The challenge of change: navigating new approaches for agro-food systems for a sustainable and resilient future

Which of the following statements do you find frightening?

• “Around 3 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet.”

• “One in 11 people in the world and one in five people in Africa suffers from hunger.”

• “World population is expected to reach around 10 billion in 2050 and more than 11 billion in 2100.”

• “Food production needs to be increased by at least 60% to feed the growing population.”

• All of the above.

This author’s and, most likely yours, is “all of the above,” especially given the latest reports which warn about growing food insecurity and malnutrition. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 Report states that the world has regressed 15 years in terms of malnutrition levels (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO, 2024). This, and the UN Water report attribute this alarming trend to factors such as climate change, conflicts, and economic crises that have exacerbated food insecurity (UN, 2024). Moreover, these have happened despite global efforts since 2015 to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and although food production has increased by more than 100% in the last 30 years (UN, 2024). As noted in the Toll (2024) editorial in this journal, even if the 2030 Agenda moves its goalposts to 2050, we are halfway to that date. There are, however, still many opportunities for us to contribute to the UN SDGs through our own professions and, beyond, through multidisciplinary work.

While “Zero Hunger,” the second goal of the SDGs, seeks to end hunger and achieve food security for all people by 2030, undernourishment affected between 713 and 757 million people globally in 2023, a significant increase from previous years (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO, 2024), and it is worth noting that there is not enough agricultural land for further production to feed the growing population if we continue with the unsustainable production methodologies.

But why did this happen? Could it simply be the result of population growth, the recent pandemic, current conflicts, and economic crises? The world began to experience the “age of extremes” from the 20^th century onwards. Hobsbawm (1995) defines “extreme times” as “a short century between 1914 and 1991” when two global wars convulsed the world (Palat, 1997). However, the 20^th century was also impacted by other extremes, as we speedily developed, mass produced, excessively consumed, hugely wasted, destroyed, and again “developed” at a large scale. The 21^st century has inherited this legacy; the world faces many challenges and constraints, which continue to cause new crises. Referring to the global or globally impacting catastrophes we have been experiencing in recent years, the Collins Dictionary has chosen “Permacrisis,” a word describing the feeling of living through a continuous period of war, inflation, and political instability, as the 2022 word of the year (Bushby, 2022).

“Development” in all areas has affected agriculture and food systems both positively and negatively, as it has other sectors. However, change and transformation in agriculture and food systems can be both more difficult and may involve more fundamental and structural changes than for other sectors. The intensity of human labor in agriculture and its dependence functioning ecosystems bring many constraints and obstacles.

A broad recognition that only collective economic adjustment on a global scale can help to prevent the negative consequences of environmental degradation and climate change (reported by Georgeson et al., 2017 from Stern 2006) demonstrates the importance of joint actions and urges the international community to develop global goals and approaches. Initiatives to address these challenges embracing the concepts of sustainable development, resilience, green growth, green economy, circular economy, bioeconomy, circular bioeconomy, sustainable circular bioeconomy, and green deals have been in the agenda at the national, regional, international, and global scale for some time. More recently, sustainable food systems (which covers agricultural and food products) have been added into the agenda, too. Agro-food systems, defined as the chain of environments and activities encompassing all the elements, processes, infrastructures, and regulatory institutions involved from production to consumption stages, including the management of losses and waste in food production (Pothukuchi & Kaufman, 2000), refers to the vast network of local and international growers, processors, and distributors that feed the world's population.

The goals of a sustainable agro-food system should be food security, social welfare, and environmental well-being (Ericksen, 2008; Ericksen et al., 2010; FAO, 2008; Ingram, 2009). If these gigantic systems work well, they should benefit all of society; it is becoming apparent that these goals cannot be concurrently achieved using conventional linear economic systems (Giray et al., 2021). However, by promoting sustainable and efficient technologies, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and building social and environmental resilience into agro-food systems, it may be possible to achieve the SDGs in a more coherent and integrated way (Georgeson et al., 2017).

Achieving this transition to an “economy” better than the current take-make-use-dispose linear economic system requires a holistic approach that considers not only the environment but also the economy and human welfare. This means that we need to view the economy as a system that is interconnected with the environment and society, and to strive for sustainable development that balances economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. We also should consider the social and human aspects of sustainability, such as fair burden sharing, social equity, and community engagement.

Research on acute food insecurity and famine risks suggests that it is often pressure on natural resources, conflict, insecurity and governance, and social inequalities that have the potential to translate into economic shocks and disasters that disrupt food production and distribution. No matter how diversified today’s debates on the causes and realities of regional hunger and the global challenges of global warming, climate change, and current and potential pandemics, the fact that resources are scarce and finite, but we need to reduce waste and feed a growing population, requires that society and decision-makers are supported by high quality, transdisciplinary science. Increasing production while reducing the burden of production on natural resources and the future of the planet requires changes in both production and consumption that minimize the depletion of natural resources and mitigate climate change. The challenge, therefore, is to balance the need for increased food production with sustainability and resilience, and responsible resource use, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food, which has been conceptualized as “no one left behind” (UN, 2018). To address this challenge, a comprehensive approach is needed, including not only research and investment for new technologies and capacity building but also a rethink in terms of agroecological approaches, food sovereignty, technology integration, policy reforms, social economy, and solidarity. Sustainable agro-food systems are a topic in which multidisciplinary studies gain more importance as it is a subject at the intersection of many sciences and sectors. Not only does it concern the whole of society in terms of nutrition, but it is also a challenge that requires a transdisciplinary approach. In order to contribute to science-informed environmental management, policy, and decision-making processes, there is thus a need for interdisciplinarity in science and research, while adopting transdisciplinary approaches to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, increase social participation, develop citizen science practices, and guide policymakers with knowledge-based recommendations. To secure a sustainable and resilient agri-food future, we must move beyond fragmented efforts and move towards integrated, science-driven solutions.

Conflicts of interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

There is no external funding in the preparation of this work and the author is solely responsible for the work. The author would like to thank Assoc. Prof. M. Nisa Mencet Yelboğa from Akdeniz University, Türkiye; Sabine E Apitz; and Donna Frankel from the IEAM Editorial Office for their advice, comments, and facilitation.

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