Introduction
Throughout history, science and dedicated research have played a pivotal role in shaping the world we live in today. They have brought us improved health, lower mortality rates, better education, abundant food production, and overall well-being. Science, Technology, and Innovation have allowed us to overcome major challenges such as famine, pandemics, conflicts, and industrialization, leading to transformative changes in our lives and the availability of resources.
However, this progress has come at a cost. We've overused our resources and relied on a limited number of inventions and species. As a result, we now face new challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, food security issues, water scarcity, and political instability. Addressing these global problems, both locally and globally, requires mobilizing science and harnessing advanced scientific expertise without adverse effects on environment.
Fortunately, we’re currently in an era of peak innovation, with a vast knowledge base and a deep understanding of natural phenomena. Science has matured significantly in fields like biology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry. The question now is how we can leverage these scientific advancements in agriculture and food systems to boost productivity while minimizing resource usage.
SDGs and their status
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global objectives established by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. Progress toward achieving the SDGs has been mixed. At the mid-way point towards 2030, many of the SDGs are moderately to severely off track (Fig.1). A preliminary assessment of the roughly 140 targets with data show only about 12% are on track; close to half, though showing progress, are moderately or severely off track and some 30% have either seen no movement or regressed below the 2015 baseline.
Global situation of food security
The “Zero Hunger” goal, SDG2, aims to eliminate hunger, ensure food security, enhance nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. However, progress toward this goal has been inconsistent, with certain regions and countries falling behind. Projections suggest that as many as 670 million people may still suffer from hunger by 2030. According to the latest FAO SOFI report (The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World),[1] approximately 821 million people are currently experiencing hunger, an increase of 150 million since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The primary drivers of poverty and food insecurity include conflicts, persistent inequalities, climate change, and food insecurity itself. Despite commitments made at COP27 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, current national government pledges are insufficient to achieve this target. A concerning report (Climate Plans Remain Insufficient: More Ambitious Action Needed Now | UNFCCC)[2] indicates that if these pledges are implemented as they stand, the world is on a trajectory for a 2.5°C warmer world by the end of the century. This could lead to the expansion of drylands worldwide, exacerbating food security challenges.
Ongoing global efforts are crucial to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to end hunger and food insecurity by 2030. However, the 2023 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) paints a discouraging picture (Global Report on Food Crises 2023 | World Food Programme).[3] It reveals that the challenge of eradicating hunger by 2030 has become even more daunting, as the number of people facing severe food insecurity has risen for the fourth consecutive year. This concerning situation is a result of persistently high levels of food insecurity in some nations, deteriorating conditions in others, and more comprehensive analysis.
Impact of climate change
Climate change presents significant challenges such as shifting weather patterns, crop failures, alterations in pest and disease patterns, water scarcity, land degradation, and changes in suitable crops. Water scarcity has profound adverse impacts on agrifood systems, affecting every stage of food production, from farming and harvesting to distribution and consumption.
Africa, a continent with immense potential for global food production, grapples with low agricultural productivity. The current growth in African agriculture primarily stems from expanding land use rather than enhancing productivity (see Fig. 2), which fails to address poverty and malnutrition effectively. This issue arises from insufficient progress in utilizing inputs like seeds, fertilizers, water, and crucially, knowledge for informed decision-making, both on and off the farm. The urgency of the situation is heightened by climate change, demanding increased efforts to provide African farmers and food system stakeholders with improved information, innovative solutions, risk reduction measures, and productivity-boosting innovations through investments in science and technology. To address these challenges, actions should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices, improving water management, investing in crop breeding and genetic diversity, and promoting sustainable and adaptive agriculture. The development of strategies for adaptation and resilience-building is pivotal to ensuring food security amidst a changing climate in Africa.
System approach for agri-food transformation and role of FAO
Transformation of agrifood systems is a critical topic globally for sustainable agriculture and food security. FAO always uses the term ‘agrifood systems’ which covers the holistic journey of food from farms to table, and all agriculture sectors, including all food, feed and fibers. The United Nations Food Systems Summit took place in September 2021, where world leaders, stakeholders, and experts convened to discuss and set the agenda for transforming global food systems. It emphasized the need for more sustainable, equitable, and resilient agrifood systems. To transform the world through food and agriculture, FAO is working with its members and partners to promote the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable for four-betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for All, leaving no one behind. These four betters reflect the interconnected economic, social and environmental dimensions of agri-food systems.
To accelerate impact while minimizing trade-offs, FAO is applying four cross-cutting/cross-sectional “accelerators”: (i) technology, (ii) innovation, (iii) data, and (iv) complements (governance, human capital, and institutions) in all its programmatic interventions (Fig. 3). This makes science and innovation as the backbone of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and are relevant to the key elements of the strategic framework to harness science, technology and innovation which are key for the transformation to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
The FAO’s Science and Innovation Strategy was endorsed by FAO Council in June 2022. The vision of the Strategy is a world free from hunger and malnutrition, where the potential of science and innovation is fully leveraged to overcome complex social, economic and environmental challenges of agrifood systems in a globally equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner. The Strategy covers all sectors and areas of agrifood systems, including crop, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture; from natural resource management, to production, consumption and food loss and waste; the full range of scientific disciplines (the natural, social, and economic sciences) are considered relevant. It recognizes the need for a diversity of innovations: technological (including digital), social, policy, financial, and institutional, as well as systemic approaches to research. The Strategy gives particular attention to the needs of low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on small-scale producers, family farmers, indigenous peoples, women and youth, as well as micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Innovation Frontiers for Agri-food Systems
We are currently at the peak of innovation, with our knowledge base expanded significantly. Our ability to understand natural events and to craft new creations is unparalleled. Presently, we can boast on our scientific achievements because scientific outcomes in various fields, including biology, physics, and chemistry, are ready to deliver for the betterment of humanity and planet. We are at our best to improve, innovate and transform our agrifood systems based on science and innovation. FAO plays a crucial role as a neutral platform for discussion of potential benefits and risks of technologies, in terms of consequences for human hunger, human health, animal welfare, food safety, effects on the environment, socioeconomic impact and distribution of benefits.
o Genetic innovations & Biotechnology: Genetic innovations in agriculture are advancing rapidly, offering promising solutions to enhance crop yields, improve resistance to pests and diseases, and promote sustainability. Biotechnology has wide-ranging uses and possibilities including, inter alia, crops adapted to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutritionally enhanced and longer lasting foods with reduced losses, reduction of allergens, foodborne disease detection, food safety surveillance, monitoring of genetic diversity and biodiversity, phytoremediation and improved soil health, efficient use of nutrients in feed by animals, rapid diagnosis of diseases and development of vaccines. Some remarkable events in recent pasts could be the drivers of future scenario:
- Gene-editing technology, including CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), which represents a recent advance in genetics and its application to plant and animal breeding, and is set to contribute to improvements in various aspects of agricultural production. They enhance precision and efficiency over current breeding methods to create crops with desired traits, such as increased pest resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional content for the rapid development of improved plant varieties and animal breeds. In December 2022, FAO published an issue-paper on gene editing techniques and agrifood systems. Developed by a team of authors with oversight from the office of Chief Scientist FAO. This paper is science and evidence-based, forward-looking, and takes a broad and interdisciplinary approach.
- Regulatory Frameworks: Regulatory frameworks governing the use of genetic innovations in agriculture are evolving. Some countries have updated their policies to accommodate new technologies like gene editing while ensuring safety and ethical considerations. Since the adoption of genetic innovations in agriculture is subject to regulatory approval and public acceptance, therefore ethical and environmental considerations, as well as concerns about the long-term effects of these innovations, should continue to be part of the discussion on their use in the agri-food system.
o New food sources and food production systems: In response to the growing global demand for sustainable, nutritious, and environmentally friendly food, new food sources and production systems are emerging. These innovations represent a shift towards more efficient and eco-friendly approaches to food production, however most of them are still lacking life-cycle analysis to demonstrate these environmental-promises. They are designed to tackle challenges related to population growth, climate change, and limited resources while offering diverse and nutritious food choices for the increasing global population. Some of these innovations are:
- Plant-Based Alternatives: Plant-based foods, such as meat substitutes, dairy alternatives, and plant-based proteins, have gained popularity. These products are designed to mimic the taste and texture of animal-based foods while reducing the environmental footprint and addressing ethical concerns.
- Cellular Agriculture: Cellular agriculture involves the cultivation of animal cells, such as muscle cells, to produce meat, poultry, and seafood without the need for traditional animal farming. This technology offers a more sustainable and cruelty-free way to produce animal-based proteins.
- Alternative Protein Sources: Researchers are exploring alternative protein sources, such as fungi and microorganisms. These innovative approaches can provide protein-rich ingredients for food production. Insects, such as crickets and mealworms, are also considered a potential protein source due to their high nutritional value and lower environmental impact compared to traditional livestock.
- Algae and Seaweed: Algae and seaweed are rich in nutrients and can be used in various food products, including snacks, supplements, and even meat alternatives. They require minimal land and water resources for cultivation.
- Vertical Farming: Vertical farming involves growing crops in stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, often indoors or in urban environments. This approach reduces land use, conserves water, and allows for year-round cultivation.
