#agrifood systems

[farmerstrend]

Experts Call for Increased Investment in Women’s Leadership and Resources to Strengthen African Agrifood Systems

CGIAR GEI Accelerator, AWARD, ILRI, and CIFOR-ICRAF unite to champion women’s empowerment in agriculture Women play pivotal roles in food systems as producers, workers, processors, distributors, traders, and consumers. They contribute significantly to the food and nutritional security of communities.  Yet, they continue to face significant barriers such as limited access to land which restricts…

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Grist:

One in 11 people worldwide went hungry last year, while one in three struggled to afford a healthy diet. These numbers underscore the fact that governments not only have little shot at achieving a goal, set in 2015, of eradicating hunger, but progress toward expanding food access is backsliding. 

The data, included in a United Nations report released Wednesday, also reveals something surprising: As global crises continue to deepen, issues like hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition no longer stand alone as isolated benchmarks of public health. In the eyes of the intergovernmental organizations and humanitarian institutions tracking these challenges, access to food is increasingly entangled with the impacts of a warming world. 

“The agrifood system is working under risk and uncertainties, and these risks and uncertainties are being accelerated because of climate [change] and the frequency of climate events,” Máximo Torero Cullen, chief economist of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, said in a briefing. It is a “problem that will continue to increase,” he said, adding that the mounting effects of warming on global food systems create a human rights issue. 

Torero calls the crisis “an unacceptable situation that we cannot afford, both in terms of our society, in terms of our moral beliefs, but also in terms of our economic returns.” 

Of the 733 million or so people who went hungry last year, there were roughly 152 million more facing chronic undernourishment than were recorded in 2019. (All told, around 2.8 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.) This is comparable to what was seen in 2008 and 2009, a period widely considered the last major global food crisis, and effectively sets the goal of equitable food access back 15 years. This insecurity remains most acute in low-income nations, where 71.5 percent of residents struggled to buy enough nutritious food — compared to just 6.3 percent in wealthy countries. 

Climate change is second only to conflict in having the greatest impact on global hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, according to the FAO. That’s because planetary warming does more than disrupt food production and supply chains through extreme weather events like droughts. It promotes the spread of diseases and pests, which affects livestock and crop yields. And it increasingly causes people to migrate as they flee areas ravaged by rising seas and devastating storms, which, in turn, can fuel conflict that then drives more migration in a vicious cycle. 

[probablyasocialecologist]

Sourcing food in biotech  factories requires a reorganization of the food system to be highly centralized, arranged into corporate-mediated value chains flowing from industrial processing facilities. To my mind that is exactly the corporate industrial food chain model at the root of so many of our current problems. We don’t want the food system concentrated in the hands of less and bigger corporations. Such a concentrated food system  is unfair,  extractive, easy to monopolize and  very vulnerable to external shocks  - which we are going to see more of in our unfolding century of crisis. Consider which food system is more likely to fall over in the face of climate catastrophe, dictatorship  or cyberattack: - a handful of large electrically dependent food brewers  or a distributed network of millions of small farms and local food relationships  spread across diverse landscapes? Which brings us to Chris’s other central premise in ‘Saying No to a Farm-free Future’ - the one that George does attempt a partial response to. Chris argues that the way to organise food to survive in the face of climate crisis is to withdraw away from the corporate controlled industrial agrifood chain  and attempt instead  to put power back into the distributed local ‘food web’ of small growers, local markets and peasant-type production . This ‘food web’ may sound  ‘backwards’ to modernist global north sensibilities of someone like George but it is what still characterizes much of  the food systems of the global South. It is also better suited to our times of crisis and challenge. Strengthening food webs is not a “one stop” bold  breakthrough. Rather its a distributed social process of ‘muddling through’ together  in diverse and different ways that are at best  agroecological and collective, culturally and ecologically tailored to different geographies. The food web (or ‘agrarian localism’ as Chris terms it) can’t be summed up in one shiny totemic widget. It doesn’t fit  a formulaic  “stop this, go that” campaign binary (“stop eating meet , go plant-based”).   Leaning into the complexities of  local agroecological diverse food webs is maddeningly  unsellable as a soundbite.  George presents agrarian localism as a ‘withdrawal’  but its more in the gesture of “staying with the trouble” - a phrase feminist scholar Donna Harraway so brilliantly coined to dismiss  big, male, over simplistic technocratic solutionists who claim to have the ‘one big answer’ to our global polycrisis. (sound familiar?). Staying with the trouble and leaning into food webs means embracing a messy politics of relationship, nuance, context, complexity and co-learning. It means a single clever journalist sitting in Oxford can’t dream up a cracking saviour formula all by himself in the space of a 2 year book project. . its why (and how) we build movements - to figure this stuff out collectively. So relax - take off the armour - make friends.

[cookie-nom-nom]

COP29 NOV 11--Blue Zone

review of the notes from my first day of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference. Disclaimer I'm just a ~silly guy~ not a policy or geopolitical expert. My observations and opinions do not reflect AC or RINGOs. This is what I witnessed, overheard, remember, and (crucially) understand, and may not be representative of final policy decisions.

I was in the Blue Zone today (official UN ground, where negotiations occur). From the RINGO meeting, rumor was the night before COP29 officially began officials were up till 4 am arguing about the agenda. Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement (mechanisms of carbon markets) was deeply contested in particular. Also arguments about unilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Also weather Global Stocktake (assessment of global progress on Paris Agreement) would be filed under general or financial sections. US/EU/Australia/smaller island nations were wanting it to be considered broader, with BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) wanting it under strictly Finance. More Paris Agreement stuff.

This resulted in the opening plenary beginning at 11 am, followed immediately by break for closed door discussions on the second item of the day, the agenda. This was a completely unprecedented delay, and the agenda was only resolved at 9pm.

This is the previous COP president Sultan Al Jaber, who did the opening address of plenary and handed over the presidency to Muhktar Babayev (photo below) with an embrace.

Notes of claims from Babayev's address to the plenary body:

We are set to break records on renewable energy and its investment.

There is a goal of low-carbon growth (as opposed to zero, which I think is an important distinction)

853 million put into the Loss and Damage fund

A call to increase climate financing ambitions. This is not charity, but in the self interest of all countries who with to mitigate the ethical and economical consequences of climate change.

A reinforcement of the call to transition away from fossil fuels (important, as last year is the first time such phrasing was used for the UNFCCC)

Emphasizing the cooperation required of everyone.

Genocide and the environment

Social justice is deeply tied into climate change efforts. Here in the Blue Zone we had a demonstration to end genocide (as relevant by its massive carbon emissions, if the human rights angle doesn't suffice), with particular emphasis on Palestine and reclaiming Indigenous lands. Demonstrations within the blue zone are allowed with permission, and can have a maximum of 20 people actively participating. Those in solidarity of the demonstration raised their fists in support. Also, this could not happen in the Green Zone (public conference) due to it being controlled by the host country, and Azerbaijan has strict laws against protests.

USAmerican election and its future climate policy

I proceeded to get rather lost trying to find a conference on USAmerican climate response to the Trump election, but got there too late because the Blue Zone is massive oof. Did catch the people coming out, and the strategy thus far is that the Biden administration's environmental policies were designed to endure regime shifts and should be difficult to undo without significant political effort. So, we'll be unfortunately testing that durability, particularly with how Trump likes to flout the rules and the Supreme Court deemed that legal.

Additionally, NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are due in February but the US may potentially do theirs sooner before the regime shift. Effectiveness is questionable because the accountability of countries upholding their NDCs is already kinda honor code.

Subfederal action is going to be a main proponent of climate action from here on.

Conference: Transparency for transforming the agrifood system

I...must admit I was constantly blacking out and jerking back awake during this meeting because of jet lag. So the merit of these notes may be questionable particularly bc I'm having trouble reading them. However, notes from representatives from Mongolia, Pakistan, Georgia, UN, and others.

