The Grains Trade Convention seeks to further international cooperation, to promote the expansion of international trade and to contribute to market transparency in order to enhance world food security. In line with the objectives of the GTC, IGC webinars are topical in nature and provide a unique opportunity for a diverse range of international experts to exchange views and provide scenarios on grains, oilseeds, rice and pulses market developments.
Background information 
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IGC's 2022 Grains conference included two sessions on climate change and sustainability in the grains value chain. The expert panellists agreed that sustainability within the grains value chain should be tackled in an holistic approach due to the diverse situations, including pedoclimatic factors and wide range of operators in the grains value chain.
In 2022, IGC can identify several long-term approaches on sustainability from the supply side as well as in the trading sector. Some of the actors refer to 'sustainable farming' or, in a broader term, 'sustainable agriculture', using farming practices considering ecological cycles. In simpler terms, sustainable farming is farming ecologically by promoting methods and practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and protect public health.
Regenerative agriculture is also broadly referring to sustainable farming practices in order to improve the conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle enhancing ecosystem service, supporting bio sequestration, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.
The expert panellists also discussed the need to keep trade rules compatible with the development of sustainable schemes in order to maintain a fluid global market as well as the ability of the trading sector to respond to various needs. Several trading houses have integrated the management of different sustainable schemes to respond to demand (food/feed industry). The development of such schemes and their compatibility was one of the main questions discussed by the experts. A state of play of the various schemes in place would help to improve the current situation and explore the possibility of starting to track grains under these schemes.
Objective:
In the first webinar experts will discuss supply side sustainability strategies. How sustainable farming is understood by the inputs industry and farmers. Are there synergies between these two players to scale up the projects locally? Examples from certification bodies would provide an understanding on how to measure the components for sustainable farming practices.
The second webinar will provide an opportunity to get a state of play by region of their sustainability schemes and the tools available to track these schemes.
Audience:
IGC members and non-members; private sector; research institutes and press.
Webinar one: 15th December 2022 at 2.00 to 4.00 pm (UK time)
2.00 – 2.15: Introduction by Arnaud PETIT, IGC Executive Director
2.15 – 3.00 : Definition of sustainable farming and strategies
- Bayer
- World Farmers Organisation
3.00 – 4.00: Examples from certification bodies on measuring the components for sustainable supply
- Control Union
- SGS (TBC)
4.00 – 4.15 Conclusions
Webinar two: 5th January 2023 at 2.00 to 4.00 pm (UK time)
2.00 – 2.15: Introduction by Arnaud PETIT, IGC Executive Director
2.15 – 3.00 Presentation by IGTC members:
- North America
- South America
- EU
3.00 – 4.00
- East Africa
- China
- Australia
To register for the webinar visit the website, HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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