Producers, researchers urged to rise to global challenges
He issued the challenge at Expo Milano 2015, a large-scale global fair which runs for six months every five years. This year’s theme is ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. A total of 140 countries, including Ireland, are participating at the event which runs until October and is expected to attract 20m visitors.
Mr Hogan said the world will have to produce 60% more food by 2050. This is the quantity, but there is also the question of quality.
“We know that worldwide demand for high-quality food will continue to increase in the coming years, particularly in Asian and African emerging markets,” said Mr Hogan. “An estimated 150m people will enter the global middle class every year until 2030.
“This massive growth in disposable income will result in significant changes to dietary patterns, as families demand better quality and more nutritious food on their tables.”
Mr Hogan said improved research and innovation is needed, but added that these changes will not happen spontaneously.
“It will happen because we create the right enabling environment for it to thrive,” he said. “To achieve this, it is high time we begin bridging the communication gap between farmers, researchers and agri-business.
“The European Union has recognised the changing global patterns, and we have acted decisively in recent years to target supports where they are needed. We are putting our money where our mouth is.”
European farmers have already adapted tremendously to progressively improve productivity, food security, safety and quality at all stages of the food chain.
“But we need to do more. We need to establish vehicles to bring together people from the agri-food, research, information and communications technology and investment communities,” said Mr Hogan.
“In so doing, common opportunities will be identified, key collaborations will be established and things will start to happen.”