10% of global green house gas emissions are from agriculture (Technically this was from Babayev's speech but I think it's a useful reference point for this conversation. Production, manufacturing, distribution, and waste of food produces a lot of emissions).

Data quality is of large concern for transparency and effectiveness of implementation purposes. Countries have different methodologies and argue about which is superior, and the quality of others' methods. This can be particularly of note in the carbon markets. Data collection is a large logistical and technological challenge.

Everyone wants increased transparency. Or claim to. I think, aside from technical difficulties in data collection and funding thereof, the countries would actually prefer others are transparent and less themselves to be. As evidenced by things like high levels of methane unaccounted by the summation of all countries' submitted emission reports. But that's just my opinion.

BTRs (Biennial transparency reports) are difficult, and the country representatives present were apologizing for delays.

Calls for increase of human capacity. Imma be level that seems like a vague ideal to me, but I think it might mean carrying capacity (kinda a deeply flawed concept already, sustainability is extremely difficult to ascertain without prolonged unsustainability to confirm it)

Double counting is a problem for carbon removals

Efforts to work with farmers in data collection and to better improve their methods

A claim on carbon neutral livestock farming to balance cattle methane emissions with soil carbon sequestering through grazingland ecosystem management.

Conversion of carbon sink ecosystems into farmland. From personal research: In 2019, 17% of global cropland was newly converted since 2003, and the rate of yearly conversion is accelerating.

Potentially using IPCC software for consistency in data collection and analysis

Ecocide as a tool of war

Lastly, there are country pavilions in the Blue Zone where they raise issues. I did not particularly look too much into most of them, but would like to share Ukraine's because it was amazing imo.

One, the walls are literally full of seeds, and I think it will be really cool seeing them begin to sprout by the end of the conference

Two, how destroying the environment is a concentrated effort to destroy its people. Because again, protecting the environment/climate is protecting the people.

Lastly, these solar panels damaged in the war. A large emphasis in this pavilion was rebuilding from the bombing and coming back greener, which I found particularly admirable. The bravery to forge something new while grieving the comfort of what was lost. The circumstances presenting the opportunity to reinvent their infrastructure is obviously horrendous, but seizing said opportunity nonetheless is inspiring. Renewable energy is also a way to be energy independent, which is particularly important if you’re say Ukraine and the closest major oil exporter is Russia.

Now, I had left the Blue Zone by then (needed dinner where there isn't price gouging! Yikes!) but plenary did eventually assume very late, and massive progress on Article 6 was made!

This is about Carbon Markets, some people are happy others aren't, etc. Also the agenda was implement as the original plan (GST under finance) with acknowledgements made that it was broader consideration. And now plenary can actually continue instead of being stymied! In consideration for the day of lost time, sessions will run later than usual. After today it's going to get busy!

[victorysp]

Her Majesty Queen Máxima paid a working visit to Foodvalley in Wageningen on Wednesday morning, May 15. The Foodvalley organization guides companies involved in the transition to a sustainable food system, from ideas and ambitions to practice. Foodvalley focuses on themes such as protein transition, circular agrifood and food and health. The working visit fits in with a series of visits by Queen Máxima in the field of sustainability and circularity.

📷 Royal House of the Netherlands

[thxnews]

World Bank: Cutting Greenhouse Gases through Agriculture

A recent World Bank report unveils a promising pathway: by adjusting farming practices, we can slash global greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a third. This shift not only promotes sustainability but also fortifies food security for the most vulnerable.  

Sustainable Practices: The Heart of Change

Agricultural Techniques for a Cooler Planet Transforming agricultural methods can have a profound impact on our planet's health. By adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, farmers can significantly reduce emissions. Techniques such as precision farming, which optimizes the use of resources like water and fertilizer, and integrated pest management, that minimizes pesticide use, are at the forefront of this movement. Such practices not only lessen environmental impact but also improve yield efficiency.   The Role of Technology in Sustainable Agriculture Technology plays a pivotal role in modernizing farming techniques. Innovations like drone technology for crop monitoring and automated irrigation systems can drastically cut down resource wastage and emissions. These technologies, once perceived as luxuries, are now becoming necessities in the fight against climate change.  

Policy Support and Economic Incentives

Reforming Agricultural Subsidies A significant portion of the change hinges on policy reform. Currently, many subsidies encourage practices harmful to the environment. Redirecting these funds towards supporting sustainable practices can catalyze a major reduction in agrifood emissions. For instance, subsidies for cover cropping or organic farming can promote soil health and carbon sequestration.   Financial Models and Investments The financial investment required to halve agrifood emissions by 2030 is substantial—estimated at $260 billion annually. However, the returns, such as improved public health, job creation, and enhanced food security, far outweigh the costs. It is crucial for both governmental bodies and private sectors to collaborate in financing these green initiatives.  

Global Cooperation for a Sustainable Future

International Collaboration and Support High-income countries have a unique position to lead global efforts by providing technical and financial assistance to lower-income nations. This support is essential for adopting low-emission farming methods and technologies across the globe. Additionally, international partnerships can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and resources, enabling a unified approach to tackling climate change.   A Unified Approach Across Income Brackets While high-income countries can lead by example, middle and low-income countries also play critical roles. Middle-income countries can reduce up to 75% of global agrifood emissions through greener practices, while low-income countries can focus on avoiding high-emission pitfalls of industrialized nations.   A Recipe for a Livable Planet The journey to a sustainable agrifood system is complex but achievable. With concerted global effort, strategic investments, and a commitment to transforming agricultural practices, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our food systems. The benefits of such transformations extend beyond environmental impacts, promising a healthier planet and a sustainable future for all. It's time for stakeholders across the board—policymakers, farmers, investors, and consumers—to unite in this vital cause. Together, we can cultivate a greener, more sustainable world.   Sources: THX News, WB Report & World Bank. Read the full article

[notwiselybuttoowell]

Research published on Friday by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) at Cop28 reveals the huge impact of livestock emissions on the climate. Livestock produce methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, so are a key contributor to the climate crisis.

The FAO found that livestock agrifood systems – which include cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens – are responsible for 6.2 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions.

This accounts for approximately 12% of all emissions in 2015, the baseline year chosen for the study.

It also found:

 Of all the six animal species considered, cattle contribute to more than 60% of global livestock emissions.

 Of the edible animal products – meat, milk and eggs – two-thirds of the emissions are linked to meat production across all species.

 A further one-third of emissions comes from the production, processing and transport of feed inputs.

By 2050, demand for animal products is likely to grow by a fifth from 2020 levels

Without intervention, this upward trend could result in increased emissions from livestock systems, potentially undermining efforts to reduce GHG emissions and exacerbating global temperature rises.

The FAO concludes that more sustainable practices are needed, including breeding livestock for lower emissions and changing their feed, as well as changing human diets.

The report included some data that will trouble campaigners. Cattle in sub-Saharan Africa produce relatively far more emissions than North American cattle, according to the study, although most conservationists would regard subsistence herding as more acceptable environmentally than the mega farms of the US midwest.

The report notes that the absolute emissions of US intensive livestock farming are far greater than those of African herds, but said there was scope for interventions in Africa that would reduce emissions.

Campaigners will not want to see the US given a clean sheet and subsistence farmers taking the blame – that would be the wrong conclusion to draw from their data.

FAO will also present, separately, on Sunday a road map for the world food systems for staying within 1.5C .

Ivo Vlaev, a professor of behavioural science at Warwick Business School at the University of Warwick, said: “Shifting public dietary habits, especially in affluent countries where meat consumption is high, is a complex challenge. People’s food choices are deeply ingrained and influenced by cultural, social, and personal factors.

“Interventions to change these behaviours must account for these influences, potentially employing strategies like social norming (highlighting the growing popularity of plant-based diets), framing (emphasising the personal health benefits of reduced meat consumption), and facilitating ease of access to alternative protein sources.”

