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FIXING FOOD
TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM
Written by
1
ABOUT
THIS
REPORT
F ixing Food is an Economist Intelligence
Unit (EIU) report on food system
sustainability globally, spanning
agriculture, nutrition, and food loss and waste.
It draws on an interview programme with
experts from the academic, public and private
sectors and is published alongside the Food
Sustainability Index (FSI). The project was
developed with the Barilla Center for Food
and Nutrition (BCFN).
2 3
ABOUT THE FOOD SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
FIXING FOOD
The Food Sustainability Index (FSI), which ranks SCORE
25 countries according to their food system RANK COUNTRY (OUT OF
The EIU wishes to thank the following experts (listed alphabetically) sustainability, is a quantitative and qualitative 100)
who participated in the interview programme for this report: benchmarking model. It is based on 58 indicators 1 France 67.53
that measure the sustainability of food systems
2 Japan 66.66
across three pillars: food loss and waste;
Duncan Brack, environmental policy analyst Jason Hill, associate professor, University sustainable agriculture; and nutritional challenges. 3 Canada 64.86
and associate fellow at Chatham House of Minnesota The index has three key performance indicators— 4 Germany 64.67
environmental, societal and economic—which are
5 United Kingdom 63.87
Francesco Branca, director, nutrition for health and Stafanus Indrayana, head of corporate in turn based on 35 indicators and eight categories
development, World Health Organisation (WHO) communications, Indofoods selected on the basis of expert analysis by 6 Italy 63.67
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 7 South Korea 62.82
Barbara Burlingame, professor of public health Jill Kolling, senior director of sustainability, Cargill consultation with an advisory board. The scores
8 Australia 62.36
and nutrition, Massey University, New Zealand for the three main pillars are calculated from
Anna Lartey, director of nutrition and food systems the weighted mean of underlying indicators and 9 Israel 60.03
Alison Cairns, external affairs director, Unilever division, FAO are scaled from 0 to 100, where 100 equals most 10 Colombia 60.02
sustainable. The overall score for the FSI (also on
11 United States of America 58.86
Paul Crewe, head of sustainability, engineering Jack Macy, senior co-ordinator for commercial a scale of 0 to 100) is calculated from a weighted
and environment, Sainsbury’s waste, San Francisco City County average of the category scores. 12 Ethiopia 58.66
13 China 57.50
Ragan Dickens, director of sustainability John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer, For the purposes of this study, sustainability refers
14 Argentina 55.22
communications, Walmart United Technologies Corporation to the ability of the food system to be maintained
without depletion and exhaustion of its natural 15 Mexico 54.90
Shenggen Fan, president, International Food Bonnie McClafferty, director, agriculture and resources or compromises to its health and 16 South Africa 54.67
Policy Research Institute nutrition, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition integrity.
17 Nigeria 54.25
Lorin Fries, director of global food systems, Marie Mourad, researcher, Paris Institute The following 25 countries were assessed. They 18 Russia 53.74
World Economic Forum of Political Studies form the Group of 20 (G20) largest economies,
19 Turkey 52.96
which account for 85% of global GDP and two-
Guillaume Garot, member of the French National Kanayo Nwanze, president, International Fund thirds of the global population, plus five nations 20 Brazil 51.86
Assembly for Agricultural Development from regions otherwise unrepresented 21 Indonesia 50.77
(Nigeria, Ethiopia, Colombia, the UAE and Israel).
22 United Arab Emirates 49.29
Greg S Garrett, director of food fortification, Robert Reed, public relations manager, Recology
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition The Economist Intelligence Unit, with the BCFN 23 Egypt 48.85
David Rosenberg, CEO, Aerofarms Foundation, has also initiated a pilot project on 24 Saudi Arabia 47.43
Boitshepo Bibi Giyose, senior nutrition officer urban food systems. This indicator-level analysis
25 India 43.17
for policy and programmes, nutrition division, Richard Swannell, director of sustainable food is called City Monitor. It is intended to be a first
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) systems, WRAP step in assembling a set of indicators to understand
the dynamics of urban food systems through data
Craig Hanson, global director of food, forests Tom Tomich, director, Agricultural Sustainability and policy assessments. In this pilot phase the The full index, including data
and water, World Resources Institute Institute, University of California, Davis 16 cities were selected on the basis of geographic sources, methodologies and
representation, data availability and their efforts interactive tools to explore
towards implementing sustainable urban food results, can be accessed on
The Economist Intelligence Unit bears sole responsibility for the content of this report.
The findings and views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN).
policies. www.foodsustainability.eiu.com
4 5
A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH
AN INDEX ON FOOD TO TACKLE FOOD CHALLENGES:
AND SUSTAINABILITY. WHY? THE MILAN PROTOCOL
T he Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition
(BCFN) Foundation is a private non-profit
institution. The multidisciplinary research
team includes researchers and professionals from
different fields, such as economics, nutrition, and
of the three ‘paradoxes’ that affect the global food
system began in 2014 with the development of the
Milan Protocol, and were further strengthened after
the United Nations identified the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as
T he Milan Protocol is a proposal for
a policy document on food, nutrition,
and sustainability, developed by the BCFN
Foundation in 2014. It encourages the commitment
of all stakeholders on three challenges that the food
presented. With the development of the Milan
Protocol, the BCFN Foundation has pioneered
a new way of creating a dialogue in the food and
nutrition sector, between academia, public and
private institutions, farmers, food companies, and
environmental and social sciences. The mission of Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for system is currently facing at the global level. consumers. Such an approach has the potential to
the BCFN, through research, dissemination, and Sustainable Development. The SDGs set the targets These three challenges are: become an accepted best practice in the field of food
public engagement, is to contribute to the shift that all countries in the world are called upon to sustainability.
towards more sustainable food systems. The global achieve by 2030. Food, nutrition, and sustainability 1. Current trends in food waste. Every year
challenges that relate to food and nutrition, health, are integral components of the SDGs that represent one-third of the global food production is For each of the above-mentioned paradoxes the
and sustainability are at the core of BCFN activities. the framework upon which the BCFN bases its wasted. Food waste corresponds to four BCFN has formulated a specific call to action for all
actions. Immediate action is needed to tackle times the amount needed to feed the people stakeholders in society. In 2015 the Milan Protocol
The rationale behind the development of the Food climate change and ensure sustainable agriculture, suffering from undernutrition worldwide; inspired the Milan Charter, a proposed global
Sustainability Index (FSI) with The Economist to improve nutrition and well-being in developing agreement to guarantee healthy, safe, and sufficient
Intelligence Unit (EIU) can be found in the and developed countries, and to address food loss 2. Challenges for sustainable agriculture. food for everyone, which was sought by the Italian
continuous effort of the BCFN to prompt the and waste. For each of these challenges the BCFN A large portion of crop and food production government as a legacy of Milan Expo 2015 and
engagement of civil society, policy makers, and is committed to raising public awareness and is funnelled into animal feed or biofuels, handed over to Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General
businesses on the food challenges that the world informing policy-making by providing scientifically despite widespread hunger and undernutrition; of the United Nations, in October 2015 on World
is now facing. This white paper is the outcome of sound analyses and data. Food Day. The purpose of the Milan Protocol is not
an iterative process of collaboration between the 3. The coexistence of hunger and obesity. only to generate awareness in current and future
BCFN and EIU research teams. The FSI is a means Over the past few years a number of publications For every person suffering from undernutrition generations on the state of our food system, but
to analyse the progress of 25 countries in the world have been released and are available for free there are two who are overweight or obese. also to play a major role in the public agendas of
vis-à-vis three main challenges with which the global download at the BCFN website. The annual report countries all over the world by inspiring concrete
food system is currently confronted: sustainable on the Nutritional and Environmental Double The Milan Protocol is the result of a bottom-up actions that lead to the formulation of new policies
agriculture, nutrition, and food waste. The objective Pyramid can be considered as the flagship of the approach, carried out by first identifying the latest and solutions for a more sustainable future.
of the FSI is fourfold: foundation, showing a direct correlation between scientific evidence and the most representative
the nutritional value of food and its impact on the case studies. It drew upon the opinions of 500 On 1 January 2016, the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda
• to highlight the performance of countries environment. The message conveyed is simple and international experts, and its supporters and for Sustainable Development—adopted by world
• to establish a comparable benchmark straightforward: a diet that is healthy for people is endorsers contributed to our call to action with leaders in September 2015 at the UN Sustainable
• to offer examples of best practices at the also healthy for the planet. The database on which original research papers, as well as quotes and Development Summit—officially came into force.
national and city levels the Double Pyramid is based contains more than endorsements. Simultaneously, an online platform Over the next 14 years these new goals, which apply
• to measure progress over time. 1,300 entries. Relevant BCFN publications include was created (www.milanprotocol.com) that received to all countries, will mobilize efforts to end all forms
the position papers on food and well-being, food and the support and comments of more than ninety of poverty, fight inequalities, and tackle climate
The FSI is a tool for policymakers and experts to health, sustainable agriculture, genetically modified organisations, institutions, and experts, and achieved change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.1
orient their action, for students to be educated, organisms and biotechnologies in agriculture, more than 14,000 signatures through the online
and for the public to conscientiously adjust their sustainable diets, and water resources. petition. The final wording of the Milan Protocol The BCFN is an active stakeholder in this global
behaviour for the good of our health and our planet. Find out more at www.barillacfn.com. was produced after a stakeholder workshop held in mobilisation, by taking the Milan Protocol a step
The BCFN’s efforts in contributing to the tackling Milan in October 2014. By allowing the involvement forward and becoming a leading and reliable voice
of all sectors of society, the published document was on issues of food sustainability and nutrition.
the product of a holistic approach to the paradoxes
6 7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS FOOD, NUTRITION, AND THE SDGS
The world’s food system is facing unprecedented Collectively these problems were reflected in the 17
SDG FOOD SYSTEM CHALLENGES
challenges. The global population is set to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2013
8.1 billion in 2025, with 95% of population growth Agenda for Sustainable Development, which build
driven by developing countries. The food system on the success of the Millennium Development SDG 2: To end hunger and • Access to affordable and nutritious food
must ensure this growing population has access Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all all forms of malnutrition by • Food fortification and vitamin supplementation programmes
to the nutrition it needs to flourish, especially as forms of poverty. Six of these SDGs clearly highlight 2030 to needy populations
climate change re-shapes agricultural production. the central role of food and nutrition to many of
This means tackling the twin nutritional challenges the key development indicators from health and
facing the world: hunger and nutrient deficiencies, wellbeing through to inequality, sustainability and SDG 3: To ensure health and • Early years’ nutrition education for mothers
along with unhealthy diets and obesity. environmental protections. well-being for all, at every • Encouraging exclusive breastfeeding
stage of life • Regulating marketing and sale of obesogenic foods
The international community must also reduce To attain the SDGs related to food and nutrition, • Public education campaigns on optimal diets
the environmental damage caused by agriculture, wide-ranging reforms, investments and innovations
in terms of emissions, ground pollution and will be needed. This includes fighting food waste
deforestation, and tackle the scourge of food loss and food loss, promoting knowledge and technology- SDG 10: Reduced inequalities • Nutritional deficits in the early years of life can cause lifelong
and food waste. Millions of tonnes of food are lost sharing practices for agricultural producers, investing deficits such as stunting and impaired cognitive development,
or wasted every year at the farm, retailer and in farm-to-market infrastructures in developing deepening inequality cycles as malnourished children are
consumer level. countries, and advancing research and development unable to participate in the labour force
(R&D) into new techniques and technologies to
improve yield and lower environmental impact.
SDG 12: To ensure • Sustainable use of arable land
sustainable consumption • Sustainable water management practices
and production patterns • Limiting agriculture-related pollution and emissions
SDG 13: Take urgent action • Agriculture is both a cause of climate change, through the
to combat climate change emissions it produces, and a victim as changes in temperature
and its impacts and rainfall impact crop growth and agricultural productivity
SDG 15: To protect, restore, • Managing deforestation related to food and non-food activities,
and promote sustainable use including livestock, soy, and biofuels
of terrestrial ecosystems, • Lower use of harmful chemicals and related substances
sustainably manage forests, in agriculture
combat desertification,
halt and reverse land
degradation, and halt
biodiversity loss
8 9
INDEX HIGHLIGHTS: COUNTRY & REGIONAL ANALYSIS
NORTH AMERICA EUROPE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
The US scores poorly for food waste and the France tops the FSI ranking overall, largely African nations have the least transparent property- nutrition despite a decade of solid economic
prevalence of people who are overweight, but supported by its holistic policy response to food rights systems and the weakest protections growth, and improved life expectancy across most
there are policy responses to both. The two most waste and the high nutrition levels enjoyed by its for smallholders regarding land acquisitions. countries, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt and South
worrying scores in the US are food waste per population. Italy scores in the top tier for its policy Smallholders dominate agricultural production in Africa score in the bottom six for prevalence of
person and the prevalence of overweight; response to food loss and is the best-performing Sub-Saharan Africa, but in the three FSI countries under and malnourishment, and Ethiopia has
it ranks third-worst for both. Policy momentum European country for the low environmental they face challenges related to security of land the highest undernourishment as a percentage
is building, though, with the US scoring positively impact of agriculture on the atmosphere. Germany tenure. Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia are of the population of the FSI index. South Africa,
for its policy responses to food loss (joint top) and leads the index for agricultural sustainability, the three lowest performers on quality of land despite being the most advanced economy in Sub-
unhealthy diets (joint top), and some cities, notably in particular due to its water-withdrawal ownership, which includes the degree of property Saharan Africa, scores 21st out of 25 for prevalence
San Francisco, are leading the way for sustainability and relatively low usage rights protection and the existence of laws of stunting among children, and prevalence of
their responses to food waste. of fertilisers and pesticides. to protect smallholder farmers. underweight among children.
LATIN AMERICA ASIA
Colombia scores highly (9th) for sustainable India’s food system faces the most severe
agriculture. Colombia scores in the top challenges of the group. India scores bottom
ten for sustainable agriculture, reflecting of the ranking, with serious problems across
strong performance on water management all three pillars of the index. The most notable
and environmental biodiversity, among deficits are its unsustainable water usage trends,
other indicators. Mexico also scores well for low-quality agricultural subsidies, and very poor
environmental biodiversity and water nutritional outcomes, with high levels of stunting,
management, for the quality of its agricultural underweight, and micronutrient deficiency,
subsidies, and for lower environmental impact of among children especially.
agriculture on land. Brazil scores low (22nd) for
environmental impact of agriculture on water, Japan tops the Asia group for nutrition and
in contrast, due to the heavy water footprint of its sustainable agriculture. Japan has the second
main crops and livestock, although it scores better strongest nutrition score, and ranks third for
(fifth) for agricultural water withdrawal THE sustainable agriculture.
as a percentage of total renewable water. GULF Unstable land
REGION tenure is detrimental to global Japan has particularly high scores for the quality of
Brazil, Argentina and Mexico score low for food security in several ways. By driving its land ownership laws, the fifth lowest greehouse
micronutrient deficiencies. The continent’s Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) farmers away from their land, it prevents them gas emissions from agriculture, the fifth lowest
performance was somewhat negative overall for rank worst for food waste, overweight, and obesity. from practicing agriculture and contributes to fertiliser emissions from agriculture as a percentage
nutrition, with Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil Saudi Arabia (25th) and the UAE (22nd) scores unsustainable levels of rural to urban migration, of total emissions, the third lowest prevalence
scoring in the bottom half of the group overall. among the lowest nations globally for food waste causing high levels of poverty amongst former of overweight, and the lowest micronutrient
Mexico came 21st for micronutrient deficiencies per person per year. Quantities of food wasted per farmers. It also deters farmers from long-term deficiencies globally. Its main challenge
and 20th for over-weight, indicating highly unequal person are highest in Saudi Arabia, at 427 kg, while investments in land or from investing in costly is demographic: it has the oldest average age
nutritional pathways. Food loss was a further area the UAE averages 196 kg. These two countries also yet productivity-boosting inputs. Transparent of farmers of the group, reflecting the
of concern, with Brazil ranking 24th overall. have the highest prevalence of overweight people approaches to land deals and acquisitions, with country’s older age profile.
with a body mass index (BMI) above 25, with the clear benefits for affected communities, would
UAE ranking 25th and Saudi Arabia 24th. help. Africa continues to struggle with under-
10 11
FINDINGS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
The world is running out of cultivable arable
NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES
Developing countries are experiencing
FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
Food loss and waste are ascending the
BY PILLAR land: meeting the world’s nutritional needs
means reducing food waste, developing more
“premature” obesity. Obesity rates are
increasing in low and middle income countries,
policy agenda; holistic legislation can help
strengthen efforts. Food waste has risen up the
sustainable techniques and technologies, especially among children, even as these policy agenda globally and was included in the
improving the efficiency of the food system, nations continue to experience hunger. SDGs. One country, France, has a truly holistic
and making careful choices about the use They are therefore facing a double burden of policy framework for eliminating food waste.
of land for food versus non-food crops. hunger and obesity, with increases in obesity- Its legislation includes legal obligations for
linked diseases, including type 2 diabetes, supermarkets to donate excess food to charities,
The world has a finite amount of cultivable cardiovascular disease and cancer. These bans on expiration dates for certain categories
agricultural land. Much is already under countries do not currently have the public- of goods such as wine and vinegar, education
cultivation or use, or suffering erosion or over- health resources to tackle such diseases in at the primary school level, and tax incentives.
use, and the quest for ‘new’ land is leading conjunction with communicable diseases Italy also scores highly in the index for its laws
to deforestation and displacement. and their other developmental challenges. that incentivise food donation. Other countries
Policy options to tackle obesity include can look to these for ideas and best practices
To feed a growing population we must reduce public education campaigns, tax measures on tackling food waste.
food loss and food waste and develop more on obesogenic foods and beverages, and
innovative technologies and techniques. restrictions on advertising of high-fat, high- Food retailers are stepping up to the
Countries and stakeholders must also make sugar or high-salt food to children. plate. The food retail industry is rising to
careful choices about the allocation of the challenge of food waste through several
agricultural land for direct human foods as Micronutrient deficiencies are measures: clearer expiration dates on produce,
opposed to non-food crops, notably biofuels. underestimated in many developing partnerships with charities to donate excess
In developing regions, institutional and countries. While levels of hunger are declining foods, and use of food waste as fuel are among
infrastructure reforms can also help strengthen globally, micronutrient deficiencies are very the measures used by the leading food system
efficiency, including more transparent land prevalent in developing countries and cause stakeholders. But legislation, following
rights, greater access to finance for the a range of diseases and disorders, including France’s lead, will help ensure these are not
agricultural sector, and stronger infrastructure anaemia, stunting, and night-blindness. Public disparate and one-off initiatives but part of
for storage, transport, and logistics, can help awareness campaigns—including those directed a comprehensive strategy to slash waste.
promote greater efficiency. Traditional forms of at government and public-sector stakeholders
agroecological knowledge and practices among to ensure they understand the social and Food loss in emerging markets comes from
indigenous agricultural communities, especially economic costs of micronutrient deficiencies— a range of sources, including infrastructure
on-farm/in-situ conservation and resource can help tackle the problem. deficits and vulnerability to environmental
management strategies, can also play a role in shocks. Poor road and transport systems,
the transition to more sustainable agriculture. The “megacities” of developing nations inadequate access to cool-chain technologies,
are contributing to obesity. Urbanisation in inadequate storage facilitates, and vulnerability
The agricultural sector must reduce logging developing countries is negatively influencing to shocks such as pests and droughts
and deforestation. Rates of deforestation are obesity rates. These megacities, with their are the drivers of food loss in developing
falling globally thanks to initiatives to regulate congestion, pollution, poor road safety and lack countries.
the logging sector. But increasing agricultural of open spaces, are unconducive to physical
commodities output for food and non-food exercise and increase people’s exposure to
production is threatening this progress, with unhealthy food marketing and processed foods.
deforestation advancing to clear land to Urban planners need to take into account how
cultivate a range of crops and foods. Palm oil, the urban environment shapes lifestyle choices
soybeans, and beef, as well as non-food crops over food consumption and diet.
for biofuels, are particularly prominent drivers.
