Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Accepted in Part
Provide clear guidance for commissioning research coherent with hunger-fighting aspirations and food systems.
Recommendation
The Government needs to ensure that research is coherent with its aspirations to fighting hunger and considers the inter-related factors facing nutrition and food systems. As part of the Zero Hunger delivery framework there should be clear guidance on this to those commissioning research. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees research must address interconnected factors impacting nutrition and food systems, highlighting its existing food systems approach and the Gilbert Initiative. The response does not, however, explicitly commit to providing new clear guidance for those commissioning research.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially Agree. We agree that research must address the interconnected factors impacting nutrition and food systems in order to effectively fight hunger. That is why, the FCDO has adopted a food systems approach to tackling hunger and malnutrition in its research programming. Through the Gilbert Initiative, FCDO, DEFRA and DSIT (via UKRI) commit to transforming climate-resilient food systems through research and innovation to support a food system that by 2030: feeds nine billion people with nutritious, safe foods; uses environmental resources sustainably; enhances resilience and adaptation to climate change; and generates inclusive growth and jobs. The Initiative coordinates ODA R&D (and leverages non-ODA R&D) investments in evidence generation, technology development and delivery across five key areas: climate resilient agriculture technologies, pathways to scale, tackling global pest and disease threats, sustainable and healthy diets, and resilience in fragile and conflict affected states. It also promotes the partnerships and skills needed to deliver SDG2, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, and SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as well as other linked SDGs. This approach integrates cross cutting themes such as climate, gender and resilience, and we continue to work across HMG to share lessons and build programming on nutrition and food systems.