Are our supply chains diverse enough?
Our food systems are under stress: agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture are all being tested by increasing temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and floods. Even in a best-case scenario, crop yields of our current staple foods are expected to suffer considerable losses. [1]
Key messages
- Loss of agricultural biodiversity such as seeds, crops and livestock breeds threatens agricultural yield security and global food sovereignty
- Agricultural diversity strengthens supply chain resilience and protects against increasing climate risks and extremes
- Regenerative agriculture promotes healthy soils and creates resilient and biodiverse farming and food systems
Loss of diversity threatens our food systems
Nature follows a simple rule to adapt to different climates: Genetic diversity. So the solution is actually obvious. Our current development, on the other hand, shows a contrary 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. One might think that as the size and selection of markets grows, so does the variety of food. But the opposite is true. Because if we take a closer look, we see that we find the same brands and products in the markets of Japan, Germany and the USA, 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. A case that most of us are confronted with on a daily basis: Although there are over 1500 different varieties of bananas, world trade is dominated by one variety, the Cavendish. [2]
A look at the numbers makes the dramatic development clear: Throughout history, man has cultivated at least 6,000 plant species, but today only nine species are mostly cultivated 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 caloric 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 90% market share in sugar beets, 57% corn and 55% soybeans. [4]
Not only is the extinction of wild animal and plant species an alarming trend, but livestock breeds are also affected. Between 2000 and 2018, about 150 livestock breeds became extinct. [5] Only three species (cattle, pigs, and chickens) provide the majority of human meat consumption. [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 essential for our food production
The genetic diversity of animals, fish and crops is fundamental to our food production, supply chain security and yield - while loss of this diversity threatens global food security. This is because the global population is thus increasingly dependent on just a few varieties. Furthermore, the cultivation of less diverse crop varieties 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 create food systems in the future that are based on a diversity of species, including seeds, soils, animals, and plants that are adapted to local conditions and knowledge, including climatic differences and extremes.
There are therefore agricultural efforts to grow a wide variety of crops through regenerative systems: some nutrient-rich and fast-growing plants, 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, healthier, prevent pest infestation 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 toward more diversity
Biodiversity includes not only the use of different crops, but also the diversity of soils that support the growth of plants and the diversity of pollinators that support plant growth and act as natural enemies to prevent the outbreak of pests. 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 storingCO₂ from the atmosphere. This is where regenerative agriculture comes in: Through appropriate methods such as intercropping and undersowing, diverse crop rotations and year-round ground cover, humus, the top layer of the soil, can be built up. Due to its nutrient-rich content, this layer is not only a habitat for numerous species, but also essential for water storage and carbon sequestration in the soil - thus promoting plant growth and contributing toCO₂ reduction in the atmosphere. The use of legumes such as lentils or lupins, for example, can restore soil vitality, which in turn 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 core of corporate actions. The good news is that food companies can support the regenerative agriculture journey 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 enormous opportunity to storeCO₂ in the soil and achieve corporateCO₂ reduction targets.
Klim helps companies achieve more diversity in supply chains
Want to learn more or get started right away? Our interdisciplinary team of agricultural experts, business developers and scientists is here for you. We want to support farmers and food companies in the regenerative transformation of their supply chains. Step by step, we bring diversity into agriculture and into your business. To support this process, we have developed a digital companion that allows farmers to document their practices, share ideas, and see successes from other farmers. In turn, food companies can accessCO₂ savings and implementations.
For more information, feel free to contact us here and request a personal meeting.
Sources:
Get more information on how to use the potential of regenerative agriculture in your business.
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Binding carbon, increasing biodiversity: CO2 certificates from regenerative agriculture
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Are our supply chains diverse enough?
Our food systems are under stress: agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture are all being tested by increasing temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and floods. Even in a best-case scenario, crop yields of our current staple foods are expected to suffer considerable losses. [1]
Key messages
- Loss of agricultural biodiversity such as seeds, crops and livestock breeds threatens agricultural yield security and global food sovereignty
- Agricultural diversity strengthens supply chain resilience and protects against increasing climate risks and extremes
- Regenerative agriculture promotes healthy soils and creates resilient and biodiverse farming and food systems
Loss of diversity threatens our food systems
Nature follows a simple rule to adapt to different climates: Genetic diversity. So the solution is actually obvious. Our current development, on the other hand, shows a contrary 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. One might think that as the size and selection of markets grows, so does the variety of food. But the opposite is true. Because if we take a closer look, we see that we find the same brands and products in the markets of Japan, Germany and the USA, 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. A case that most of us are confronted with on a daily basis: Although there are over 1500 different varieties of bananas, world trade is dominated by one variety, the Cavendish. [2]
A look at the numbers makes the dramatic development clear: Throughout history, man has cultivated at least 6,000 plant species, but today only nine species are mostly cultivated 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 caloric 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 90% market share in sugar beets, 57% corn and 55% soybeans. [4]
Not only is the extinction of wild animal and plant species an alarming trend, but livestock breeds are also affected. Between 2000 and 2018, about 150 livestock breeds became extinct. [5] Only three species (cattle, pigs, and chickens) provide the majority of human meat consumption. [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 essential for our food production
The genetic diversity of animals, fish and crops is fundamental to our food production, supply chain security and yield - while loss of this diversity threatens global food security. This is because the global population is thus increasingly dependent on just a few varieties. Furthermore, the cultivation of less diverse crop varieties 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 create food systems in the future that are based on a diversity of species, including seeds, soils, animals, and plants that are adapted to local conditions and knowledge, including climatic differences and extremes.
There are therefore agricultural efforts to grow a wide variety of crops through regenerative systems: some nutrient-rich and fast-growing plants, 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, healthier, prevent pest infestation 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 toward more diversity
Biodiversity includes not only the use of different crops, but also the diversity of soils that support the growth of plants and the diversity of pollinators that support plant growth and act as natural enemies to prevent the outbreak of pests. 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 storingCO₂ from the atmosphere. This is where regenerative agriculture comes in: Through appropriate methods such as intercropping and undersowing, diverse crop rotations and year-round ground cover, humus, the top layer of the soil, can be built up. Due to its nutrient-rich content, this layer is not only a habitat for numerous species, but also essential for water storage and carbon sequestration in the soil - thus promoting plant growth and contributing toCO₂ reduction in the atmosphere. The use of legumes such as lentils or lupins, for example, can restore soil vitality, which in turn 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 core of corporate actions. The good news is that food companies can support the regenerative agriculture journey 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 enormous opportunity to storeCO₂ in the soil and achieve corporateCO₂ reduction targets.
Klim helps companies achieve more diversity in supply chains
Want to learn more or get started right away? Our interdisciplinary team of agricultural experts, business developers and scientists is here for you. We want to support farmers and food companies in the regenerative transformation of their supply chains. Step by step, we bring diversity into agriculture and into your business. To support this process, we have developed a digital companion that allows farmers to document their practices, share ideas, and see successes from other farmers. In turn, food companies can accessCO₂ savings and implementations.
For more information, feel free to contact us here and request a personal meeting.
Sources:
Similar articles you might like
Binding carbon, increasing biodiversity: CO2 certificates from regenerative agriculture
Biodiversity and climate protection: the importance of co-benefits in climate protection projects
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Binding carbon, increasing biodiversity: CO2 certificates from regenerative agriculture
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