Food Supply at Risk?

Our food system is a complicated and interconnected web of producers, suppliers, transporters, and consumers. The linked story from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explores our food systems and potential risks and protections. We encourage you to explore the linked story and engage with others around the globe utilizing the discussion points provided. 

Is our food supply at risk? 

Discussion Points

• What are the three main components of the agri-food system and how do they interact?
• Diversity is mentioned as a key strategy to protect our food systems. What does this look like? Do you see diversity in your food systems locally and around the world (explain)?
• Using the interactive table in the story, what would happen if incomes were reduced by one-third? Consider your home area and other areas around the globe.
• Towards the end of the story several strategies are shared to protect food systems. Rank the strategies shared from most important to least important and share your reasoning. 

Ukraine - Russia Conflict Impact

Today we had virtual collaboration between individuals in Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States as part of a virtual exchange with the Global Agriculture Learning Center. Each month these students gather via Zoom to discuss topics in agriculture. In the past month the eyes of the world have turned to Ukraine. This morning students came together from several continents to share their experiences and insights around the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and Russia. We want to challenge all reading the blog to continue these conversations. Below you will find questions that we posed to the group that gathered and shared their responses this morning. 

Reflect and Discuss the Following:

• How is the ongoing conflict impacting you/us personally and professionally?
• How does the conflict influence agriculture (i.e. crop production, animal science, horticulture, viticulture, etc.)?
• How does the conflict influence biodiversity?
• What can we do to ensure food security?
• How might things change as a result of the conflict? What might be done differently or what opportunities may arise?

Global Collaboration

Global collaboration can often provide great benefits, but unfortunately does not always happen. This week we share a short video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlighting cooperation between countries to improve rice value chains. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations with others around the globe. 

Republic of Korea South-South Cooperation 

Discussion Points

• The following quote is shared at the beginning of the video: "Sharing of knowledge, experiences, technologies, and resources among countries in the Global South is vital to achieve more sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems."
• Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
• While it mentions the Global South do you believe collaboration is needed or useful for countries not considered part of the Global South? Explain your thoughts.
• Does your home country collaborate and share agriculture information with other countries? 
• Do you think your home country could benefit from greater collaboration and sharing of information? Why or why not? 
• Can you think of examples outside of agriculture when cooperation, collaboration, and sharing of knowledge between countries has improved world conditions? 

Ukraine - Russia Conflict and Lebanon Wheat Worries

The Ukraine - Russia conflict is causing great upheaval and challenges in the region, but as we have seen in many instances the conflict is having impacts around the globe. One of the countries that is being impacted is Lebanon due to their reliance on wheat from Ukraine. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe.

Ukraine crisis worries Lebanon over its wheat reserves

Discussion Points

• Why is the conflict in Ukraine and potential wheat shortage so troubling to the country and people of Lebanon?
• Imagine you are a top diplomat with the Lebanon government. What might you do to ease fears and alleviate the problem? How and why would you go about things the way you would?
• How might the escalating conflict in Ukraine impact other countries around the globe including your home country?
• If countries outside of Ukraine are concerned about food insecurity what might food insecurity look like in Ukraine? In what multiple ways is Ukraine's food supply/system being impacted?