Regional launch of the Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: “One Country One Priority Product”

10:00 – 11:30 CEST

Agricultural production systems encompassing crop, forestry, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries production, play an essential role in meeting the increasing demands for food, feed, fibre and fuel. By 2050, food production will have to increase by over 50 percent to meet the projected demands from a growing population, diet shifts, and an increasing demand for non-food agricultural products. It is a global challenge to achieve an environmentally sustainable increase of production and access to affordable healthy diets, while protecting and enhancing the livelihoods of the world’s small-scale agricultural producers and other agrifood system actors.

In this context, FAO has initiated a Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country One Priority Product (OCOP), focused on the agricultural products that have unique qualities and special characteristics. A green development of special agricultural products aligns closely with FAO’s mandate and comparative advantage, by promoting socially inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable food systems.

Focusing on smallholders and family farms, “One Country One Priority Product” promotes sustainable value-chain approaches for achieving efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to make a substantial contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The regional launch for Europe and Central Asia will:

• Present key stakeholders the rationale, key elements, and architecture of the “One Country One Priority Product” in the region; and
• Explore opportunities that the initiative may offer to countries in the region.

FAO presentations

Geographical indications for improved farm income and sustainable development of rural territories
Dmitry Zvyagintsev, Policy Officer, Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia,

Key Components on Global Action Plan on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products "One Country One Priority Product (OCOP)"
Jingyuan Xia, Director, FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP)

The added value of Nature-based Solutions in greening agrifood value chains
Michelangelo Ferri, Expert on GIAHS and NbS, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia