January, 12th, Rome/London/Brussels – Today, the World Farmers’ Organisation joins with Zinc Communicate, a Zinc Media Group company to produce a series of documentaries about the current position of farming in a world challenged by climate change, ‘The Future of Food’.
Farming is one of the oldest and most fundamental occupations in humankind’s history; eleven thousand years ago, farming was “invented” in Mesopotamia and has faced many challenges since then. Fast forward to now. With a global crisis in food costs and production, climate change, the economy, government inaction, the shrinkage of space and time, farming is a crucial sector in our food systems that must be fully recognised and seriously considered and supported to advance healthily and sustainably in years to come.
Taking a global approach, we will bring to the screen the challenges being faced in the farming sector whilst presenting local solutions on the ground and developments that the farmers’ community worldwide is implementing to overcome these hurdles, first among all the changing and extreme weather patterns that are dramatically threatening their production and revenues.
On the front-line, at the cutting edge of innovation, featuring human-interest stories, the series will investigate the importance of sustainable agriculture and how transitioning towards more sustainable, climate-resilient, and nature-positive farming practices is good for the farmers, their families, the consumers and the planet.
Understanding where our food comes from, who farmers are, and how they are moving towards more sustainable and nature-positive food production is vital for us all.
Jack Davies, Creative Director at Zinc Media Group expresses, “We will investigate new developments in farming, the personalities behind some of the most successful businesses, from the large to the small, and come to understand how a sustainable future can be achieved”.
He goes on to say, “We learn how the tradition of farming has become a vital ingredient in our fight for survival, how those that feed us have adapted and prospered despite the challenges. With personal, emotive stories, we will look deep into new technology, new thinking, a new understanding of the world we live in”.
‘The Future of Food’ will inspire the youngest to broaden the horizons of agriculture, will build bridges between farmers across the globe and, more than that, help the public understand who farmers are and what agriculture can do to the many challenges our world has to face, from ending hunger to protecting nature and biodiversity, overcoming poverty, and fighting against climate change.
“We are thrilled to partner up with Zinc Communicate and bring to the screen farmers, from each continent of the world filming their true stories about sustainability,” says the WFO Secretary General Arianna Giuliodori. “We want to show everybody the vital role farmers play for our people and planet, producing fresh, safe and nutritious food we can enjoy with our families and loved ones, while generating a positive impact on nature around us.”
Farmers are innovators by nature and necessity and have innovative solutions that have survived for centuries, proving that they hold an important part of the solution in bringing a positive impact on the environment. The families and communities, the personal, the sharp end of farming practices, with their fingers in the soil, these will be investigated.
“Our aim with this series is to lift a curtain and peer behind the scenes of farming today and understand how we can all contribute to a future in which farming is more and more sustainable and could hold the keys to a future that is fair, equal and respectful for the planet and for us all” says Elizabeth Fisher-Robins, Director of Corporate Film at Zinc Media Group, and the series’ Executive Producer, “We are honoured to partner with such a powerful organisation to bring greater meaning and reach to our production”.
The series will be launched at COP28, where food and agriculture are set to be high on the agenda.
We are currently seeking credible corporate partners who would like to be involved in this initiative as sponsors, as well as additional media and distribution partners. To find out how you can be involved, please get in touch with Adam Harrod, Director of Business Programming, adam.harrod@zincmedia.com or Valerie Van Der Graaf, Head of Business Programming valerie.vandergraaf@zincmedia.com.