Global Food Policy Report, 2023

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) released the Global Food Policy Report, 2023 on April 13, urging stakeholders to invest in long-term solutions for building resilient and equitable food systems. The report highlights that multiple crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, natural disasters, civil unrest, and political instability, have led to a rise in food insecurity worldwide during 2020-2022.

Three Key Areas of Focus for Responding to Food System Shocks

To respond to food system shocks, the IFPRI report suggests focusing on three key areas: crisis prediction and preparation; building resilience before and during crises; and making crisis response supportive and inclusive of vulnerable groups. Investing in early warning systems is essential to save lives, livelihoods, and money.

The Urgent Need for Strengthening Agrifood Value Chains

The report advocates for strengthening agrifood value chains to support livelihoods and food security during crises. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 3.83 billion people worldwide live in households reliant on agrifood systems-based livelihoods, at least in part. In particular, fertiliser prices rose by 199% between May 2020 and the end of 2022, exacerbating food insecurity, according to the World Economic Forum.

Current State of Hunger Levels and Undernourishment

The IFPRI report reveals that 205 million people across 45 countries experienced crisis-level acute food insecurity or worse in 2022. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s State of Food Security and Nutrition Report estimates that 768 million people worldwide were undernourished in 2021. Furthermore, hunger levels in 2023 are higher than ever before, according to the World Food Programme.

Promoting Gender Equality and Sustainability in Food Systems

To promote gender equality and sustainability, IFPRI suggests integrating social protection with gender and climate goals and empowering women. According to the report, 20% of Africa’s population is food insecure and undernourished. Investing in long-term solutions is crucial, as climate change is predicted to leave 72 million more people undernourished by 2050.

The Required Investment for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems

The finance lever of the UN Food Systems Summit estimates that an annual investment of $300-400 billion is required to make food systems more resilient and sustainable. Therefore, it is vital for governments, policymakers, and other stakeholders to prioritize long-term solutions for building resilient and equitable food systems to address the current food crises and prevent future ones.

Month: Current Affairs – April, 2023

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs