Food and agriculture production systems worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges from an increasing demand for food for a growing population, rising hunger and malnutrition, adverse climate change effects, overexploitation of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, and food loss and waste. These challenges can undermine the world’s capacity to meet its food needs now and in the future. In other words, fewer people have adequate access to enough nutritious food. To find out more about the current state of food and nutrition security worldwide, visit www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition
Our current food and agriculture systems are failing to address the key challenges of our times, while millions still go hungry or malnourished. Achieving a level of production that meets our needs from an already seriously depleted natural resource base will be impossible without profound changes in our food and agriculture systems. We need to expand and accelerate the transition to sustainable food and agriculture which ensures world food security, provides economic and social opportunities, and protects the ecosystem services on which agriculture depends.
Agriculture and food systems are unsustainable if they fail to benefit those whose livelihoods depend on it, if these systems rely on outdated approaches and technologies, if access to resources, inputs and markets is limited, and if there are no decent job opportunities.
Highlights
5 key principles of sustainability for food and agriculture
Increase productivity, employment and value addition in food systems
Protect and enhance natural resources
Improve livelihoods and foster inclusive economic growth
Enhance the resilience of people, communities and ecosystems
Adapt governance to new challenges
In focus
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31
Since 2010 all of FAO’s work is guided by a Strategic Framework prepared for a period of ten to fifteen years, reviewed every four years.
Sustainable Development Goals Helpdesk
The FAO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Helpdesk is a gateway to FAO's knowledge, tools and expertise for assisting Members and other actors...
Publication
Transforming Food and Agriculture to Achieve the SDGs
These guidelines are primarily directed towards decision-makers responsible for integrating the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into national policies and programmes.
Sustainable Food and Agriculture
Sustainable Food and Agriculture: An Integrated Approach is the first book to look at the imminent threats to sustainable food security through a cross-sectoral lens. As the world faces food supply challenges posed by the declining growth...
FAO’s Four Betters: a systems lens to accelerate the SDGs
With the SDGs intrinsic to FAO’s overall theory of change, the Organization is vitally invested in advancing them. Consequently, the Strategic Framework adopted in July 2021 seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031
This new strategy articulates FAO's vision for agrifood systems by 2050, around three main pillars of action: at global and regional level, at country level, and at local level.