Agri-food systems employ 1 billion people worldwide, more than any other economic sector. The way we produce, consume or waste food exacts a heavy toll on our planet, putting unnecessary pressure on natural resources & our environment. Food production often degrades natural habitats & contributes to species extinction. Inefficiency costs trillions of dollars, exposes profound inequalities in our society. 3 billion people can’t afford healthy diets.
811 million people still go hungry. World hunger is on the rise, affecting 9.9% of people globally. From 2019-20, number of under-nourished people grew by 161 million – a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change & COVID-19 pandemic that made it even harder for farmers already grappling with climate variability to sell their harvests. Rising poverty is pushing an increased number of city residents to use food banks. Millions require emergency food aid. Global goal is a sustainable agri-food system capable of nourishing 10 billion people by 2050.
Solutions exist by revamping old policies, adopting new ones to foster production of affordable nutritious foods while promoting farmer participation. Actions that promote equality, drive innovation, boost rural incomes, offer safety nets to small-holders & build climate resilience. Linking education, agriculture, health, energy, social protection & finance will make solutions fit together.