Financing Sustainable Food Systems
In recognition of World Soil Day and the International Day of Banks, join us to explore the intersection of sustainable food systems and innovative financing solutions that are crucial to addressing global food security and environmental health.
A sustainable food system is essential not only for feeding a growing global population but also for safeguarding the environment. Healthy soils are the backbone of agriculture, playing a pivotal role in food production, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Degraded soils, however, can lead to lower crop yields, increased carbon emissions, and a decline in ecosystem health. Currently, an estimated 33% of the world’s soil is already degraded, threatening the ability to feed 9.8 billion people by 2050.
Sustainable food systems offer a solution to reverse soil degradation while improving the health of people and the planet. These systems integrate regenerative agricultural practices that nurture soil health, reduce food waste, and promote nutrient-rich crops, which directly contribute to better public health outcomes.
Achieving these goals requires substantial financial investment. According to the United Nations, an estimated $350 billion per year is needed to transform food systems worldwide, including the transition to sustainable agricultural practices, reducing food waste, and addressing climate change. However, the financial sector has a key role to play in unlocking this potential through investment in sustainable infrastructure, supporting innovative agri-tech solutions, and providing access to affordable credit for farmers and food producers.
Key Discussion Points:
The Health of Our Soil: Understanding the link between soil health and sustainable agriculture.
The Importance of Banks: How financial institutions can enable the transition to sustainable food systems.
Financial Innovations: Key investment models, including impact investing, green bonds, and micro-financing for farmers.
We will showcase the top ten participants in the Global AgriFood TechPreneur Programme 2024 – https://intellidigest.com/services/food-system-sustainability/agrifood-techpreneur-club/
Agenda
13:00-13:05 Welcome
13:05-13:15 Keynote speech – Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu
13:15-13:25 Announce the top ten participants on the Global AgriFood TechPeneur Programme – Professor Sonal Choudhary
13:25-14:25 Presentations by the top ten participants on the Global AgriFood TechPeneur Programme
14:25-14:35 Comfort break
14:35-14:55 Speaker 1 – Ananya Manna
14.55-15:15 Speaker 2 – Francois Coupene
15.15-15:35 Speaker 3 – Professor Robyn Owen
15:35-15:55 Panel Discussion Q&A for all the speakers
15:55-16:00 Closing remark
Join us as we discuss the pathways to financing sustainable food systems and how collaboration between the agricultural and financial sectors can drive global change. Together, we can secure the health of both our soils and our people for generations to come.
Register Now to be part of this very important conversation.
Facilitators
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Dr Ifeyinwa KanuDirector, IntelliDigest and AFN Network+ Champion on BioeconomyShe holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering with research interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence to optimise Anaerobic Processes.
Dr Kanu loves nature and she is passionate about engineering solutions to address environmental and societal challenges. She is leading IntelliDigest on a mission to empower global food sustainability, eliminate food waste and zero hunger.
Dr Kanu is an Enterprise Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society of Edinburgh. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Associate Fellow of UK Higher Education.
Dr Kanu is a Champion of the STFC Food Network.
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Prof Sonal ChoudharyProfessor of Sustainable Management, York University and Principal Investigator at Science Technology Facility Council Food Network+
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Professor Robyn OwenProfessor of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Finance,
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Finance, Deputy Director of the Centre for Enterprise, Environment and Development Research (CEEDR) and Founding Director of Green Research Cluster at Middlesex University.
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Ananya MannaPrivate Investor - Regenerative Agriculture
Private Investor – Regenerative Agriculture
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François CoupienneGlobal Digital Lead, UNCDF
Global Digital Lead, UNCDF
