BACKGROUND

During the Rio20+ summit, United Nations Security Council attracted the world's attention towards one billion hungry people and initiated the zero-hunger challenge by urging all stakeholders of the agricultural supply chain including governments, farmers, businesses, scientists, civil society and consumers to work together and develop inclusive and sustainable food systems to eliminate food waste and ensure food security (UN, 2012). In light of achieving food security for the ever-growing world population, it is evident to have agricultural supply chain which is able to respond efficiently to global markets and at the same time withstand the pressures posed by changing climate. The workshop is designed keeping in view the challenges being faced by developing countries to meet the stringent standards laid down by markets in developed countries. At the same time, they face the challenges of feeding their own population in changing climate regime. In this context, Agricultural Education plays a crucial role in sustainable development.

The discussions in the workshop will be initiated against the backdrop of SDG 2 (End Hunger) SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production). Goal SDG 2 aims at ending all forms of malnutrition and double agricultural productivity in the next 15 years. In the context of agribusiness supply chains, SDG 4 aims at achieving inclusive and quality education for all, which reaffirms that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development. SDG 12 focuses to half down per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer level and reduce foodlosses along production and supply chains including post-harvest losses (Target Indicator 12.5).

Key Messages

Ch Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM

Synergy between different actors of academia - industry - governments results in more relevant and quality agricultural education which is possible through nurturing / building global partnerships. Structural and functional arrangements & adjustments are essential for fortifying relations between stakeholders and inclusiveness.
We are very happy to collaborate with Teri School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi and Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia in organizing an International workshop on Strengthening International Agribusiness Trade: Stakeholder Dialogue and Partnerships towards SDGs. I hope the outcome of the workshop will benefit National Agricultural Research and Education System in ushering the agriculture sector in the country. .

Message from Co - Chair (s )

Dr. Sapna A. Narula, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Business & Sustainability, TERI SAS

It is an extreme privilege to host International Workshop in Agribusiness: Strengthening stakeholder partnerships for agribusiness trade at our campus in New Delhi. The idea of the workshop originated after the success of the International Conference on Agribusiness held in Jan 2018 in which 350 participants across the globe participated to discuss the emerging issues facing agribusiness in context of changing climate and food security needs of the global population.

The themes of the workshop have been designed to initiate discussions on relevant issues concerning technologies, markets and policy to guide the agribusiness and trade for the future in context of SDGs. We are particularly looking forward to the participation of all the stakeholders of the supply chain such as intermediaries, farmers, agribusiness corporates, SMEs, academicians, scientists, multilateral agencies to participate and discuss the challenges and future strategies. We are sure that successful partnerships and policy inputs for agribusiness trade emerge as an outcome of this workshop. Look forward to welcoming you! .

Prof. Brajesh Singh, Director, Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation

On behalf of the Global Centre for Land Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, I would like to welcome you all to be a part of the International workshop on Strengthening International Agribusiness Trade: Stakeholder Dialogue and Partnerships towards SDGs to be held at TERI SAS Campus in New Delhi on Nov 14-15, 2019. This international workshop is a collaborative effort by the TERI SAS, ICAR, NAARM, GLLBI.

I am looking forward to your support and contribution for the workshop. I am particularly keen to discuss and report on improving bilateral agribusiness and trade between Australia and India. There are significant potential to expand bilateral agribusiness and trade and I look forward to contributions from all key stakeholders to to further strengthen the Indo-Australia trade links.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

• To prioritize the action plan for strengthening international agribusiness trade from emerging countries to developed countries.

• To initiate stakeholder dialogue and facilitate stakeholder partnerships between actors of food supply chain from developing and
developed countries to ensure implementation of SDG 2 and 12.

• To build partnerships among academia - industry - governments for increasing the quality and relevance of agricultural higher
education for achievement of SDGs .

THEMES

• Increasing Farm Productivity through Resource Efficient Techniques and Practices

• Doubling Farmers Income: Technologies, Business Models and Sustainable Livelihoods

• Building Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chain

• Climate Change, Food & Nutritional Security

• Fostering academia - industry - government partnerships for excellence in Higher Agricultural Education

• Indo - Australia Agribusiness Trade

WORKSHOP OUTCOME

The workshop will contribute an action plan for developing countries towards implementation of SDG 2, 12 and 13 in the context of food supply chain alongside prioritizing technologies, policies and business models to benefit small and marginal farmers and entrepreneurs from these countries. A holistic approach encompassing stakeholders across different levels of food supply chain will initiate dialogue and partnerships to implement SDG agenda.

The outcome of the workshop will be a white paper highlighting immediate actions needed to make global food supply chain both market efficient and climate resilient in context of SDG 2 and 12 and also priorities technologies, policies and business models towards implementation of SDG agenda. Also the workshop will result in tangible partnerships among different actors in broader domains of education, research and outreach through networking.