The Second G20 Meeting of Agriculture Deputies began today at San Martín Palace, Buenos Aires, the ceremonial seat of Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Participants are working on policies to satisfy the growing demand for sustainable food production.

Over the two-day meeting, officials from 24 countries and 11 international organizations will lay the groundwork for the agenda of the G20 Meeting of Agriculture Ministers that starts tomorrow afternoon and ends Saturday afternoon at the same venue. The deputies meeting agenda includes discussions on the comprehensive and responsible use of soil, food waste and loss, and the role of technology in farming. All are crucial to building a sustainable food future, one of the three priorities of the Argentine G20 presidency in 2018.

As regards soil, reversing crop loss - which today amounts to 10 million hectares per year - is high on the agenda. Deputies will also examine all stages in the food value chain, from local production, harvesting, storage, transport and the manufacturing process, to distribution and consumer habits, to consider how to better manage food waste and loss. The role of new technologies applied to agriculture will also be addressed, a vital factor for development and innovation.

G20 countries are key players in the global food system. They account for 60% of the world’s agricultural land and almost 80% of trade in foodstuffs and agricultural products.

Upcoming agenda

On Friday at 2.30 pm local time, the G20 Meeting of Agriculture Ministers will begin with the traditional family photo, followed by working sessions. In the evening, the ministers will visit the 132nd Rural Expo, one of the most traditional and iconic annual trade fairs in Argentina, where they will learn about the latest breakthroughs in cattle genetics, agriculture and technology. On Saturday morning, they will attend the inauguration of the cattle demonstration.

On Saturday at 2.30 pm, once the closed-door sessions have finished, the G20 troika – which is made up of the country currently holding the G20 presidency (Argentina), the country that held the presidency last year (Germany) and the country holding the presidency next year (Japan) – will give a press conference. Ministers will also issue an official communiqué.