06 Foreign Agro
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Golden Agri-Resources ( GAR ) partners with WBCSD
THE World Business Council for Sustainable Development ( WBCSD ) announced its membership with Golden Agri-Resources ( GAR ), a prominent global agribusiness and palm oil producer in Singapore . This marks a significant step towards accelerating efforts for a more sustainable world .
With GAR joining focus with a global network of 200 businesses committed to sustainability , the focus is on enhancing collaboration in the agriculture and food sector and supporting equitable livelihoods .
The Agriculture & Food Pathway within WBCSD will benefit from GAR ’ s contribution across the sector and support for the Equitable Livelihoods workstream . GAR ’ s primary objective under this workstream is to foster thriving and resilient agriculture and food systems that prioritise the livelihoods of all workers , with a central focus on farmers ’ prosperity .
Recognising the substantial impact of food systems on greenhouse gas emissions , which account for approximately one-third of emissions from human activity , there is a growing global consensus on the critical role of agriculture and food sectors in climate solutions .
Recent initiatives highlight this consensus , such as the COP28 declara-
WBCSD President & CEO , Peter Bakker
GAR Executive Director , Jesslyne Widjaja
tion on sustainable agriculture and the FAO ’ s global roadmap for agrifood systems .
WBCSD President & CEO Peter Bakker , commenting on GAR ’ s decision to join the organisation said :” We are delighted to welcome GAR to our global network and celebrate its commitment to fostering positive change in agriculture and food systems .
“ This collaboration underscores our belief that food systems can be
a vital part of the solution to the climate and nature crisis , creating value for all stakeholders – from businesses to farmers to financiers and local governments .”
One of the key areas of emphasis will be Scope 3 data accounting and metrics to monitor and assess the impact of agricultural practices on climate targets , with the overarching objective of safeguarding , restoring , and enhancing nature ’ s ability to provide ecosystem services .
Furthermore , GAR ’ s membership in the Council aims to advance progress on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights .
By leveraging collective expertise and resources , GAR and WBCSD seek to drive positive change while integrating a Southeast Asian business perspective to address global priorities .
“ In WBCSD , we join a global network of companies aiming to accelerate and scale sustainable practices in the areas that matter most for business , the environment , and the societies where we operate ,” said GAR Executive Director Jesslyne Widjaja .
“ GAR believes in the power of partnerships to tackle complex , interconnected issues , and we look forward to learning and growing alongside WBCSD and its members to deliver ambitious , necessary change that will support the transition to a more sustainable world .”
US wheat exports plummet
THE US is facing a significant decline in wheat exports due to drought conditions and heightened competition in the global market . This situation has created challenges for American wheat farmers and exporters , impacting production levels and market demand .
Recent data from the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) reveals a stark reality : wheat exports are expected to hit their lowest levels on record . The USDA has revised its annual wheat export estimates downward by 15 million bushels ( a unit to measure agricultural produce ), now totalling just 710 million bushels . This marks a notable drop and is the lowest export figure seen since the 1971-72 marketing year .
The decline in exports can be attributed to several factors . Years of drought have severely affected the supplies of Hard Red Winter wheat , which is traditionally the largest class of shipments . This has resulted in a shift towards more competitively priced wheat from other countries , leading to cancellations of US sales by China .
Furthermore , the number of wheat farms in the US has plummeted by over 40 per cent since 2002 , with farmers turning to more profitable commodities like soybean and corn . Despite fluctuations in production , wheat exports have remained below 800 million bushels since the 2020-21 marketing year .
Moreover , the global wheat market also witnessed increased production from major exporters such as Russia , Australia , and Argentina , contributing to higher global wheat supplies .
Is python farming the future for food security ?
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IN CAIRNS , Australia , the latest research suggests that pythons could present a promising alternative to traditional livestock in areas facing climate changes , pandemics and agricultural land degradation .
The researchers come from various institutions such as Macquarie University , Oxford University , the University of Adelaide , the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in Hanoi .
They compared reticulated pythons ( Malayopython reticulatus ) and Burmese pythons ( Python bivittatus ) being farmed at commercial python facilities in Thailand and Vietnam . This comparison involved testing the impacts of different feeding routines on the pythons .
Lead researcher and reptile expert Dr Daniel Natusch mentioned : “ In terms of some of the most important sustainability criteria , pythons outperformed all mainstream agricultural species studied to date .”
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Dr Natusch , who also serves as the Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Snake Specialist Group , commented on the faltering of conventional livestock systems driven by energy-intensive endothermic ( warm-blooded ) animals .
“ Acute protein deficiency continues to compromise the health of millions of children , while at the same time demand for high-quality protein among emerging middle-class consumers is soaring — so there is an urgent need to explore alternatives ,” he said .
African-based ecologist Dr Patrick Aust said : “ Considering Africa is currently experiencing the brunt of an unprecedented El Nino-driven drought , where conventional livestock are dropping dead in the fields , the ability to regulate metabolic processes and maintain body condition that reptiles offer during times of famine could be a game changer for livestock production .
“ Some of the pythons in our study stopped eating for four months – 45 per
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Dr . Daniel Natusch
cent of their lives – and lost almost no body condition .
“ Imagine not feeding a chicken for four months ; it would die within four to five days .”
Dr Natusch emphasises that snake farming has expanded significantly over the past two decades due to its competitive agricultural advantages . He also points out that ectotherms ( coldblooded animals ) are up to 90 per cent more energy-efficient than endotherms , which could translate into potential
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Dr . Patrick Aust
sustainable meat production .
“ Global food security is predicted to worsen with climate change , and the agricultural sector will suffer increasing compound effects from infectious diseases and diminishing natural resources .”
While acknowledging the cultural and food security contexts , Dr Natusch advocates for more research into reptile farming ’ s potential , emphasising the need for effective and humane production methods . - @ AGROBiz
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