- Blockchain and Traceability: Blockchain technology is being used to improve the traceability of food products, ensuring transparency in the supply chain, and allowing consumers to verify the origins and quality of their food.
o Data science and digitalization in Agriculture: Data science and digitalization play a significant role in modern agriculture, often referred to as ‘AgTech’ or ‘Precision Agriculture’. These technologies have transformed the way farming and agricultural processes are managed, leading to increased efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The effective use of data in agriculture and rural development, and artificial intelligence play a key role in supporting evidence-based policymaking, planning and implementation to improve efficiency and productivity, as well as reducing negative environmental impacts, and it can have a transformational impact by creating opportunities for smallholder farmers and rural communities, through holistic and targeted interventions with concrete impact on the ground.
Unfortunately, there is a large digital divide, with only 47% of developing countries and 19% of LDCs having access to the internet, with barriers to digital adoption due to a lack of electricity in rural areas, literacy, digital skills, and lack of proper content, and specifically with regard to professionally oriented applications. FAO has a strong focus on "Digital for Impact”, with technology, innovation and data as key cross-cutting accelerators across all FAO’s work to reach impact at scale, as set out in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31. The aim of our “Digital for Impact” is to accelerate action to achieve the SDGS by promoting:
- better and more timely access to real-time actionable information.
- sustained engagement with farmers and agrifood systems stakeholders to maximize their benefits from new technologies.
- improved access to markets, credit and insurance through the application of digital technologies.
- access to digitally enabled climate-smart agriculture solutions; and
- enhancing the digitalization of emergency interventions and social protection mechanisms.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Collaboration between public research institutions and private companies is driving genetic innovation in agriculture at faster pace than ever. These partnerships facilitate the development and deployment of new crop varieties and technologies. Investments in R&D are inextricably intertwined with growth in agricultural productivity and food supplies. But it takes decades, not months or years, for the consequences of these investments to be fully realized. More investment in public ag R&D needed – Between 1990 and 2014, private spending on agricultural R&D worldwide more than tripled from USD 5.1 billion to USD 15.6 billion surpassing public R&D but concentrated on a relatively small number of commodities. If present trends continue, global AgR&D in the middle of the twenty-first century will look very different from how it looked at the dawn of the century. The rise of AgR&D in the rapidly growing middle-income countries, and the increase in private-sector participation in various regions are encouraging. But the retreat from public AgR&D by rich countries and the continued comparatively low levels of investment in many poorer countries, are concerning. Rapidly regaining lost ground for these parts of the world is an obvious priority if we are to feed the world sustainably to 2050 and beyond. PPP is very important across all platforms because it has capability to disseminate technologies as far as last needy person, leaving no one behind.
Agrifood Systems Technologies & Innovations Outlook (ATIO)
In 2022, FAO launched the new knowledge product ‘Introducing the Agrifood Systems Technologies & Innovations Outlook (ATIO)’.[4] The objective of ATIO is to curate existing information on the current, measurable state of STI and upcoming changes, as well as their transformative potential, to inform evidence-based policy dialogue and decisions, including on investments.
Currently data and assessments on STI are scattered, incomplete, unintegrated, while ATIO will gather data and analyze across four distinct stages of STI development and diffusion. These stages begin with (i) the agrifood systems STI inputs (e.g. R&D financial investments, human, physical and social capital) that generate (ii) pre-emergent STI – i.e. those under active development but not yet in use outside the community of developers – some subset of which gain traction and become (iii) emergent STI observable in use outside researchers’ control, and finally become (iv) mature STI before, in many cases, growing obsolescent.
Way Forward for Sustainable Agri-Food System
The way forward for a sustainable agrifood system involves a holistic approach that addresses the complex challenges of food production, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Achieving sustainability in agriculture and the food industry is critical for ensuring food security, reducing environmental impacts, and promoting equitable access to nutritious food. Three key steps and strategies for moving toward a sustainable agrifood system are proposed as:
- Large investment in frontier science and technologies, namely in developing multiple applications and in scaling up innovations, with particular focus on the Global South.
- Science can help provide understanding of the differences of view on contentious issues, for greater policy coherence, shared ownership, and collective action. It is important to nurture debates and contentions to allow space for new ideas and breakthroughs, even when scientific development allows us to close some gaps among contentious issues.
- Strengthening the science-policy interface is critical, to ensure that effective policy decisions are made based upon credible science and evidence.
[1] FAO: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.
[2] UNFCCC: Climate Plans Remain Insufficient, More Ambitious Action Needed Now.
[3] WFP: Global Report Food Crises 2023.
[4] FAO: Introducing the Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook 2022.