Day 8: The SDGs consultations and the Goal 2 «Zero hunger»

Goal 2 «End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture» was discussed on today’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consultation, headed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Industry of Turkmenistan. The goal includes the following background,

«Rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity over the past two decades has seen the proportion of undernourished people drop by almost half.

Many developing countries that used to suffer from famine and hunger can now meet the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable. Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have all made huge progress in eradicating extreme hunger.

These are all significant achievements in reaching the targets set out by the first Millennium Development Goals.

Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries. 795 million people are estimated to be chronically undernourished as of 2014, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and loss of biodiversity. Over 90 million children under the age of five are dangerously underweight. And one person in every four still goes hungry in Africa.» [1]

Representatives of about 13 national ministries and agencies discussed the proposed eight targets to the Goal 2 and their relevance to Turkmenistan. Participants of today's consultation agreed to adopt five global targets as is, with one adjusted target. Total number of accepted targets is six. Seven of 14 indicators accepted without modification. Three were adjusted to the local context and one national indicator was developed.

The discussion covered the many dimensions of hunger and the need for improvements in the agriculture sector. While the country has basis for development of plant banks, it also needs qualified plant breeders to have genetic diversity of seeds and cultivated plants.