Food security is a collective effort — here's what we need to do

Global food systems are facing unprecedented challenges, ranging from the impact of climate change to disruptions to supply chains that are felt globally. At the same time, the food system accounts for approximately one-third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. It is evident that it no longer meets the world’s sustainability needs.

But change to our food systems comes at a cost: The World Economic Forum estimates that there is a $15.2 billion funding gap for food system innovation. In the context of the need to feed an ever-growing population, this poses a significant risk for nations around the world.

Food security cannot be achieved by governments alone. Building resilient global food systems requires a collective effort that involves a broad array of stakeholders in an economy. From government bodies to private entities and even individual consumers, each one plays an important role in effectively addressing the complex issues modern food systems are grappling with, and work towards a more sustainable future.

Here’s all you need to know about the role of government, the private sector and the individual in building a food secure future.

There is no doubt that governments and public sector entities must lead the way in navigating the complexities of global food systems. But the brunt cannot be on them alone. Prioritizing food security in national agendas is an important first step; however, the key to success is to facilitate a sweeping transformation across other layers of the economy to break up with unsustainable practices and consumption patterns.

This can take various forms. Governments can incentivize change by subsidizing research and innovation in agriculture; they can make or encourage targeted investments in state-of-the-art facilities for food production or storage; and they can strategically advance groundbreaking approaches such as big data-driven personalized nutrition.

Some countries are already making headway through such initiatives. This includes the successful introduction of more climate resilient rice varieties in Bangladesh, the third-largest rice producer globally; the announcement of the world’s largest grain storage plan by the Indian government in 2023; and Brazil’s emergence as one of the leading exporters of agricultural products as a result of government efforts to accelerate innovation in the sector.

It is at the adoption level that the private sector comes in. Companies need to embrace innovation and mobilize capital to realize the ambitions set out by governments. Typically, this means challenging the status quo and making comparatively riskier business decisions that are focused on the long term.

Successful examples include the deployment of harvesting robots in apple orchards in Chile, as AI-powered precision farming techniques are starting to find a foothold in the country. In the UAE, a country that has historically imported a large percentage of its food due to its desert climate, large-scale indoor agriculture parks provide a breeding ground for the implementation of innovative concepts and technologies, with an increasing percentage of locally consumed fruits and vegetables produced through vertical farming and hydroponics.

The creation of partnerships between the public and private sector plays an important role in such advancements. Initiatives like the FoodTech Challenge, a food security competition launched by the UAE government in 2019 that awards cash prizes, startup incentives and innovation grants to the most innovative agriculture solutions, can help bring forward promising technologies. Several winning technologies are now being trialed in the Middle East and beyond, such as the adoption of blockchain technologies to support a seamless agricultural supply chain.

The responsibility for food security lies with all of us. It is estimated that one-third of all food produced worldwide is either lost or wasted throughout the lifecycle, amounting to around 1.3 billion tons per year with a value of nearly $1 trillion. Consumers can make significant contributions to preventing food waste on a daily basis by making conscious choices. This ranges from mindful consumption to opting to buy locally produced goods, and from waste reduction at home to advocating for sustainable practices to help spread the word.

In many nations, such efforts are supported by governments or NGOs. Ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, has a goal of cutting the country’s food waste in half by 2030. By partnering with prominent organizations across the local ecosystem, Ne’ma raises awareness about the role of individual contributions in fostering food security on a bigger scale and advances projects that support this goal.

Ultimately, creating a more resilient global food system demands a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach. By collaborating and coordinating efforts towards tackling the root causes of food insecurity, governments, the private sector and individuals can take tangible steps towards a world where safe, nutritious food is accessible to all.