Target 2.5

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 2: END HUNGER, ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVED NUTRITION AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

SDG 2 is commonly known as the goal for ‘zero hunger.’ But there’s much more to it than feeding the world: It identifies a range of issues affecting our food systems, with specific targets to address them.

While almost all of the targets have deadlines of 2030, one has a deadline of 2020: Target 2.5. Target 2.5 calls for the international community to safeguard and share the “genetic diversity” of both crops and livestock.

But what does it mean? Genetic diversity is the foundation of our food supply. Farmers and scientists need it in order to develop new crops and livestock breeds that can tolerate heat, drought and disease. They need it to sustainably produce enough nutritious food for a growing world population in spite of challenges like climate change. Genetic diversity is what makes agriculture better, stronger, and more resilient; it enables us to not just survive, but thrive.

Food Forever was established to raise awareness of the work going on around the world to support Target 2.5 and make sure the message about the importance of conserving genetic diversity reaches as many people possible, so that come 2020, the prospect of ending hunger isn’t just a goal – but a reality.

Target 2.5:

“By 2020 maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed”