Are our food supply chains diverse enough?
Our food systems are under stress: agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture are being tested by increasing temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and floods. Even in the occurrence of a best-case scenario, crop yields of our current staple foods are expected to suffer considerable losses. [1]?
Key learnings from this article:
The loss of diversity threatens our food systems
Nature follows a simple rule to adapt to different climates: genetic diversity. So the solution is actually in front of our eyes. Still, our current development shows an opposite trend, because many aspects of our lives are becoming more and more homogeneous. We can shop in identical stores, wear the same brands and buy similar fashions on different continents. The same is true for our diet. In a short time, it has become possible for us to eat the same foods almost everywhere. You might think that as the size and selection of markets grow, so does the variety of food. But the opposite is true. If we take a closer look, we see that the same food brands and products can be found in the markets of Japan, Germany, and the U.S. and that the ingredients of most dishes also consist of the same components.
For example, half of all cheeses are currently produced with bacteria or enzymes from a single company, one in four beers drunk worldwide comes from a single brewery; and in the U.S. and China, most of the world's pork production is based on the genetics of one breed of pig. This is a case that most of us are confronted with on a daily basis: Although there are over 1500 different varieties of banana, world trade is dominated by one variety, the Cavendish. [2]
A glance at the figures makes the dramatic development clear: throughout history, man has cultivated at least 6,000 plant species, but today only nine species are mostly grown worldwide, of which rice, wheat, and corn provide 50% of all calories. Potatoes, barley, soybeans, sugar, and palm oil account for another 25% of our calorie intake. [3] Seed market trends show similar results: Three companies—Monsanto, DuPont (Pioneer) and Syngenta—cover 53% of the global market. Monsanto alone is considered the largest seed producer, with a market share of 90% in sugar beets, 57% in corn, and 55% in soybeans. [4]
Not only is the extinction of wild animal and plant species an alarming trend, but livestock breeds are also affected, with an extinction rate of 150 of these breeds between 2000 and 2018. [5] Only three species (cattle, pigs, and chickens) account for the majority of total people's meat products. [6] This global trend of standardization must be recognized as a product of industrialization, with which regional differences and uniqueness have been lost to some extent.
Diversity in supply chains is fundamental for our food production
The genetic diversity of animals, fish, and crops is fundamental to our food production, our security of supply chains, and yields - while a loss of this diversity threatens global food security. This is because it makes the global population increasingly dependent on just a few varieties. Furthermore, the cultivation of little diverse cultures increases the risk of crop failure, as they are more susceptible to pests and less resistant to climate change. Thus, if such climate risks materialize, a significant part of our food system can be destabilized or even fail completely in a short period of time. It is important to establish food systems in the future that are based on a variety of species, among them seeds, soils, animals, and plants, that are adapted to local conditions and knowledge, including climatic differences and extremes.
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Therefore, agricultural efforts increase to grow a wide variety of crops through regenerative systems: some nutrient-rich and fast-growing crops, others better adapted to drought or high temperatures, and still, others that require less water to meet the challenges of climate change and growing populations. Enough scope exists, e.g., of about 40000 identified plant species, 30000 are edible [7]. Diverse crops are more resilient and healthier, prevent pest infestations and ensure crop security. With the help of seed banks, there are further efforts by international organizations and scientists to secure crop diversity.
Regenerative Agriculture can shift our system towards more diversity
Biological diversity includes not only a variety of crops but also the variety of soils that support plant growth and the diversity of pollinators that act as natural enemies to prevent pest outbreaks. Did you know that there are more living organisms in a tablespoon of soil than there are people on earth? [8]
Healthy soils are essential both for the growth of our food and for storing CO? from the atmosphere. This is where regenerative agriculture comes in: Appropriate methods such as intercropping and undersowing, diverse crop rotations, and year-round ground cover can build up humus, the top layer of soil. Due to its nutrient-rich content, this layer is not only a habitat for numerous species but is essential for water storage and carbon sequestration of the soil. This promotes plant growth and is at the same time an active contributor to CO? reduction in the atmosphere. For example, the use of legumes such as lentils or lupine can restore soil vitality, which in turn reduces the need for fertilizers and helps plants grow better.?
We can state that biodiversity, with all its facets, must become part of our thinking about nature, human well-being, health, and the core of corporate actions. The good news is that food companies can support the regenerative agriculture path now and reap benefits at the same time: By transforming their own supply chains in a regenerative way, they can increase their own resilience and thus secure long-term profits. At the same time, the conversion has the tremendous opportunity to sequester CO2 in the soil and achieve Net Zero goals within the company.
Klim helps companies to diversify their supply chains
Want to learn more or get started right away? Our interdisciplinary team of agricultural experts, product developers, and scientists is here to help. We want to support farmers and food companies in the regenerative transition of supply chains. Step by step, we are bringing diversity to agriculture and your businesses. To support this process we have developed a digital companion that farmers can use to document their methods, exchange ideas, and see successes from other farmers. In turn, food enterprises can access CO2 savings and implementations.?
For further information, please contact our partner manager, Samuel.