In conjunction with World Food Day, agricultural lender Rabobank announced a global program, “Kickstart Food,” to encourage sustainable food production, beginning with a $1-billion “facility” for land restoration and forest protection. The facility was launched in partnership with the UN Environment Program.
“With our knowledge, networks and financing capabilities, we aim to further motivate and facilitate clients in adopting a more sustainable food production practice globally,” said Rabobank chief executive Wiebe Draijer. The Kickstart program has four elements — sustainable food production, reduction of food waste, creation of a stable and resilient food and ag sector, and ensuring healthy food and balanced diets.
“The investment will take the shape of both financial incentives and technical assistance, drawing on best practices from Rabobank’s global client base and in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and other leading organizations,” said Rabobank.
Pope Francis said during a World Food Day celebration in Rome that to achieve food security, nations need to act on climate change and to end armed conflict, two leading causes of migration. “It is clear that wars and climate change are a cause of hunger so let’s not present it as if hunger is an incurable disease,” said Francis, the first pope to deliver World Food Day speech at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
The FAO estimated there are 244 million international migrants today, 40 percent more than in 2000. “A large share of these migrants come from rural areas where more than three quarters of the world’s poor depend on agriculture and natural resource-based livelihood,” said FAO.