Latest news with #foodproduction
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
How to reduce your food footprint: if it's better for you, it's better for the planet
Food production globally accounts for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, with the average Australian diet contributing more than 3kg of Co2 per person per day. And what's worse, we waste about 35% of the food we bring home. If we keep this up, it has been estimated the already unsustainable environmental cost of the food system will nearly double by 2050. Calculating the precise impact your individual food choices have on the environment isn't simple, but research suggests the actions we can take to bring that impact down are – and they aren't just better for the environment, they're better for our health too. A 2021 CSIRO study found that sticking to its healthy eating guidelines while choosing lower-carbon options could reduce the climate impact of our diets by as much as 42%. Another released last year, which conducted life-cycle assessments on more than 60 thousand products available on Australian shelves, found that switching to lower-emission options within similar categories could bring our food footprints down by an impressive 71%. Prof Simone Pettigrew, program director of food policy at the George Institute for Global Health and an author of the latter study, says: 'There's four biggies that sit at the top of the list for being the least sustainable: traditional red meats, dairy products, and then to a lesser extent – but perhaps more upsettingly – coffee and chocolate.' Consumers, she says, can make a 'massive, massive difference' to the sustainability of their entire food basket simply by limiting or switching out those items. In practical terms this might look like choosing poultry, seafood or kangaroo instead of lamb or pork, switching dairy milk for plant-based options, drinking just one less coffee a day or choosing sweet treats with low or no cocoa content. Even if we can do that some of the time, the difference can be significant, according to Pettigrew. When it comes to carbohydrates and fresh produce, Pettigrew says a solid rule of thumb is the better it is for you, the better it probably is for the planet. Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables to snack on rather than processed biscuits or bars, for example, will dramatically reduce your diet's carbon footprint. And while there are production and processing differences between more nutritionally similar items such as pasta and rice, Pettigrew says overall they are largely comparable in terms of sustainability. 'Anything that is plant based is going to be much less environmentally costly than anything animal based. 'We understand it's hard for consumers to make really big changes in one hit, but it is relatively easy to make small incremental ones.' If you already eat a healthy, plant-rich diet, limit your ultra-processed food intake and are keeping your coffee and chocolate habits in check, you've made a great start. Beyond that, Dr Lilly Lim-Camacho, principal research scientist with CSIRO Agriculture and Food, says one of the most helpful things consumers can do to maximise these gains is to 'shop with intent'. Food waste accounts for more than a third of all household waste, so only purchasing what you need combined with small efforts such as 'learning how to use up leftover veggies in the crisper' and resisting impulse buying will not only make your diet significantly more sustainable, but healthier and more economical too. She urges people to also keep in mind that wasting unhealthy food is doubly bad. 'Not only do discretionary foods create more emissions, our bodies don't actually need them.' Those emissions are essentially being wasted regardless of whether you consume the food or not, she suggests. If you'd like to take things a step further, apps such as ecoSwitch, developed by the George Institute, get into the nitty gritty of comparing the carbon ratings associated with more specific items. This can help if you want to know, for example, which brand of tinned tomatoes or tofu is best. The George Institute study found that opting for near identical but lower-impact options alone could bring your food footprint down by 26%. Neither Pettigrew nor Lim-Camacho want to take the fun out of food or expect consumers to forgo the odd burger or chocolate ice-cream, but agree that by prioritising our health we will naturally make better choices for the planet, and vice versa. 'It's a win-win,' says Pettigrew. 'There is always going to be an environmental cost to our food. But it's important for people to know that you actually can make an enormous difference if you want to.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A Jeff Bezos Investment Just Became a Bargain, but Is It Worth It?
