Consider the increasing rise in human population and the ever-changing global consumption patterns. Now consider climate change and the alarming degradation of the very resources that bring life to all existence. (Uff) How does one think of a sustainable food system in this day and age?
As you know, food systems cut across almost all aspects of human and nonhuman life. Livelihood, nutrition, food security, and ecosystems are just some of the aspects that need our immediate attention. It's a challenging undertaking and even more so when these issues are tackled in isolation from one another. A systems approach is needed.
These concerns are what inspired the Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) and the Socratus Foundation for Collective Wisdom to come together for the inaugural Food Systems Dialogue India (FSD) - a two-day multidisciplinary convening held on the 15th and 16th November 2022 at the India International Center, New Delhi.
The Food Systems Dialogue (FSD) India 2022 took place across both the main complex and its annex of India International Centre (IIC) and at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi across ten different indoor halls. The venues are located adjacent to the lush green Lodhi Garden with spacious halls accompanied with an interaction space in a round-table set-up.
The conceptualization of the dialogue came from the need to elicit a concerted and purposeful effort to facilitate public exchanges between all the relevant stakeholders to voice their thoughts collectively towards a well-functioning food system.
The main aspect to design this event is to help the different system players visualize the complex interconnections within the food ecosystem. To help both the partners and the people within them to visualize, we have invited 10 partners to come together for a unique discussion format. The session design focussed on helping the participants to view their expertise area from a different view point. For example, an agri - scientist listening to production systems from a water expert or from a technology expert. Over the period of two days, we expected people to be exposed to a range of perspectives and may get closer to the thought of interconnected food ecosystems.
We have selected 10 topics represented by 10 reputed institutions. As for participants, the organizations have invited delegates of different professional experience.
There were four sessions designed for two days. On the first day the participants will go through a convergence process by understanding multiple perspectives on their specific topics and follow a divergence process on the second day where they concluded the ideas they heard and discussed.
In the first session, all the participants from an organization came together to share their ideas from their experience and discuss ideas that need to be shared with the delegates of other organizations. This internal group discussion was called core group discussion.
For session 2 & 3, the participants from one organization visited the other organization room to share their views on the theme. For example, a delegate from production systems participates in consumer behavior discussions to share their thoughts. Likewise, around 100 delegates participated in such mixed group discussions for both sessions.
Finally, for the fourth session, participants came back to their internal core group discussion and concluded the ideas they have heard over the past two days.
For a grand finale, all the organizations concluded their ideas, suggestions, comments and shared them with the audience through a plenary session.
The FSD saw participation of over 200 participants encompassing academia, policy makers, industry, government, private organizations, research institutions, think tanks, civil society, innovators, international organizations, etc. Participants could be observed to be moving between halls across the venue to engage in enriching interactions on their themes. Some of the themes covered include Consumption and Behaviour anchored by Tata Cornell institute, Data & Food Systems jointly by FOLU & IFPRI, Food Production System by ICAR-NIAP, Nutrition by PHRN, Climate by TERI, etc.
The discussion groups at the dialogue raised a call for inter-sectoral and inter-departmental convergence across the range of actors in the food systems space. The dialogues facilitated a platform for building and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to find solutions to the current food system challenges. Two keywords emerged during the dialogue process, for instance, the first keyword was Systems where we need to get out of silos and reimagine a systems framework for food and Local which highlights the importance to think, talk, design and innovate locally.
The dialogues were held in the capital so, most of the participant institutions were from New Delhi. The dialogues on food systems could be envisioned bringing in more diversity in participation across different regions and also attempt to reflect the voices of fellow citizens.
The two-day event was bright with intellectual delegates and full of riveting conversations among the participants. Through design, though we were hopeful that the structure would work out but back of our minds there was always this anxiety about ideas being accepted/embraced by the participants. It took multiple conversations with the organizing team to align them with our structure – but towards the end, all the participants thoroughly enjoyed participating in discussions and expanding their boundaries of knowledge. This was evident from the suggestions participants have in the plenary session.
The convening design can be curated to introspect a deeper level into food systems or wider across other domains and sectors of interest. The dialogue brought about shared insights among participants, built relationships across the actors and committed to working together to advance a specific food system solution. The journey has just started towards transforming the way people think about food by bringing all the stakeholders together for a shared vision on the future of food.
Some testimonials/anecdotes from the participants…
Testimonies/anecdotes from participants- "We designed this dialogue so that all participants are heard. This is at the heart of everything, including Food Systems." Mr. T Nanda Kumar at the Closing Plenary of FSD India 2022 "There should be a competition for ideas that includes the private. sector for solving our current challenges. It can improve the hunger and nutrition situation and create a vibrant market for all in the value chain." - Karthik Jayaraman at the 1st Plenary Session of FSDIndia 2022 "People on the ground are natural systems thinkers. We need a new model - an organic model of institutions and systems. Nothing better to teach than nature itself and the people who live with nature - #farmers." - Arun Maira at the 1st Plenary Session of FSD India 2022 "Historically Food Systems succeeded in largely meeting the food and fibre requirements of society. Yet, there are people who are hungry and that is not necessarily because of the lack of FoodAvailability." Dr. Ramesh Chand at the Closing Plenary of FSDIndia2022 Dr. David Nabarro shared his views, that ‘What happens at the Food Systems Dialogue 2022 is in a way, what happens elsewhere. So we are trying to understand the Food Systems’.
The Gallery of Imaginary Objects
Today we device a way to help you enjoy your favourite meals with the sights and sounds from the field your food was grown on. Just place your food at the designated spot.
The songs of farmers, toiling in the fields, wafted through the air for miles.
As the grains ripened in the sun, their shaky voices echoed tales of trials.
Amidst the rustling of leaves and buzzing of bees, the strains of their melodies told
Of hope, of loss, of hard work and dreams, of stories timeless and bold.