In June of 2024, the Ambassador for Organic and Sustainable Food submitted an application for the PRIMA “Woman Greening Food Systems Award” in the Mediterranean. This award aims to recognize the remarkable contributions of women in advancing and promoting sustainability, resilience, and innovation within food systems. The selection process with the jury will take place during the summer of 2024.

The following summary was submitted as part of this application:

Malta has experienced significant changes in its food systems due to anthropogenic pressures, intensive agriculture, and the limitations of a small island state. With a population increase of 28% over the past decade and a 70% dependency on food imports, Malta faces food security challenges. Malta’s agriculture faces numerous hurdles, including ageing farming communities, land fragmentation, shallow soils, and water scarcity. Organic farming offers a potential solution to these issues including the potential to improve soil quality, biodiversity, and farm viability.

In May of 2022, I was appointed as the first national Ambassador for Organic and Sustainable Food. My primary task in the role is to promote organic food and more specifically, to coordinate the preparation and implementation of a national organic action plan, a first for the Maltese Islands. Malta’s Action Plan aims to convert 5% of agricultural land to organic by 2030, driven by growing demand for organic products and a dedicated community of producers. The plan, developed with input from stakeholders, focuses on access to land, finance, knowledge, and infrastructure, supporting both new and existing organic farmers. Financial incentives are crucial, with Malta offering some of the highest EU rates for organic farming conversion and maintenance.

Preliminary data shows a nearly 30% increase in organic agricultural land between January 2023 and January 2024, indicating progress. Outreach efforts include social media, workshops, and direct engagement with producers. The Action Plan serves as a foundation for future negotiations and progress in the organic sector.

As a business scientist, I support farmers in building sustainable enterprises. Our team continues to work on initiatives, including a national food strategy, to promote resilience and sustainability in food systems. I am committed to empowering women in agriculture and leveraging their role as consumers to drive positive change in food systems.