Farming is a critical industry all around the world. After all, no farms mean no food. As the world's population inevitably grows, there's a need to get inventive about how to grow and produce food, and some investors are looking to revolutionize the vertical farming industry. Read Next: For You: One company, Plenty Unlimited Inc., is leading the charge in not only this area but also in innovative plant sciences. Its mission is to revolutionize farming by focusing on growing produce vertically in controlled, indoor farming environments. It aims to use less land and water to grow food while also mitigating the impacts of climate-related extreme weather events on crops. The ideal end result is fresh, pesticide-free food that's healthier for consumers and the planet. Plenty has garnered a lot of support and raised significant funding from many financial backers, but perhaps none more notorious than Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Plenty has already been around for more than a decade, but it has had difficult times recently. Here are some key takeaways: Plenty Unlimited is a private company, so its stock is not publicly traded and does not have a ticker symbol. It is not possible to buy or sell shares of Plenty stock on major stock exchanges like the NYSE or Nasdaq. However, accredited investors can potentially buy pre-IPO shares through platforms like EquityZen. Plenty Unlimited has raised approximately $941 million in funding from investors like Innovation Endeavors, DCVC, Western Technology Investment and SoftBank It currently has a $1.43 billion valuation. Plenty filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 23, 2025, but they successfully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 29, 2025, after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas confirmed their reorganization plan. Current inventors may be at risk of losing significant capital, as the future of the company is unclear and there's really no telling whether Plenty will perform well in the future. Bezos, with his current estimated net worth of $233 billion, is not only the fourth richest man in the world, but he's also a large financial backer in this new-age farming trend. Learn More: Nothing is certain in the investing world, but you should probably hold off on investing in Plenty — at least for now. Unlike big technology companies or pharmaceutical companies, or you know, one of the richest men in the world, you don't have the extra money to invest in any new whim. However, it's crucial to always do your research and due diligence before investing in any company and follow your gut. Additionally, it's important to evaluate your risk tolerance. Early investing in startups may come with more inherent risks versus investing in companies with decades long track records of consistent growth and market performance. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 7 Luxury SUVs That Will Become Affordable in 2025 Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on A Jeff Bezos Investment Just Became a Bargain, but Is It Worth It?
Zawya
14-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
Turning the Tide: Democratic Republic of Congo's Emergency Food Production Project Sows Resilience, Plants Hope
In the early morning, the fields stretch as far as the eye can see, bathed in the soft light of the rising sun. In Kwilu, Kasai, and Tshopo provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rural communities are reclaiming their land with renewed energy. Here, every furrow in the earth tells a story of resilience and hope. These fertile lands have long been trapped in a vicious circle of poor-quality seed, limited access to fertilizers, outdated farming techniques, low yields, and unstable incomes. A tradition of subsistence farming has confined families to day-to-day survival, leaving them vulnerable to climate shocks and food crises. That has changed thanks to the deployment of the Emergency Food Production Project ( (PURPA in the French acronym), which is being implemented by the African Development Bank ( as part of the African Emergency Food Production Facility ( The project aims to restore food production in the most vulnerable rural areas of the DRC as rapidly as possible. Large-scale distribution of seeds and other agricultural inputs lies at the heart of the project and has delivered a decisive impact: More than 325 tonnes of rice, 388 tonnes of maize and 1.4 million linear metres of cassava cuttings have been distributed, far exceeding initial forecasts. 49,749 farming households have been reached, primarily women, who are often on the front line in the battle to feed their families. Villagers in the communities covered by the project are enthusiastic, reflecting a rebirth of hope as the fields come back to life. The seed is in the ground and local people believe the harvest should be sufficient to meet their families' needs while leaving a surplus for sale on the market. Beyond the distributions, PURPA has strengthened the capacities of agricultural research stations such as the one at Kiyaka in Kwilu province in the centre of the country, enabling local production of improved maize and rice seeds. Over 100 tonnes of maize seed, 33 tonnes of rice and 2.55 million cassava cuttings have been produced. The distribution of 334 tonnes of fertilizer also offers a guarantee of suitable and affordable seeds for future seasons. Targeted training programmes have also been