Global threats to food systems need global approach

The pandemic, supply chain interruptions, rising costs of major primary commodities, conflicts and humanitarian crises threaten the functioning of world agri-food systems.This is according to Qu Dongyu, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)."We are at serious risk of facing a food access crisis now, and probably a food availability crisis for the next season. All this has put at risk our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Qu said."We must prevent the acceleration of acute food insecurity trends in the coming months and years," he urged.Qu outlined measures to be taken by the international community to address this situation, which include that food production at the country level must be expanded.He said cash and critical inputs are needed for cereal and vegetable production and to protect livestock with treatments, vaccinations, feed and water.In addition, livelihoods, agri-food systems, and economies need protection against future shocks.Qu summarised the scale of the task ahead, pointing to the impacts of the pandemic, conflicts, and the cumulative loss to the global economy of more than US$12 trillion in 2020 and 2021, setting back progress on the SDGs.To overcome these problems, he outlined four main areas that need attention: investment in the countries most in need; policies that increase productivity and protect natural resources; ensuring more efficient use of available inputs and outputs; and the importance of innovation, science and research.Cost-effective investmentFAO advocates for timely food aid as well as greater emphasis on locally produced nutritious food. Only 8% of all food security funding in emergencies goes to assist agricultural production, but investing in agriculture and rural livelihoods is seven to 10 times more cost-effective than traditional assistance."We must put policies in place that both increase productivity and protect natural resources," Qu said.Significant financial investment – estimated at 8% of the size of the agri-food market – is needed to transform such systems to deliver healthy, nutritious diets and to ensure equitable outcomes.Meanwhile, the barometer for world food commodity prices declined slightly in June for the third consecutive month, the FAO reported.The FAO Food Price Index averaged 154.2 points in June 2022, down 2.3% from May. The index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of commonly-traded food commodities, remained, however, 23.1% higher than in June 2021.The drop in June reflected declines in the international prices of vegetable oils, cereals and sugar, while dairy and meat prices increased.Crisis levelsForty-six countries, including 33 in Africa, 10 in Asia, two in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one in Europe, are in need of external food assistance, according to the latest crop prospects and food situation report, released by FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS). This list includes Namibia, which is estimated to have 750 000 people who faced Integrated Food Insecurity Phase Classification (IPC) phase three (crisis) levels of food insecurity between December 2021 and March 2022."Cereal production increased in 2022 and this is expected to have a positive impact on food security. However, rising prices of basic foods are likely to limit a more substantial improvement," the report stated.FAO’s forecast for aggregate cereal production of the group of low-income food-deficit countries in 2022 is pegged at 187.8 million tonnes, a marginal increase compared to the five-year average and the previous year, the report said.

Global threats to food systems need global approach

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-28

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Global threats to food systems need global approach

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-28

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