Food in the world
Hunger and malnutrition remain huge challenges in many parts of the world. More than 820 million people in the world suffer from chronic hunger, while the world’s population is projected to grow to almost 10 billion by 2050. To meet food demand, agriculture will need to produce almost 50 percent more food than it did in 2012. The Netherlands has a renowned international reputation in the Agrofood sector, and acknowledges it has a responsibility in transferring knowledge and skills to low and middle income countries in view of sustainable growth and development.
After the success of YEP Water, YEP Agrofood was initiated in 2015 and contributes to this responsibility. Enthusiastic and passionate agrofood young professionals kick off their international careers and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially to SDG2, which aims at “zero hunger”. The food and agriculture sector is believed to offer key solutions for development, and is central to hunger and poverty eradication.
Achieving the SDGs by 2030 will require food systems that are inclusive, sustainable, efficient, nutritious and healthy. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has used the SDGs as guidance for the design of their policy and continues to focus on agriculture, and especially on Food and Nutrition Security (FNS). The three objectives, which were developed in 2014, are still relevant, and all YEP Agrofood positions are related to one or more of the following themes:
- Eradicating existing hunger and malnutrition
- Promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in the agricultural sector
- Creating ecologically sustainable food systems
Together with our strategic partner Netherlands Food Partnership, YEP Programmes contributes to these themes. Netherlands Food Partnership enables powerful collaboration with international partners to achieve urgent changes that contribute to sustainable food systems and nutrition security and reach SDG2. It accelerates transformative coalitions by facilitating relevant support, and creating experimental space to prototype new approaches and solutions.
