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Podiumsdiskussion Tropentag in Berlin – a focus on ways to transform food systems BMEL panel discussion on rights-based approaches for a transformation of food systems. Source: BLE

Tropentag in Berlin – a focus on ways to transform food systems

The 2023 Tropentag took place from 20 to 22 September in Berlin. The hybrid conference was attended by a total of 1,200 people from 80 countries, 900 on-site and 300 via live stream. The focus was on scientific presentations and discussions on the conference theme "Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: trade-offs and synergies".

The Tropentag audience is committed to development-oriented agricultural research and rural development in the Global South. This year’s Tropentag addressed the major challenge of how current food systems can be transformed such that a growing world population can be adequately and sustainably fed.

More food is being produced than ever before worldwide. At the same time, the number of people who suffer from hunger keeps increasing. Malnutrition in all its forms, including undernutrition and obesity are on the rise, while crop and dietary diversity are declining. The need to transform our current food systems has become more urgent than ever. However, what such a transformation should and could look like remains hotly contested. While some argue for more technology oriented solutions, others call for a paradigm shift towards alternative food systems based on agroecology.

The research results presented at the Berlin Tropentag highlighted the pros and cons of different approaches. Attendees discussed how food systems can be transformed to be just, equitable and sustainable. The debate showed that priorities can differ across countries, regions, and even households. Depending on the context, conflicting goals need to be overcome and synergies have to be exploited.

BMEL promotes participatory, practice-oriented research

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, BMEL) contributes to improving the global food situation by promoting international cooperation between German research institutions and those in countries of the Global South in the field of agricultural and nutrition research. The aim is to use participatory, practice- and application-oriented as well as inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches to develop needs-oriented knowledge and solutions, to contribute to the further development of local capacities, and to establish long-term research partnerships. Both the financial support for the Tropentag conference and the international research projects are managed by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, BLE) on behalf of the BMEL.

By funding international research, the BMEL contributes to strengthening the implementation of the Right to Food worldwide and to sustainably improving the food situation. The BMEL’s research calls to date reflect the diversity of approaches to possible transformation pathways.

BMEL panel discussion on Global Food Security

At the panel discussion on "Leveraging human rights-based action towards equitable food systems", the BMEL, with the support of the BLE, presented its focus on international cooperation and research activities on Global Food Security. One important anchor point can be the use of agroecological approaches to implement the Right to Food, which is enshrined as a human right in international law. This right will be only realised if everyone, at all times is guaranteed access to resources that allow them to produce, earn or acquire food. The starting point of a human rights-based approach is the consideration of people as holders of universal rights that need to be protected and realised.

Taking into account the 20th anniversary of the "Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realisation of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security" in 2024, Sarah Brand, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented findings on successes and obstacles in the implementation of the Guidelines. Successes included the integration of the recommendations into the national food policy of Bangladesh and the establishment of a separate unit on the Right to Food in the BMEL. On the other hand, the global lack of awareness of the Guidelines and the lack of political will to implement them continue to be an impediment.

The panellists discussed how a rights-based transformation of food systems can be promoted. Representatives from research projects, the BMEL's bilateral cooperation programme (BKP) and the FAO highlighted different perspectives.

The contributions of the session illustrated that both research and development projects and political measures contribute to the implementation of the Guidelines and are necessary to improve the food situation. For example, the close linkage of the implementation of the Right to Food with other rights, such as access to land and seeds, underlines the systemic character. In research projects, the Right to Food is actively strengthened by specifically involving marginalised groups in a participatory and action-oriented manner and across disciplines. This serves to integrate local knowledge as well as culture- and context-related aspects. Ultimately, however, the Right to Food must also be anchored in the ministries and transferred into national legislation.

Rights-based approaches should be anchored even more firmly in research practice. Social science research in particular can contribute to a better understanding of the culturally diverse situations in the respective countries. Special attention should be paid to the roles of women and men alike in order to find the right levers for systemic improvement.

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