Action Proposals from NWG conference “How to feed the World in 2050?”

Text video clip of Huub Spiertz (Chairperson Association of Natural Sciences, NWG)

“How to feed the World in 2050?” is a big challenge for scientists and all stakeholders involved: farmers, food industry, consumers and policymakers. The Wageningen Association of Natural Sciences, NWG, organised a debate on this theme on November 1.

- Prof. Rudy Rabbinge (Wageningen University) concluded that science, especially agricultural research, strongly contributed to improve food availability of a growing global population during the last four decades. He presented an optimistic view on the role of science and technology to feed a growing global population.

- Prof. Klaas van Egmond (University of Utrecht) was more critical about the current trend in liberalization and globalization. He made a plea for more ecologically robust systems to secure regional food supply in a sustainable way.

- Dr. Kees de Gooijer (Food and Nutrition Delta) emphasized the successes of private-public partnerships in food research. He concluded that the emphasis is too much on producing more food and too less on food quality and losses in the food chain.

We should address new avenues in food production and consumption to meet the demands of a still growing, more prosperous, global population. Food security, health and sustainable use of natural resources are at stake. To deal with these interrelated problems, we do need an integrated research and development approach.

Therefore, our action proposals for the KLV Main Conference are:

1. To strengthen the critical mass in integrated research by initiating international, multidisciplinary research teams of young scientists. Wageningen University and the related private and public research organisations should take the lead.

2. A Wageningen Food Prize should be launched to award excellent multidisciplinary research by teams of young scientists. KLV in co-operation with Wageningen University and Food Valley partners should take the lead to implement this initiative.