AFSI Newsletter - June 2024 | |
Upcoming Workshop on Microbial Biotechnology for Food, Feed, and Agricultural Use in South America | |
Microbial biotechnology includes applications in the field of agriculture, the production of food, and ingredients used in food and feed. On June 5-6, 2024, the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI) and the Secretariat of Bioeconomy, Ministry of Economy of Argentina will co-host a two-day virtual workshop to discuss the current technology and future opportunities for the use of genetically engineered and genome edited microbes and their derived products for use in food, feed, and agriculture. Simultaneously translated into Spanish, the webinar will have presentations and panel sessions on the changing landscape of products of microbial biotechnology in South America, their regulation, and the role of international organizations in supporting the safety assessment of these products. | |
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Food Industry
Microbial biotechnology is used to produce a range of foods, beverages, and their ingredients. This includes enzymes for making wine, cheese, beer, processed products, vitamins and amino acids, human milk oligosaccharides for infant food products, purified flavors and colors, and other food components
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Livestock Production
In recent years, the applications of microorganisms in improving animal feed have tremendously benefitted livestock agriculture. They help add value ingredients to the forage, enhance the bioavailability of nutrients by using enzymes, and manipulate rumen microbes to improve animal health.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Microorganisms are a vital component of sustainable agriculture. Genetically engineered and genome edited strains are being used to protect soil health, improve soil fertility, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, enhance stress tolerance, and protect against diseases.
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The webinar includes presentations on the research and development landscape, regulatory framework, and safety assessment for products derived from microbial biotechnology. Panel discussions will focus on microbial biotechnology products in South America and the regulatory policy outlook for these products in the region. | |
Keynote Presentation at the Asia and Pacific Food Security Forum 2024 | | |
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On April 9, 2024 in Manila, Dr. Mark Rosegrant, Chair of the AFSI Board, delivered a keynote presentation on the future of food and agriculture in Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Development Bank’s Asia and Pacific Food Security Forum 2024. After discussing key challenges to food security, including climate change, water scarcity, slowing agricultural productivity growth, and inefficient value chains, Dr. Rosegrant presented the results from agricultural sector modeling, showing that increased investments in agricultural productivity growth, irrigation and water use efficiency, and rural infrastructure are highly effective in increasing agricultural production, cutting food prices, reducing hunger, and decreasing GHG emissions. | |
In addition to these gains, investments in health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, and education are needed to reduce hunger and childhood malnutrition further, and those who are still vulnerable must be reached through income transfers and safety nets that help them through short-term stresses or disasters. The impact of investments would be further increased by improving the enabling environment for sustainable intensification. A well-targeted portfolio of investments and policy reforms can meet food security goals even in the face of significant food system challenges. | | | | |
