TechnoServe Agri-Food Systems Lead: World Food Day is a Call for Collective Action

The nonprofit’s global director for agri-food systems transformation highlighted the critical role of collaboration

Arlington, VA (October 16th) – TechnoServe Global Director for Agri-Food Systems Transformation Dominic Schofield issued the following statement today, marking World Food Day:

“Every year, World Food Day reminds us of the unfinished work to make our agri-food systems truly fair, sustainable, and healthy. According to the most recent estimate, for example, 2.6 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet.

However, this year’s World Food Day theme–Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future–points us to one of the most powerful tools for catalyzing lasting and transformative change in our agri-food systems: collaboration.

In TechnoServe’s work, we have seen that unexpected partnerships and collective action are making a real difference. Last month, dozens of Kenyan food companies–usually competitors–came together to celebrate success in food fortification and encourage one another to remain committed to nutrition. Across Africa and Asia, impact investors and development finance institutions are working with food and agricultural companies to pilot and scale new business models that benefit smallholder farmers. In Latin America, tech companies, corporations, and nonprofits are working together to ensure small-scale farmers aren’t left behind in the digital revolution. 

These are just a few examples of what can happen when we work hand-in-hand to transform our agri-food systems. This World Food Day, let’s re-double those efforts.”

About TechnoServe

Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in around 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.

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