Let us be aware of the path of food from farm to fork – the second day of the Grüne Woche fair in Berlin
20.01.2024
Today, on the second day of the Grüne Woche fair in Berlin, the Polish food stands are visited by crowds of people. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czesław Siekierski visited the Polish stands, promoted Polish food and talked with the Polish exhibitors. Today, the Minister of Agriculture also participated in a ceremony organised on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the presence of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship at the fair.
Minister Siekierski stressed that the long-term presence at the Berlin fair proves that farmers from the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship are good farmers and managers.
– Through the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, I would like to congratulate the region on its long-term presence and activity at the fair in Berlin. Agriculture in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship can be considered a role-model. I would like to thank the Marshal for creating good conditions for the development of agriculture in this region – said the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.
Let us be conscious consumers
– When sitting at the table, we are not always aware of what path food had to cover from farm to fork – starting from the farmer, through the processor, trade intermediary to the consumer – noted the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and informed that a meeting with the participation of more than 70 Ministers of Agriculture from all over the world had been held that day.
– We talked about the global challenges facing agriculture, especially those regarding food and hunger. According to the available data, one in ten people in the world suffers from hunger. At the same time, in the farm to fork food chain about 30% of food produced is wasted – said Minister Czesław Siekierski, referring to his participation in the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin.
Minister Siekierski stressed that these two figures attest to the importance of all participants in the farm to fork food chain.
Position of the farmer in the farm to fork chain
Minister Siekierski stressed that when creating food security, it is important that all participants in this chain share income fairly – farmer, processor and trade intermediary.
– Currently, the farmer is the weakest link in this chain. The farmer has no influence on the prices of inputs and on the selling prices of products to the final consumer – noted the Minister and highlighted that this had to be changed.
Competitiveness of Polish agriculture
– This year sees 20 years of Poland’s presence in the European Union. We feel change in all areas of our lives. Innovation is particularly visible in agriculture. Our agriculture is competitive, also against German agriculture, as evidenced by the interest in Polish food at the Green Week fair. This is thanks to Polish farmers – as Minister Siekierski summed up the Polish speech at the Grüne Woche fair.