X

Preliminary reporting on the roadmap here

[cross-border-communications]

The Importance of Technological Protection for Spring Heritage. The thermal water of the Baths of Popoli

image credit vitamina project

The Popoli community has a longstanding connection with its spring heritage. The Pescara Springs, a notable aspect of their community, are home to a vital Blue Ecosystem. The waters flow from four caves creating a small lake called Capo Pescara. It is essential to protect this ecosystem using technology.

The image is a close-to-reality setting of the regional nature reserve "Sorgenti del Pescara," digitally reproduced by The Board Behind

The Municipality of Popoli Terme - Comune di Popoli - located in Abruzzi, is focusing on water access, protection, enhancement, water monitoring, and reviving inland communities. The hamlet is situated between the lower reaches of the Aterno-Sagittario River to the northwest, the Peligna Valley to the south, the Maiella massif to the southeast, and the Riserva naturale regionale guidata "Sorgenti del Pescara" .

The community is committed to improving and safeguarding water resources, and the International Water Academy was created to achieve this goal. The Ampioraggio Foundation - Fondazione Ampioraggio - initiated this innovative project, which aims to transform the area's rich raw materials into a lever for sustainable and technological development.

The 'image is a close-to-reality setting of the regional nature reserve "Sorgenti del Pescara," digitally reproduced by The Board Behind.

The International Water Academy is an open ecosystem that brings together researchers, businesses, administrators, and organizations to focus on conserving and enhancing water resources.

Through knowledge and technology, this community of innovators is working towards transforming Popoli Terme Terme di Popoli into a "water city," a center for education, research, and innovation on culture, environment, energy, use, and work, while adhering to the principles of sustainability and water resource protection. Popoli Terme - Città delle Acque

The 'image is a close-to-reality setting of the regional nature reserve "Sorgenti del Pescara," digitally reproduced by The Board Behind.

This group of innovative individuals in Popoli Terme is working towards transforming their community into a "city of water," an international hub for all things water-related. Their goal is to promote sustainable practices and water resource protection through training, research, and innovation in areas such as culture, environment, energy, use, and work.

This innovative initiative is a peripheral area that deserves attention and dissemination as a good practice for other sites facing water access and safety issues.

In today's world, we require new ideas and technologies to improve the resilience of our water supply system. Some examples include better management of water resources with the assistance of artificial intelligence and moisture capture systems that create drinkable water in areas lacking infrastructure.

The upcoming events at the International Water Academy will focus on expert discussions regarding "Funds and Open Innovation for Water Management," "AgriFood for Water Innovation," "Innovative Ideas to Support Water Savings," and "Tools for On-the-ground Management."

The image is a close-to-reality setting of the regional nature reserve "Sorgenti del Pescara," digitally reproduced by The Board Behind.

🟠 The published article was originally authored by Domenico Letizia in La tutela tecnologica del patrimonio liquido 🟠 More: L'innovazione Tecnologica per Tutelare e Monitorare L'ora Blue

⏩ The Board Behind ⏩

[global-research-report]

Smarter Data, Stronger Insights: The Remote Sensing Tech Evolution

The U.S. remote sensing technology market size is expected to reach USD 10.70 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing adoption of remote sensing technology from farmers as it aids them in understanding crop type classification, assessing crop growth, and estimating crop yield, which is a major factor expected to drive the growth of the U.S. market for remote sensing technology. Modern food production and agriculture systems face pressure due to dwindling land and water availability for irrigation, climate change, and increased production costs.

Technological and scientific innovations are required to secure sufficient food for the fast-growing global population. For instance, NASA Acres Consortium, NASA’s U.S.-focused agriculture and food security program, focused on applying satellite Earth Observation (EO) information to the agricultural and food security challenges faced by farmers, ranchers, and agrifood system stakeholders based in the U.S. To boost the U.S. agricultural sector, NASA Acres collaborated with individuals across the farm sector to develop EO-based data and solutions. To provide U.S. agriculture decision-makers with the advantages of NASA data and tools, the consortium model brings together the public and private sectors and enables flexible collaborations and quick action.

