From Nigeria’s bustling markets to Kenya’s drought-stricken fields and the unpredictable El Niño effects in South America to the conflict-ridden landscapes of Afghanistan and Somalia, the global food system is showing signs of strain. In Asia-Pacific, food imports amount to nearly $2 trillion annually. The region also faces a significant challenge as the cost of essential commodities such as rice, wheat, and oil rises, disproportionately impacting impoverished people.
As the world’s leaders gathered at COP28 in Dubai, the spotlight turned to an often-overlooked aspect of climate change: our global food systems and food security. This year, a pivotal declaration backed by 152 countries has thrust the intersection of agriculture, food security, and climate change into the international spotlight. During the COP28 event, a notable financial commitment was highlighted: out of the $83.7 billion mobilised so far, $3.1 billion is earmarked specifically for the food sector as announced by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the launch event. This allocation reflects a significant recognition of the food sector’s role in both addressing and being impacted by climate change. The increase in signatories to the UAE Declaration, now at 152 countries, further emphasises the global urgency to integrate food systems and agriculture into climate change strategies. Alongside this financial commitment, the $2.5 billion mobilised for food security and the $200 million UAE and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnership represent a concerted effort to drive innovation in food systems in response to the climate crisis.
A sobering prediction by the World Bank highlights the critical nature of the problem: 956 million people will be severely food insecure worldwide by 2028. In this bleak future, hunger and climate change are intertwined. According to the World Resources Institute, food production would need to rise by 50% to satisfy 2050 demand without significant food system reforms and increasing environmental concerns. Yet, amidst this daunting scenario, critical questions arise: Can our food systems keep pace as our global population increases? In an age where technological marvels abound, why does the shadow of food insecurity linger? These questions challenge us to look beyond mere production, probing not just in producing more food but in rethinking how we grow it.
High-tech farming era
In the landscape of modern sustainable farming, precision agriculture stands as a beacon of innovation, reshaping age-old agricultural practices. Scientists are testing climate-resilient varieties of staple crops like rice that can thrive in extreme conditions and reduce agricultural emissions. Focusing on how climate change affects the resilience of the plant/soil interface and soil microbiomes and creating crops that can quickly adjust to shifting weather patterns are essential.
Precision agriculture, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), represents a significant shift towards more efficient and sustainable farming. While many farmers globally embrace these climate-resilient practices, their adoption has yet to be widespread, especially in drought-affected regions. Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation and AI-driven crop monitoring optimise resource use, crucial in areas with limited water and nutrients. These tools, including AI algorithms that analyse and predict climatic trends, are essential for guiding farmers in adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Policy: The invisible hand guiding agricultural innovation
Agricultural innovations present opportunities to adapt to climate extremes like droughts, floods, and heatwaves, contributing up to 30% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C. However, innovation alone isn’t enough; it thrives in an environment fostered by supportive policies. Governments and international bodies are crucial in shaping the future of food security. For example, the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has significantly supported farmers and promoted sustainable practices. However, can other global entities replicate such successful models? The solution lies in collaborative efforts and a unified vision for a hunger-free world.
In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Hand in Hand (HIH) Initiative stands out as a model of policy-driven support for transforming the agri-food system. This initiative aims to eradicate poverty, end hunger and malnutrition, and reduce inequalities by implementing ambitious, nationally-led programs. The HIH Initiative utilizes advanced geospatial modelling, analytics, and robust partnership-building to accelerate agrifood systems’ market-based transformations. This approach is designed to raise incomes, improve nutrition, and enhance resilience to climate change, particularly in countries and territories facing the highest levels of poverty, hunger, and operational challenges.
Key areas of intervention under the HIH Initiative include developing value chains for priority commodities, building agro-industries, efficient water management systems, and introducing digital services and precision agriculture. Additionally, it addresses reducing food losses and waste and tackling climate challenges and weather risks (The Hand-In-Hand Initiative, n.d.). By prioritising inclusive institutions and policies, as emphasised in the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report, the initiative ensures that the most impacted communities have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. This is crucial, as deploying technologies without a deep understanding of local contexts can lead to unintended, counterproductive outcomes.
Also, the facilitation of market stabilisation is of paramount importance in bolstering the accessibility of cutting-edge technologies for farmers. One notable illustration can be found in the World Bank’s implementation of the Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, which has been allocated a substantial budget of $60 million. The aforementioned initiative has effectively engaged a substantial number of African farmers, nearing the 3 million mark. Notably, 39% of these beneficiaries are women, promoting gender inclusivity. The initiative’s primary objective is to equip these farmers with indispensable climate-smart agriculture tools and information services, thereby enhancing their resilience and adaptability to changing climatic conditions. The collaborative initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR), plays a pivotal role in assisting farmers to enhance their productivity and build resilience in the face of the climate crisis.
Forward-thinking: Envisioning a world without hunger
With the curtains drawn on the discussions in Dubai, the world reflects on the outcomes. Will the commitments made at COP28 materialise into practical actions and policy changes, or will they fail to address the urgent needs of a rapidly warming planet? The answers to these questions are critical, as they will direct the global strategy for tackling food security and climate change. It’s about rethinking our relationship with food and the earth that provides it. What if every stakeholder in the food chain, from the smallholder farmer to the multinational corporation, worked towards a common goal of sustainability? The future could be where hunger is a thing of the past and food security is a reality for all.