launched. The Project financed the training of 300 managers and administrative staff, 30% of whom were women, using the "farmers' field-school" approach with a focus on seed production and technical itineraries. These initiatives not only improve yields but also strengthen the capacities of women and agricultural cooperatives. A final push to distribute fertilizer and seed produced by the research centres is scheduled for the coming months. Multiple outcomes are expected: increased farm incomes through the sale of surpluses; the creation of new economic opportunities, particularly for women and young people; significant improvement in food security with a reduction of lean periods; and the development of more autonomous agriculture that is less dependent on external aid. Local authorities in several provinces are also observing a reduction in rural exodus as young people return to their towns to participate in this new-style agriculture, attracted by more promising prospects. For these communities, the Emergency Food Production Project is not just a response to the global food crisis. It is a veritable "school of resilience" where solidarity, local know-how and agricultural innovation support and encourage each other. In these regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, farming is no longer just about survival. In these newly seeded fields, it has become a means of development, investment, and heritage. Much remains to be done, but the transformation is underway. In these once fragile rural lands, a conviction is taking root: change, from now on, comes from here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘Is that what net zero should be about?' Farmland falls to solar gold-rush
When tenant farmer Nicholas Waller-Barrett decided to explore ways to boost his small potato farm and chip factory in Norfolk, solar panels were an obvious answer. A few of the energy-generating panels could, he thought, help provide more power to the farm, which employs nine people from the surrounding villages. But be careful what you wish for. Waller-Barrett's farm has been targeted for a massive solar plant, which will be called Glebe Farm, and now his landlord plans to take his land away, replacing potato crops with thousands of giant glass panels. The decision, backed by edicts from Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, favouring solar farms over food production on UK farmland, means his flourishing food business will shrink – and staff will be out of work. Meanwhile the distant landlord will be quids in, potentially quadrupling their rent with virtually no effort. 'It's like a bombshell hit us,' says Waller-Barrett, whose family has farmed the land at Horsford, north of Norwich, for seven decades. Waller-Barrett is not alone. All over the UK tenant farmers are being thrown off their land – much of it prime farmland – to make way for solar panels. Many other farmers who own their land are selling or leasing it to solar companies – all meaning it will no longer produce food. The reason is simple: farmland typically generates profits of a few hundred pounds per acre when cropped but three to four times that amount when under solar panels. Farming sacrificed for subsidies That solar income is generated by government subsidies which in turn are loaded on to consumer electricity bills – so the income is guaranteed, often for decades. It means money taken from consumers is funding the industrialisation of thousands of acres of prime farmland, converting it from producing food to generating energy. Waller-Barrett took the land over from his father and, at age 65, wants to hand it to his son, Carl, who has used the 235-acre farm's potato crop to establish a flourishing new business selling pre-prepared chips and roast spuds to restaurants. Now all that is in danger because of the rush for solar power. 'We don't own the land and our landlady wants to take away 88 acres for solar,' he says. 'We'd have to shrink the business which is terrible for the local economy, our suppliers, customers and staff.' All over Britain similar trends are at play. According to CPRE, formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England, 59pc of England's largest solar farms are on once-productive farmland, while a third of the area they cover is classified as 'best and most versatile' (BMV) agricultural land, ideal for growing crops. CPRE's analysis shows that 827 hectares of this prized land has been covered by solar development – the equivalent to around 1,300 football pitches. Three solar farms, Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire, Goosehall in East Cambridgeshire and Black Peak Farm in South Cambridgeshire, are located entirely on BMV farmland. They will provide energy for London, Birmingham and other major cities but will no longer feed people, campaigners say. Once covered in solar panels, even the best land effectively becomes sterile, apart from occasional sheep-grazing to keep the grass down. Roger Mortlock, CPRE chief executive, wants the Government to stop targeting farmland and instead ensure 60pc of solar panels are put on buildings or brownfield sites. 