Likewise, GIS and remote sensing collectively help environmental decision-makers and scientists optimize global data and information sharing, enable resource allocation, and promote cost-efficient and effective environmental risk assessment and management practices. As industrialization and population growth put more pressure on the Earth's environment, remote sensing, and GIS are expected to become critical for environmental risk assessment and management.

Remote sensing poses several challenges, despite making complex issues more accessible and usable. Managing massive amounts of data in complex data formats with difficult processing is one of the main problems. These challenges are expected to limit its adoption among end users, further limiting the growth of the U.S. remote sensing technology industry.

U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Market Report Highlights

Based on technology, the passive remote sensing segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Passive remote sensing technology measures the reflected sunlight from the earth’s surface to monitor and analyze surface characteristics

Based on application, the disaster management segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. By identifying risk zones related to flood plains, coastal flooding and erosion, and active faults, remote sensing can help risk reduction initiatives, thereby expected to drive segment growth

Based on platform, the aerial systems segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Aerial systems platform decreases human error and increases surveying and area accuracy overall. They can also assist in surveying inaccessible places through satellite images, improving utility

U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. remote sensing technology market based on technology, application, and platform:

U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Active Remote Sensing

Passive Remote Sensing

U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Agriculture & Living Resources

Military & Intelligence

Disaster Management

Infrastructure

Weather

Others

U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Platform Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Satellite

Aerial Systems

Key Players in the U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Market

Maxar Technologies

Esri

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Hexagon

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Orbital Insight

Planet Labs PBC

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated

Leidos

Order a free sample PDF of the U.S. Remote Sensing Technology Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[blacknutagrifood]

A spice processing plant manufacturer specializes in designing and producing equipment and facilities for the effective processing of spices. This includes cleaning, grinding, blending, and packaging systems tailored to preserve flavor and quality. BlackNut Agrifood Machinery is a leading Spice Processing Plant Manufacturer in India, offering cutting-edge solutions for grinding, blending, and packaging spices. Our advanced machinery ensures high efficiency, hygiene, and quality. Choose BlackNut for robust, customized spice processing solutions!

[farmerstrend]

Putting a price on soils: can farmers benefit?

Healthy soils do much more than produce food. They perform a multitude of vital functions, like filtering water, supporting biodiversity, and even protecting the planet from climate change. Just as the environmental costs of intensive farming never factor into the price of food, farmers who build soil health are rarely compensated for the ecosystem services they provide. As a result of these…

[entomoblog]

Les insectes peuvent-ils remplacer la viande ?

See on Scoop.it - Insect Archive

Cette idée, défendue par la FAO, entend répondre à plusieurs défis : l’augmentation de la population mondiale, la nécessité d’assurer à chacun un apport suffisant en protéines et un impact environnemental réduit pour l'alimentation humaine.

  Pauline Vallée

France Télévisions

  Publié le 20/02/2025 17:22

  Cet article a été publié une première fois en 2023 par le média Nowu, spécialisé en écologie.

  La production de viande a un fort impact environnemental. L'élevage représente chaque année 12% des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre selon un récent rapport [2023, ndé] de la FAO (Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture). Toujours selon l'organisation, la demande en produit d'origine animale devrait augmenter de 20% d'ici 2050 face à la croissance de la population mondiale.

  Pathways towards lower emission. A global assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options from livestock agrifood systems, 19.12.2023 https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/b3f21d6d-bd6d-4e66-b8ca-63ce376560b5

  Image Laura Geiger et Paulin Viguier

[indianflash123]

Space Technology: A Game Changer for Agriculture and Food Security

Thousands of new satellites orbiting Earth offer groundbreaking tools to strengthen agrifood systems. A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) highlights how space technology transforms farming. It also covers forestry and land management. It provides policymakers and experts with insights into how satellite data…

[indianflashnews]

Space Technology: A Game Changer for Agriculture and Food Security

Thousands of new satellites orbiting Earth offer groundbreaking tools to strengthen agrifood systems. A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) highlights how space technology transforms farming. It also covers forestry and land management. It provides policymakers and experts with insights into how satellite data…

[cyberbenb]

The week ahead: Key developments impacting global politics & markets

Editor’s note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Feb. 10-Feb. 16. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday.

