A range of pressures including rapid population growth, urbanization, growing wealth and consequent changes in consumption patterns, are challenging our agrifood systems’ ability to provide nutritious food, and to contribute to enhanced livelihood opportunities in an environmentally sustainable way. Our agrifood systems are contributing to, and affected by, extreme weather events as associated with climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Responding to these challenges requires a systems-based approach that addresses the range and complexities in a holistic and sustainable manner.
A sustainable agrifood system is one that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generation is not compromised. This means that it is profitable throughout, ensuring economic sustainability, it has broad-based benefits for society, securing social sustainability, and that it has a positive or neutral impact on the natural resource environment, safeguarding the sustainability of the environment.
Resources
Stories of agrifood systems change. Insights from Côte d’Ivoire, Cambodia, the Pacific, Guatemala and Albania
26/07/2024
A series of country change stories has been documented in an attempt to ground the global agrifood systems discourse in specific realities, demystify...
Agrifood systems transformation in Mediterranean cities - Opportunities for collaborative action and shared learning
05/07/2024
This technical brief aims to provide an overview of urban agrifood systems in the Mediterranean region and propose possible ways forward to collaboratively...
Policymaking for agrifood systems transformation in Costa Rica
30/05/2024
This brief provides a snapshot of agrifood policymaking in Costa Rica. It summarizes the government's efforts in achieving more sustainable agrifood...
Events
30/ 9
2024
4/10
2024
Committee on Agriculture (COAG)
Hybrid Event, 30/09/2024 - 04/10/2024
The 29th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) will be conducted as a hybrid event from 30 September to 4 October 2024...
Podcast
Podcast: The power of agrifood systems
18/07/2023
Videos
School feeding in Portoviejo, Ecuador
14/07/2022
This video shows the outcome of the School Feeding Programme activated in Portoviejo, Ecuador, in line with the FAO Framework for the Urban Food Agenda....