Mondelez International (formerly known as Kraft Foods) has highlighted the need for the food industry to do more with less at the ongoing food and hospitality show Gulfood 2013 in Dubai.

Speaking at the Global Food Leaders’ Summit at Gulfood at Dubai World Trade Centre this week, Vishal Tikku, area manager Middle East & Africa for Mondelez International, discussed the importance for food organisations to ensure in sustenance in products and invest in commodities to fight shortages both now and in the near future.

He highlighted some of the key ingredients shaping the future of the food industry and the role food companies can play to ensure sustainability and food security.

With the UAE importing 90 per cent of its food and its position at the centre of a $9.4 billion market serving the GCC and Africa, food security is a challenging issue.

“Globally, resources are being consumed more quickly than they can be replenished. Nearly 40 per cent of the earth’s land is already used for farming and approximately 70 per cent of available freshwater is used in agriculture, but by 2050 it is estimated that the world will need 70 per cent to 100 per cent more food,” said Tikku.

“This will be a challenge to achieve as the majority of farmers are smallholders with less than 1 hectare each, crop yields are declining due to a lack of technical knowledge and financing, and climate change will increase pressure on productivity through greater frequency of extreme weather.

“All of us in the cocoa sector are increasingly aware of the challenges we face in supplying this demand as increased output will have to come from improved yields rather than increased area. Cocoa is the main ingredient of chocolate and, as the world’s largest producer of chocolate, we have a duty to make it sustainable. We are transforming and securing our agricultural supply through partnership programmes in key commodities.

“Our Cocoa Life programme empowers cocoa farmers, their families and communities to build better lives for themselves while making sure to maintain an adequate supply of cocoa for generations to come. Protecting subsistence farming and inspiring new generations of farming is key to ensure sustainability and instigate change in the long term.

“Our consumers play a role as well, so we are introducing products made with sustainably sourced ingredients or made with less packaging. In fact, more investment from both the public and private sector will help break the cycle of hunger and poverty in rural communities in the developing world. By addressing this broader vision we believe it is possible to achieve sustained changes in productivity, but this cannot be achieved without the co-operation, transparency and active participation of all stakeholders.”

Cocoa Life is based on Mondelez International’s successful Cadbury Cocoa partnerships around the world including India, where it has been working directly with cocoa farmers for 50 years. – TradeArabia News Service