This week’s key event is the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), taking place on Feb. 14-16. European defense, Europe-US relations, and Ukraine support/ ceasefire talks will take center stage (all major themes at a somewhat nervous Feb. 3 “informal retreat” of EU 27 + UK + NATO leaders; Ukraine was not invited).

Special US Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg is expected to visit Kyiv, either before heading to Munich or “later in February” (note: while it would make sense for Kellogg to visit Kyiv before Munich, heartening Ukrainians and signaling a peace deal will not be made “over their heads”, we see some uncertainty)

Kellogg stated that US President Donald Trump’s team is developing a reliable plan to end the war within 100 days. Kellogg is expected to attend MSC (but not to present the plan, which is Trump’s prerogative), together with Vice-President JD Vance (he will travel there from the AI Action Summit on Feb. 10-11 in Paris) and possibly the US president himself.

(note: This year’s MSC comes just a week before snap elections in Germany, which could influence ongoing German support for Ukraine.)

Earlier, the European Parliament will hold a plenary session in Strasbourg on Feb. 11 on maintaining the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, which is awaiting a vote. The session will review ongoing and future commitments across military, economic, and humanitarian assistance and Ukraine’s EU accession process

Key topics expected are additional weapons deliveries, long-term security assistance, joint procurement of ammunition and air defense systems, and legal and political challenges to using Russian assets held within the EU to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction.

MEPs will also discuss renewing the Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology between the EU and Ukraine. The agreement facilitates joint research projects, knowledge exchange and funding opportunities between Ukrainian and EU institutions. Renewal would ensure continued access to collaborative scientific initiatives.

The “Ramstein summit” of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) is expected to take place on Feb. 12 in London under the chairmanship of the UK (rather than the US, likely a signal of US disengagement from Europe). UDCG includes over 50 countries (incl. all 32 NATO members). It previously met at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany

If you have an upcoming event that you would like featured in our newsletter, please get in touch via insights@kyivindependent.com.

KI Insights

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Other Events and Milestones:

Feb. 12 - Rebuilding Ukraine: Key Investment and Financing Insights (From 11:00 EET). A webinar providing an overview of investment and financing opportunities for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Register here.

Feb. 13 - Dutch Agrifood Platform Ukraine Meeting, (10:30 - 13:30 EET). A networking event in the Hague for the Dutch agrifood industry to connect, learn, and explore opportunities in Ukraine. Register here.

Feb. 13 - Reconstruction Opportunities for Dutch Entrepreneurs (13:00 - 14:00 EET). This session in the Hague will cover how International Financial Institution’s support impacts Ukraine’s reconstruction and opportunities for Dutch companies. Register here.

Feb. 13-14 - Mind Export Summit 2025 (From 09:50 EET): Held in Kyiv and organized by Mind Business Publication, this event will bring together business representatives with practical experience in international markets and those looking to scale beyond Ukraine. Buy tickets here.

Feb. 13-14 - 22nd International Conference Black Sea Grain Europe (From 10:00 EET). Held in Prague, Czech Republic, and organized by the IFC in cooperation with the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association. Register here.

Feb. 15 - the Day of the Military Journalist in Ukraine. A day of remembrance for all military journalists, correspondents, press officers, and public relations specialists who died in the line of duty.

Feb. 15 - Solidarity with Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Occupation (13:00-17:00 EET). A trade unionist conference in London, organized by the NEU Ukraine Network in support of Ukraine’s resistance to Russian imperialism.

Opinion: Berlin’s coalition drama puts Ukraine — and Europe — at risk

Donald Trump’s re-election has sent political shockwaves across the Atlantic, pushing Germany — Ukraine’s second-largest donor — into a decisive moment. The election has intensified internal divides and sparked a reckoning over Germany’s role in European security. For years, German leaders deferred…

The Kyiv IndependentFelix Blatt

[australiajobstoday]

National Professional Officer (South-South and Triangular Cooperation)

Organizational SettingThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.FAO’s commitment…