Why to Invest in Agrigenomics?

Today, the socio-economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affect the global food security and nutritional status of the most vulnerable population groups in the world. It is estimated that almost 690 million people globally remain undernourished according to the FAO.

I have successfully developed and delivered a winner technical proposal (methodology) on "Technical Assistance for Agrigenomics Hub - Animal and Plant Genomics Research Innovation Center" at 2020.

I know that agrigenomics technologies in agri-food industry can play a strong role in supporting and enhancing global food security as a powerful tool for crop and livestock breeding, and increasing food quality, safety and productivity; reducing costs; improving crop and animal health; improving tolerance to the pests and environmental stress; decreasing food waste; reversing the loss of the biodiversity, and improving the ecosystem services.

In this context, I believe that genomics technologies can create benefits to human health and nutrition and maintain sustainability in the agri-food systems and environment, food safety and security, and economic health and competitiveness.

Therefore, you have to invest in genomics that is key to a healthy, safe food supply and to creating a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector.

Agrigenomics Research and Development on a crop field.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD VALUE CHAINS

Future Farming concept will foster Food Value Chains development

I believe that agriculture and food industry are vital contributors to the economic growth. Therefore, we have to develop Sustainable Food Value Chains (SFVCs).

We have to keep in mind that the climate change mitigation and adaptation, advanced technology investment, agrigenomics, design and prototyping, conservation of biodiversity, agroecology, improving access to finance, ensuring food quality and safety, smart specialization and cluster internationalization, capacity building, market intelligence, promoting access to distribution channels and markets, and global innovation networking and collaboration for the agri-food industry development are the most important pillars now impacting the agri-food industry more than ever before.

In this context, we have to design, develop and implement a Food Value Chain (FVC) development concept, medium-to long-term vision, strategy, roadmap, activity plan and integrate these to our Global Value Chain (GVC) strategy at the firm level and at the country level with the activities across the geographies through fostering the engagement of the agri-food industry growth drivers.

Ten Pillars of Agribusiness Development

1. Connect smallholders and businesses to improve access to domestic and international markets

2. Secure long-term, cost-effective and reliable supply and management of commodities

3. Design, develop and implement policies and actions on technological advances (include ICT, agrigenomics, energy access, infrastructure, etc.) and changing needs of the society through regarding uncertainties and promoting an entrepreneurial society

4. Decide where to play along the agrifood value chain to create value for the final consumer

5. Establish organizational agility and ensure alignment of the projects and programmes to the business development

6. Diversify products and/or services along agrifood value chains, and/or specialize in certain products and/or services

7. Develop and implement future business scenario and adjust regularly

8. Develop knowledge and skills, and build organizational and operational capabilities and partnerships to ensure growth, competitiveness and internationalization

9. Apply advanced farm to fork and biodiversity strategies to create a well-balanced nature, food systems and biodiversity

10. Promote effective and innovative financing mechanisms