting theme along these objectives is ‘inclusivity’. Vrolijk stated that: ‘’At the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, we have not always been aware of the importance of the topic of inclusivity in the international context. The fact that it is a cross-cutting theme in the policy note indicates that we attach value to it. It would be very helpful for us to receive guidance from both stakeholders from The Netherlands and LMICs on how to implement it.’’

Panel discussion

The panel consisted of experts on inclusive food system transformation, from a multidisciplinary research centre, a company active in global value chains, a global multilateral initiative for national food system pathways, and an NGO involved in convening a national pathway in practice: Lia van Wesenbeeck (Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies), Michel de Bruin (Agrico), Khaled Eltaweel (UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in Rome) and Charles Opiyo (GAIN Kenya). They all provided their unique perspectives and recommendations for the inclusive implementation of LNV’s international policy.

Main takeaways

• Support the application of and contribute to inclusive governance structures, such as the national food systems transformation pathways.

• Provide guidance on how to establish and uphold public-private partnerships in LMICs to address specific challenges. For instance in increasing the shelf-life of products, to combat the large amount of food waste in Kenya.

• Better distinguish between groups that can be targeted with market-based solutions (e.g. commercial farmers) vs public funds (e.g. small-scale farmers).

• Do not forget to support the food security of the urban poor - a rapidly growing group.

• Support profitable sectors, in which different groups (e.g. not just farmers, but also local traders and processors) in LMICs can add more value to their products.

Group work

The three group discussions, based on the three objectives formulated in the policy note, were introduced and facilitated by experts from partner organisations: Bossman Owusu (Solidaridad), Ruth Ardzard (East-West Seed), Dhanush Dinesh (Clim-EAT), Frederike Praasterink (HAS Green Academy) and Natasja Oerlemans and Camila Cammaert (WWF).

Main takeaways

1. Long-term perspective of Agro-sector in LMICs

• A large barrier to long-term investment in LMICs is land insecurity. LMICs would benefit from a formalised enabling economic environment for local and farmer entrepreneurs. This for instance means finding ways to tackle the problems that cause land insecurity, and to counteract the fragmentation of land in order to facilitate long-term, large-scale investment.

• Most people in LMIC food systems work in informal sectors. The informal market is essential to both entrepreneurs and food security: this is where many of the initiatives are and innovations happen. Make it possible and easier to engage with and support informal market actors and initiatives.

• Invest time in long-term cooperation with LMIC partners and build a relationship on equal footing. Take into account different perspectives. Building trust takes time, but it will pay off in the long term.

• Take the V of ‘voedselzekerheid’ in the new ministry of LVVN as an opportunity to focus on international solidarity, especially among farmers. Develop an integrative approach to the Dutch food policy with worldwide food security as its main goal.

2. Global food security and achieving climate goals

• Power structures are the main issue. Do not talk about, but talk with farmers. Assure this in the policy implementation and programming of Dutch collaboration. The starting point should be a business case for farmers. Make this context specific (‘some need to eat more plant based food, some need more proteins in their diet’)

• Apply true cost accounting and pricing: include societal costs. Economically, the societal costs in food systems lead up to 12 trillion USD, while total income is calculated at 10 trillion USD.

• Prioritise our own regenerative agricultural practices, and stimulate innovation and practices on this, also internationally. We can provide knowledge, but should certainly also learn from LMICs. Form bilateral, reliable partnerships with countries with long term vision around this.

• Reserve more climate financing for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in agro-food systems. The Netherlands should also keep their leading role in the ‘coalition of finance ministers for climate action’.

• Keep emphasising the need for investments in climate mitigation and adaptation in LMICs, even though it is not a popular message!

3. Global biodiversity conservation and restoration

• When working locally or regionally, apply and support a landscape approach. Involving local communities in decision-making processes ensures that their needs and perspectives are considered. Because of their involvement in governance structures, the interventions are expected to sustain in the long-term. Keep in mind that ‘the landscape’ is geographical but also social and economic.

• Acknowledge the effectiveness of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation and restoration. Be as open to learning from LMIC partners, as you are in sharing your own knowledge and technology.

• Advocate for diversity in crops (agrobiodiversity) and farming styles. Just 10 global crops provide over 4/5 of all harvested food calories in the world. For instance, propose to register local varieties.

• Trade missions: update your criteria on what partners you propose to take abroad, and what is set on the agenda, so that it reflects your goals in Biodiversity.

• Seek alignment in your policies on agriculture and nature. Too often there are trade-offs between the two generating biodiversity loss.

Closing

In his closing speech, Ivo Demmers noted that: ‘’there is a lot of drive to contribute, from both Dutch and LMIC partners. I would like to call on the new ministers to partner up with us to help establish a long term perspective for worldwide food security. National food system pathways provide a very good starting point to find out where and how we can contribute to low- and middle income countries.’’

Bart Vrolijk closed the afternoon by stating: ‘’A lot is still uncertain. One of the biggest challenges coming up for this policy is the ‘how’. The policy note presents three dilemmas in the objectives, but the choices in these still have to be made. This is up to the new government.’’ Vrolijk sincerely thanked all participants for the ‘’level of engagement and energy’’. He noted that he intends to take the recommendations of the session to heart, to his colleagues at LNV and to the current Minister, and that they will help them to further design and incorporate inclusivity within the international agenda of LNV.