In the turbulent international situation, Norway, the quiet country of Northern Europe, is quietly weaving a protective net of food safety.
In the face of the challenges of global warming, geopolitical turmoil, and especially the shock of the food supply chain caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Norwegian government has resolutely decided to restart the dusty memory and return to the wisdom of the 50s of the last century to find the answer - the large-scale food reserve plan. This decision is not only a reflection of Norway's far-reaching vision for the future, but also a powerful response to global instability.
Recently, the Norwegian government signed unprecedented grain procurement agreements with a number of private companies, aiming to build a food reserve system sufficient to support the needs of the people of the country for three months, which is scheduled to be fully completed by 2029.
This ambitious plan will enter a critical phase in 2024 and 2025, when Norway will gradually increase its national food stocks to ensure that the national food table remains stable in the event of any emergency.
Back in the 50s, Norway successfully implemented a nationwide grain storage program that effectively coped with the uncertainties of that era. However, with the acceleration of globalization and confidence in a stable supply to international markets, the program was terminated in 2003.
Now, the wheel of history seems to be back to square one, only this time, the Norwegian government is learning from the past and focusing more on working with the private sector to meet the challenges of the new era.
The Norwegian government's food reserve plan is not a simple accumulation of grain, but a systematic project. It requires the private sector to not only participate in storage, but also to play an important role in supply chain management, food quality control, etc. The model aims to improve efficiency and ensure that in the event of an emergency, food reserves can be quickly converted into food in the hands of the population, not just numbers on paper.
Why is the Norwegian government restarting its food stockpiling programme at this time? Behind this is a deep insight into the dual threats of global climate change and geopolitical conflict. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has not only hit global energy markets, but has also severely disrupted food supply chains, especially wheat and sunflower oil exports.
The Norwegian Government recognises that countries that rely on food imports must have their own "bumpers" in order to maintain domestic stability in the face of rapidly changing international situations.
In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the Norwegian Parliament has approved a corresponding budget, which is a huge amount of money, demonstrating the importance that the country attaches to food security. In his speech, the Minister of Finance stressed: "It is not just a question of money, it is an investment in the future security of the country and a guarantee on the table of every Norwegian." ”
In addition to its domestic food reserves, Norway also plays a special role in global food security – home to the global seed bank, the "Doomsday Seed Bank" in Svalbard, Norway, has been hailed as an important backup for human biodiversity. Norway's contribution not only reflects its sense of responsibility for the global public interest, but also adds a layer of insurance to world food security.
Norway is not the only country planning ahead. The Danish government has also offered to require citizens to stock up on a certain amount of food and other necessities on their own, just in case. Talking about the threat of hybrid warfare, the Danish Minister of Defense warned: "We must be prepared to deal with a wide range of threats that could affect our daily lives." ”
In the face of an uncertain tomorrow, the Norwegian government has restarted its food reserve program, not only to protect it at the national level, but also to remind every family: in times of peace, we should work together to prepare for the unthinkable.
This is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the awareness of every individual, and the joint efforts to build a solid line of defense against risks. In this uncertain world, Norway's approach has undoubtedly taught us a vivid lesson in self-preservation.