'We support net zero and renewable energy but we also want a thriving countryside and productive agriculture,' he says. Net zero first Waller-Barrett's potato fields are about to be turned into a solar farm by Pathfinder Clean Energy, a private company. A Planning Inspectorate decision, which approved the decision, makes clear how planners are putting Miliband's net zero targets before food production. Despite finding that 'the site has significant arable value' and that 'it would no longer be capable of providing such a function' if solar panels were installed, the planning inspector said these considerations were outweighed by the need to reach net zero and address the Government's 'climate emergency'. It said: 'The National Planning Policy Framework explains that the planning system should support the transition to a low-carbon future and should recognise that even small-scale projects can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 'The proposed development would make a valuable contribution to achieving these local and national goals.' Mark Kelly, of Pathfinder Clean Energy, says: 'The owners of Glebe Farm are themselves farmers, and their business – like many others – is under pressure from policy and environmental shifts affecting UK agriculture. 'The move to diversify through solar reflects a broader need for rural enterprises to remain viable amid shocks from policy changes, market pressures and increasingly unpredictable weather. The solar project also enables reinvestment into the local area, including potential new employment and community benefit initiatives.' Such official rulings, ensuring net zero targets are placed above food production, have sparked a gold-rush for solar developments across the UK, but especially in eastern counties, also including Suffolk, Essex and Lincolnshire, as well as in the South West. The scale of the impact could be huge. Miliband's plans include expanding solar capacity from about 20 gigawatts (GW) now to nearly 50GW by 2030 – and 70GW by 2035. That means covering thousands more acres of farmland in solar panels, mostly concentrated in sunnier southern England, accompanied by lost food production. George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, points to Sir Keir Starmer's pre-election pledge to protect farmers from rampant solar developments – a promise which, according to Dunn, has not been kept. 'The drive towards net zero cannot be the only consideration when deliberating over solar farms,' he says. There is, however, little balance in the areas targeted by developers. SolarQ, founded by David Rogers, a retired Oxford University ecology professor, says solar is clustering in England's South West and in eastern shires like Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire – and especially around substations. In Newark, for example – the constituency of Conservative MP Robert Jenrick – 9pc of the land is being covered in solar while Sleaford and North Hykeham, the constituency of Caroline Johnson, has lost about 7pc. In Selby, home to Labour MP Keir Mather, it's 5pc. A letter to the Prime Minister last week signed by 30 MPs and peers, and co-ordinated by SolarQ, warned that solar installations were 'being disproportionately sited on better quality farmland'. 'Planning free-for-all' Such warnings may be too late for the Sturdy family who have been working as tenants at Eden Farm in Old Malton, North Yorkshire, since 1954 – paying rent to a landowning trust. But the trust wants to take away half their land and turn it into a solar farm – a trend Emma Sturdy, who lives on the farm, refers to as the 'solar clearances'. 'The absence of a clear government strategy has created a planning free for all, and developers are rushing to cash in,' she says. Lincolnshire's farmland is among the most heavily targeted – despite being some of the UK's most productive. The county produces 30pc of our vegetables, 18pc of our poultry and 12pc of England's total agricultural output. Yet in Lincolnshire too, the planning inspectorate has consistently ranked food production below net zero in importance –approving over a dozen massive solar farms that will cover swathes of productive farm land in solar panels. One of them, the Cottam Solar Farm in West Lindsey, will cover around 1,300 hectares making it one of the UK's largest. Richard Tice, Reform's energy spokesman, who represents Skegness in Lincolnshire, says voters are becoming furious – making solar a key reason why Reform won the county elections and mayoralty in May. 'Solar farms blight the landscape,' he says. Solar Energy UK, the industry trade body, says only a tiny proportion of UK farmland was being converted to solar with minimal impacts on food production. Back in Norfolk, Waller-Barrett is worried about the jobs of his family and employees. 'We are going to lose half our output, most of our profits and potentially jobs. Is that what net zero should be about?'
Argaam
10-07-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Almunajem shareholders to vote on adding new activities July 31
Almunajem Foods Co. set July 31, to convene its extraordinary general meeting (EGM), the company said in a statement on Tadawul. Shareholders will vote on amending Article 3 of the company's bylaws related to its business objectives. Almunajem explained that the proposed amendment involves expanding its business activities to include the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, preparation of ready-made meals and dishes, production of dairy products, manufacture of other food products, and the production of vegetable and animal oils and fats. The company also plans to add agriculture, forestry, and fishing, as well as information and communications, to its list of business objectives.
