Sustainable Development Goals SDGS

SDGs – PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a historic opportunity for the dairy sector to engage more deeply as a strong and positive influence on society.

HOW DAIRY MAPS TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

In September 2015, world leaders adopted Agenda 2030 and committed to 17 SDGs to eradicate poverty, fuel inclusive growth, and protect the environment. For the dairy sector specifically, the SDGs provide a new and exciting opportunity to demonstrate how it will be a leader in delivering the goals and how it is uniquely positioned to do so.

There is a real opportunity to strengthen the understanding of the role which dairy farmers play in sustainable agricultural production and to show how women, who make up a significant portion of the world’s livestock keepers, play critical roles in these food systems.

The SDGs provide a global stage to encourage the appropriate intake of nutrient-rich dairy foods and to present evidenced-based research on how dairy products help specific populations such as children, young women, and the elderly.

With regard to environmental impacts, the SDGs create a platform where the dairy sector can highlight its improvements in sustainability, its efforts in minimising environmental degradation and its endeavours in the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The dairy sector has the tremendous ability to bring the SDGs to life. Its engagement around the SDGs is a pathway to fostering partnerships, sustaining the benefits of agriculture, and strengthening the contribution of the sector to sustainable food security and nutrition.

Dairy farmers are stewards of the land and soil – one of the most valued assets of a farm.

Protecting natural resources allows farmers to not only grow their businesses but also ensures the land’s preservation for future generations.

The dairy sector is continually finding new ways to increase energy efficiencies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce water, save energy, and lower operating costs for dairy farms. By using human food waste and animal manure as an effective fertilizer, along with establishing feed efficiencies, farmers are ensuring an improvement in yield and decreasing their environmental footprint.

Dairy farmers use manure not only for fertilizing, but also to generate biogas for clean energy. This is especially beneficial in rural areas, where there is no access to other energy sources. It also has a positive impact in areas where deforestation and pollutions from cooking and heating are ruining the environment.

The dairy sector invests in programs that provide knowledge and skills. Sustainable technology is introduced to farmers and many of these improvements also create employment opportunities for youth and women.