Climate-resilient crops: UK Summit champions global food security through innovation

21 Nov 2023 --- The UK is launching a new science hub to develop climate-resilient crops and identify risks to the global food system, it was announced yesterday at the Global Food Security Summit hosted in London in collaboration with Somalia, UAE, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The unveiling of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)-led UK-based virtual science hub that will connect British scientists with global research initiatives was a key announcement at the summit. 

The hub will focus on developing climate-resilient crops that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and enhance disease resistance. As representatives from more than 20 countries convened at the summit, the UK’s latest white paper on international development was also revealed.

The UK science hub will focus on developing climate-resilient crops.Innovative food resilience 
The international development white paper released during the summit prioritizes the mobilization of international finance, reforming the international system, promoting innovation and focusing on the inclusion of women and girls in addressing global food challenges. 

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell highlighted the summit’s focus on utilizing cutting-edge science and innovative partnerships to create a healthier, more secure, and prosperous world.

The UK has already helped advance nutrient-dense crop development through CGIAR’s advanced crop breeding with its flood-tolerant rice, disease-resistant wheat and biofortified and vitamin-rich sweet potatoes. 

More nutritious varieties of sorghum and millet conserved in CGIAR gene banks have been grown over the past ten years with UK support. The resilient crops are now grown on a land area equivalent to the combined size of the UK and Wales. They are estimated to have helped 19 million people become more food secure and 38 million people meet their dietary protein requirements. 

According to the white paper, the UK plans to utilize its competitive advantage in AI and genomics to advance climate-resilient food systems further. Demand-driven research that recognizes the needs of the least fortunate communities is highlighted as vital to encouraging the adoption of new technology at scale, including climate-adapted crops, low-emission innovations in livestock, digital climate advisory services and alternative fertilizers.

Scientists from the Central European University recently used data from the World Food Programme to develop a tool that can be used to forecast food insecurity 30 days in advance for countries with insufficient food resources.

The UK aims to transform agriculture, food and health through engineering biology, combined with digital and machine learning in partnership with the UK-based Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing, Liverpool’s Innovative Vector Control Consortium and the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

Extreme poverty and climate change
The white paper further outlines the UK’s long-term strategy to address pressing global challenges related to food insecurity, particularly ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change. 

The UK plans to utilize its competitive advantage in AI and genomics to advance climate-resilient food systems further.The document emphasizes moving beyond traditional aid models, focusing on collaborative partnerships with nations to combat extreme poverty and climate change. Climate change, conflict, the lingering effects of COVID-19, and geopolitical events, such as Russia’s impact on the global food supply, are identified as primary drivers of current food insecurity.

In response to these challenges, the UK has played a leading role in ensuring Ukraine’s ability to continue exporting agricultural produce, recognizing the crucial role Ukrainian grain exports play in maintaining global food security.

Up to £100 million (US$125 million) of humanitarian funding is being allocated to countries severely affected by food insecurity, including Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Malawi. The funds will support critical programs, including food and nutrition aid and cash support for vulnerable households.

The summit also emphasized preventative measures, asserting that the UK contributes to building resilience to climate shocks and enhancing food security in Somalia, aiming to avert future humanitarian crises in the region.

Child malnutrition, identified as the underlying cause of 45% of child deaths worldwide, took center stage at the summit. The UK is committing additional support to the Child Nutrition Fund, focusing on scaling up breastfeeding, infant feeding and healthcare initiatives. 

The funding will also match contributions from the most affected countries, reinforcing efforts to address the worst forms of child malnutrition and ensure a more reliable supply of critical food for young children.

A recent CARE report highlighted the need to use local and sustainable solutions to address the global food crisis adequately. 

By Milana Nikolova