12 13
CHAPTER 1: Sustainable Agriculture
SUSTAINABLE Competition for land
AGRICULTURE …for human food,
animal food and biofuels
Agriculture water withdrawal
(as a % of total renewable water resources)
INDEX HIGHLIGHTS INDEX SCORE Water Stress
Germany tops the FSI for sustainable agriculture 3.9 billion people
SCORE
RANK COUNTRY in river basins face severe
performance, with high rankings for its water (OUT OF 100) Egypt Saudi UAE
water stress by 2050
withdrawal sustainability and a relatively low 1 Germany 65.50 114.9% Arabia 2,208%
usage of fertilisers and pesticides. Canada 867.9%
2 Canada 62.35
scored second, with high scores for the quality
of agricultural subsidies, diversification of the 3 Japan 60.56
agricultural system, and agricultural productivity. 4 Australia 60.40 TOP PERFORMERS LOWEST PERFORMERS
5 Russia 60.16 Top 3 / Lowest 3 Performers 1. Germany 23. Egypt
Sustainable agriculture 2. Canada 24. United Arab Emirates
6 South Korea 60.02 3. Japan 25. India
The lowest performers were, from bottom,
India, the UAE and Egypt. For the UAE, water 7 Italy 59.81
scarcity and limited biodiversity, along with a
heavy environmental impact of agriculture on
8 United Kingdom 59.04
Responses
9 Colombia 59.01
land, contributed to a low score. India’s biggest
agriculture challenges include unsustainable water 10 Mexico 57.40
management, and the negative environmental 11 France 56.67
impact of agriculture on water. Quality of 12 Brazil 56.15
agricultural subsidies also scored low. Conservation Reduced use of Efficiency Investments in
13 Israel 56.02
of arable land fertilisers & pesticides in water use agricultural knowledge,
14 Turkey 55.18 science & technology
15 Argentina 55.00 Technology Frontiers
16 Indonesia 53.87
17 China 51.97 GPS-enabled
Satellites Big data
tractors
18 Ethiopia 50.96
19 United States of America 50.73
20 Nigeria 49.34 Genetic
Sensors Robots
21 Saudi Arabia 45.83 modification
22 South Africa 45.60
23 Egypt 44.83
Vertical Synthetic
Drones
24 United Arab Emirates 41.39 farming biology
25 India 40.51
Data from the Food Sustainability Index and index sources
14 15
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MEETING THE WORLD’S
AGRICULTURE FOOD NEEDS
The global population is set to reach 8.1bn in 2025, The expansion of the global middle classes is driving
S ustainable agriculture is understood to
be the efficient production of safe, healthy,
and high-quality agricultural products,
in a way that is environmentally, economically,
and socially sustainable. Such targets can be
• Encouraging the development of global
indicators measuring the economic,
environmental, and social performance of
different farming systems and their impact
on global sustainability targets;
with 95% of this growth occurring in developing
countries. The population of Sub-Saharan Africa is
expected to increase from 960m to 1.2bn, accounting
for around 50% of global population growth, while
Asia will contribute 40%.1
the conversion of forests to agriculture, says Duncan
Brack, environmental policy analyst and associate
fellow at Chatham House, a London-based think-
tank. Livestock, to provide protein, is one driver
of deforestation. “The richer you are, the more
achieved by protecting the natural environment • Investing in the human capital of farmers as likely you are to eat meat,” says Mr Brack. Livestock
and its resources, and mitigating climate change; stewards of the land, educating them about This population growth will occur alongside growing accounts for 17% of the world’s calorie intake,
by improving the social and economic conditions the economic and environmental benefits of wealth. Between 1970 and 2014 global GDP grew but total land dedicated to animal feed, including
of farmers, employees, and local communities; and sustainable agriculture; from US$3.4trn to US$76trn, led by Asia and the pastures, permanent meadows and crops, accounts
by safeguarding animal welfare for all farm species. • Striving to end land grabbing and to ensure land Pacific region (mainly China) with 6% growth.2 GDP for 80% of the agricultural land.5 The Food and
Productive and resource-efficient farming that is property rights, especially in middle- and low- per capita grew by 83% in Asia and 30% in Africa Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a United Nations
adapting to climate change needs to be implemented income countries; over the same period.3 agency, estimates that a 60% increase in global
by parties through the following actions: • Increasing the transparency of the food market, agricultural land will be needed to meet growing
working on a regulatory framework for financial Economic growth has not only translated into longer protein demand. Other estimates put that figure at
• Making biodiversity a priority, with special speculation on food commodities. and healthier lives for millions of people around over 100%.6 Dr Hill believes that protein production
attention to diversity within and between the world, it has also created new challenges for must double over the next 40 years to keep pace.
habitats for its contribution in providing In relation to these actions, the Milan Protocol the food system. Millions of people are undergoing Pasture expansion to enable production of beef is
alternative food sources for beneficial insects proposal also suggests: a “nutrition transition”, shifting their diets from now responsible for more than three-quarters of land
and natural enemies of crop pests; cereals, fruits and vegetables, to more meat, sugar, deforestation in Brazil, for instance.7
• Using ‘green accounting’ and ‘virtual water’ and a) Limiting the portion of first generation biofuels fats and processed foods.4 This places pressure on the
other effective multi-criteria tools to estimate from food crops in national renewable energy foundations of the food system because land, energy This robs the world of vital “carbon sinks” and
the value (monetary and non-monetary) targets to 5%; and water are inextricably linked in competition for increases methane emissions from the growing
of ecosystem services; b) Investigating the merits of relaxing or space and resources. numbers of livestock—they emit between 8% and
• Implementing agricultural practices that benefit suspending biofuel mandates, especially at times 18% of the world’s total greenhouse gases. In the
decarbonisation and adapt to the constraints of of agricultural price pressures; “A growing number of people in the developing FSI, China and India receive the lowest scores for
climate change, such as carbon sequestration; c) Considering more sustainable ways to feed world are eating more calorie-intense and protein- overall greenhouse gas emissions, with sources
• Reforming agricultural subsidies, to consider animals, such as pasture, grazing crops, agro- intense diets, which is a substantial issue that the including machinery, fertiliser, pesticides, enteric
the production capacity of farms and the by-products (even from biofuel crops), or food world is going to need to deal with,” says Dr Jason fermentation, soil erosion and their burgeoning
degree to which their agricultural methods waste; Hill, associate professor at the University livestock sectors, which can create methane
and local materials are sustainable, to preserve d) Reducing the use of antibiotics to a minimum of Minnesota. emissions and emissions related to the processes
and enhance the multiple services provided to avoid resistance to antibiotics and/or threats involved in growing animal feed crops.
by agriculture; to human health.
• Considering animal welfare issues,
by implementing more sustainable husbandry 1
OECD. “Global Food Security: Challenges for the Food and 4
J Pretty. “Agricultural Sustainability: Concepts, Principles and
practices that respect the five freedoms Agricultural System”. OECD Publishing, Paris. 2013. Available at: Evidence”. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264195363-en Biological Sciences 363.1491 (2008): 447.
of animals; 2
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, “Global 5
HLPE. “Sustainable agricultural development for food security
Trends in GDP and Agriculture Value Added (1970–2014)”. August and nutrition: what roles for livestock?”. HLPE, Rome. 2016.
2016. Accessed 2 September 2016. Available at: http://www.fao.org/ 6
OECD. “Global Food Security: Challenges for the Food and
economic/ess/ess-economic/gdpagriculture/en/ Agricultural System”. OECD Publishing, Paris. 2013. Available at:
3
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, “Global http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264195363-en;
Trends in GDP and Agriculture Value Added (1970–2014)”. August D Tilman, et al. “Global Food Demand and the Sustainable
2016. Accessed 2 September 2016. Available at: http://www.fao.org/ Intensification of Agriculture”. Proceedings of the National Academy
economic/ess/ess-economic/gdpagriculture/en/ of Sciences 108.50 (2011): 20260–20264.
16 17
LAND ACQUISITIONS
Meat is not the only food that has a high by 2050, with high demand coming from developing A further land-related challenge relates to land “Whether these acquisitions help or harm rural
environmental impact. Palm oil and soy are also countries,” notes Dr Shenggen Fan, president of the acquisition, especially overseas land acquisitions, populations depends on how the land is acquired,
replacing some forested land, says Chatham House’s International Food Policy Research Institute which increased after the food price spikes of what it is being used for, and whether there is strong
Mr Brack. Palm oil is one of the most utilised in Washington, DC. 2006–08. A number of countries, notably in the governance and policies to ensure that vulnerable
ingredients in the food system, found in around half Gulf region, acquired land overseas to produce members of society—particularly women and
of all packaged products sold in supermarkets and a By 2030 the water demand from farmers is expected food for their home markets. The UAE, Israel and indigenous people—are not marginalised,” says
major crop in Malaysia, Indonesia, and increasingly to increase by 45% as more shift from rain-fed to Saudi Arabia have the largest quantities of overseas Kanayo Nwanze, president of the International Fund
also in West Africa, while soybeans and beef are modern irrigation methods.9 Livestock places more arable land as a percentage of domestic arable land, for Agricultural Development (IFAD). “We have
drivers of deforestation in South America.8 strain on the world’s water resources: a kilogram of according to the FSI. seen that land acquisition associated with inclusive
beef takes 15,000 litres to produce.10,11 Meanwhile, agricultural investments can result in significant
Along with land, growing food production also some arid nations face particularly acute water stress In the process of acquiring overseas land, human and lasting benefits for small-scale producers and
puts pressure on available water. “Agriculture is when agricultural water withdrawal is measured as rights organisations claim some populations are rural communities. Large-scale investors can offer
the main user of freshwater on the planet,” says Dr a percentage of their total renewable water, notably being displaced and dispossessed, or else the developing countries much-needed capital, expertise,
Tom Tomich, director of the US-based Agricultural Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose agricultural acquisitions lead to productive enclaves which export market access and employment. This, in turn, can
Sustainability Institute. “Water demand from non- sectors use over 100% of their available renewable food while domestic populations go hungry. Such contribute to lasting social and economic benefits for
irrigation uses, such as domestic, industrial, and water resources. allegations were pronounced in Ethiopia, Sudan, poor rural communities.”
livestock, is projected to more than double Cambodia, and elsewhere.12
In the FSI, African nations have the least transparent
The issue was sufficiently grave as to incite 150 property-rights systems and the weakest protections
representatives of social movements, international for smallholders on the matter of land acquisitions.
AGRICULTURAL WATER WITHDRAWAL AS A PERCENTAGE organisations and governments to launch, back Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia are three of the
OF TOTAL RENEWABLE WATER RESOURCES in 2011, the “Tirana Declaration”. The signatories bottom five countries for property rights protection,
pledged to place “small-scale producers, agricultural and the bottom three in terms of policies to protect
labourers, indigenous peoples and landless rural smallholders against land grabbing.
and urban poor at the centre of efforts to overcome
structural food and environmental crises”.
TOP PERFORMERS LOWEST PERFORMERS
GERMANY 0.14% ISRAEL 57%
CANADA 0.16% EGYPT 114.9%
COLOMBIA 0.27% SAUDI ARABIA 867.9%
RUSSIA 0.29% UAE 2,208%
7
D Boucher, et al. “The root of the problem: what’s driving 9
The Economist, “No Easy Fix”, 24 February 2011. Accessed on 2
tropical deforestation today?”. The Union of Concerned Scientists September 2016. http://www.economist.com/node/18200678
publishing. 2011. http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/ 10
The Economist, “No Easy Fix”, 24 February 2011. Accessed on 2
assets/documents/global_warming/UCS_RootoftheProblem_ September 2016. http://www.economist.com/node/18200678 12
European Parliament. “Addressing the Human Rights Impact of Land-
DriversofDeforestation_FullReport.pdf 11
M Herror and P Thorton. “Livestock and global change: emerging grabbing”, Directorate General for External Policies. 2014. http://
8
World Wildlife Fund, Retrieved from: http://www.worldwildlife.org/ issues for sustainable food systems” Proceedings of the National www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2014/534984/EXPO_
pages/which-everyday-products-contain-palm-oil Academy of Sciences 110.52 (2013): 20878-20881. STU(2014)534984_EN.pdf
18 19TIME FOR “AGRI-TECH”? TECHNOLOGY FRONTIERS
It is clear that finding new land will not solve the GPS-enabled tractors £854 annually (about US$1,000).18 American farm GET VERTICAL:
food production problem but, thankfully, this Sensors productivity has grown by almost two-thirds since AEROFARMS
was never the biggest driver of increased output. Multispectral analysis the mid-1980s, when GPS first became available to
Production increases have tended to come from Drones farmers.19 GPS-enabled tractor use increased from Perhaps the most advanced form of precision
innovation rather than land expansion: 77% of the Satellites 4% in 2004 to 83% in 2015, while aerial imagery agriculture is a branch of production called
growth in crop production between 1961 and 2005 Robots (likely through drone use) has increased from 16% aeroponics or vertical farming, where
came from yield growth, and only 14% from the Big data to 51%.20 “Precision agriculture, including the use of crops are grown in vertical stacks of plant
expansion of arable land.13 Decision-support systems satellites and sensors, helps farmers optimise their beds using artificial sunlight, water, and
Vertical farming use of fertiliser and other inputs to maximise yields soil. Sensors take in large amounts of data,
In rich countries, yield growth can come from and reduce nutrient runoff,” says Jill Kolling. allowing growth to be monitored and
technologies such as the emerging field of precision Precision agriculture (PA) is coming into greater tweaked precisely.
agriculture.14,15 Some developing nations can greatly focus. It incorporates remote sensors, GPS-enabled In conclusion, land expansion alone will not
AeroFarms, based in New Jersey, US, grows
increase agricultural growth through institutional machinery and big data to record soil fertility suffice to feed a growing population. Much of the
more than 20 types of leafy greens in rigidly
reforms and infrastructure development. disparities and growth rates, examine plants for world’s fertile land is already under cultivation or
controlled settings. LED lights mimic certain
Consolidating smallholders’ access to land, in problems and locate disease outbreaks. Based usage, and the quest for “new” land is leading to
types of sunlight wavelengths, nutrient-rich
particular, will incentivise producers to invest more on this information farmers can more accurately deforestation and displacement. Technology will
mist is sprayed directly onto the roots of the
in their plots. Improved infrastructure—covering and efficiently provide the necessary pesticide or deliver the greatest gains. Precision agriculture,
plants, and sensors send over 30,000 data
transport and information infrastructures—can nutrient to each plant, reducing the total amount new seed varieties, synthetic biology and novel
points to a central computer to be analysed
also bring large gains. Poor transport infrastructure used and thereby simultaneously saving money techniques such as aeroponic agriculture are among
and tweaked by algorithms. The firm believes
limits the access of farmers to markets (local and and minimising environmental harm. the many promising production innovations. In
that it will increase crop yields by as much as
international), which in turn makes them less likely developing regions output can also be raised through
70 times compared with traditional fields.
to seek major yield growth. Satellite imaging and data technologies are institutional reforms, including clearer land rights,
being applied to a growing range of agricultural greater access to finance and stronger logistics CEO David Rosenberg says: “AeroFarms
While transport and information infrastructures sustainability problems, says Jill Kolling, senior infrastructures. grown crops are using 95% less water, 50%
are more serious challenges for smallholders than director of sustainability at Cargill. “Satellite imaging Increasing yields and productivity will have to less fertiliser and zero pesticides, herbicides
for larger agricultural players, experts agree that technology helps monitor deforestation rates in the reconcile with environmental sustainability and the and fungicides,” while also “producing up to
smallholder agriculture will remain critical for food Brazilian Amazon and drones are being used on preservation of farming communities, particularly 30 annual harvests, compared to a traditional
output in developing regions, especially Africa and farms for crop imaging. We have also been testing in the global South. Investments in agricultural farm that may produce three harvests in
Asia. “In many emerging countries smallholder the use of drones on our palm oil plantations in knowledge, science and technology (AKST) would a good year.” Other costs may be higher,
farmers play a big role in agricultural production— Indonesia to help monitor land use and aid yield respond to environmental concerns and at the same however. LED lights are left on 24/7, which
they provide up to 80% of the food supply in Asia, intensification efforts.” time ensure producers’ income, responding could generate up to ten times the carbon
for example,” says Dr Fan. “However, smallholders to growing pressures on natural resources, degraded footprint of traditional farms.21 However,
are faced with several challenges, such as limited Farmers using PA are beginning to enjoy tangible soils and ecosystems, loss of biodiversity. Simple LED lighting is becoming more efficient:
access to productivity-enhancing technologies and results. German agriculturalists have reduced technology transfer, in fact, will not suffice between 2012 and 2014 efficiency increased
infrastructure and distorted land tenure systems, fertiliser application by 10-15% without reducing if producers will not participate in selecting by 50% and is expected to increase another
which impair agricultural productivity.” There are yield.16 Almost a quarter of British farms now use approaches that are appropriate to their specific 50% by 2020.22
many technologies deployed in the agricultural PA.17 Nesta, a think-tank, estimates that smart circumstances and tailored to sustainability
sector today (see table). (GPS-enabled) tractors alone save British farmers and development, further to productivity.
16
Directorate-General for Internal Policies “Precision agriculture: 20
J Lowenberg-DeBoer. “The precision agriculture revolution”. Foreign
an opportunity for EU farmers – potential support with the CAP Affairs. May/June 2015.
13
J Bruinsma. “The Resource Outlook to 2050: By how much do land, K Deininger and D Byerlee, “The rise of large farms in land abundant 2014–2020”. June 2014. 21
L Garfield. “Inside the world’s largest vertical farm, where plants stack
water and crop yields need to increase by 2050?” In Expert Meeting on countries: do they have a future?”. World Bank Policy Research 17
Directorate-General for Internal Policies “Precision agriculture: 30 feet high”. Tech Insider. 15 March 2016. Accessed 2 September
How to Feed the World in 2050. June 2009. pp. 1–33. ftp://ftp.fao.org/ Working Papers. March 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450- an opportunity for EU farmers – potential support with the CAP 2016.
docrep/fao/012/ak542e/ak542e06.pdf 5588 2014–2020”. June 2014. 22
US Energy Information administration. “LED light bulbs keep
14
A Channing, et al, “Malawi’s farm subsidy benefits the poor but doesn’t 15
W Klümper, M Qaim. A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically 18
Nesta, “Precision agriculture: almost 20% increase in income possible improving in efficiency and quality”. 4 November 2014. Accessed 2
come cheap”, The Conversation. 11 September 2015. Accessed 2 Modified Crops. PLOS ONE. 2014. 9(11). http://journals.plos.org/ from smart farming”. 9 October 2015. Accessed 2 September 2016. September 2016.; US Energy Information Administration. “LED bulb
September 2016. http://theconversation.com/malawis-farm-subsidy- plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111629 19
L Whipker, J Akridge. “2006 Precision Agricultural Services Dealership efficiency expected to continue improving as cost declines”.
benefits-the-poor-but-doesnt-come-cheap-46561; Survey Results”. Staff Paper. 2006. pp 3–10. 19 March 2016. Accessed 2 September 2016.
20 21CHAPTER 2: Nutritional Challenges
NUTRITIONAL The prevalence of
underweight has dropped …while global obesity has
CHALLENGES
14.6% since 1975… tripled since 1965 14.9%
13.8%
10.8%
9.7%
8.8%
6.4%
INDEX RESULTS INDEX SCORE 3.2%
Female
France, Japan and South Korea scores top SCORE 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Male
RANK COUNTRY
in the index for nutrition. France’s leadership (OUT OF 100)
position is driven by high rates of nutritional 1 France 72.05
adequacy among its population and low rates of Undernutrition Obesity & Overweight
2 Japan 70.27
nutritional deficiency, including micronutrient Nutrition-related factors In developing countries,
deficiency. Japan’s score partly reflects its low levels 3 South Korea 69.60 contribute to 45% of deaths child and adolescent
in children under 5. overweight has increased
of micronutrient deficiency and low rates of obesity. 4 Israel 66.98 8.1% to 12.9% in boys,
and 8.4% to 13.4% in girls.
5 Colombia 65.64 Prevalence of Undernourishment
6 United Arab Emirates 65.55 (% of population)
Countries with the biggest nutritional challenges Prevalence of Overweight
are India, Nigeria and South Africa. India has a high 7 United Kingdom 64.86 (BMI>25)
Colombia
rate of nutritional deficiency, and high prevalence of 8 Italy 64.37 Ethiopia 8.8%
under- and malnourishment, while South Africa has 32%
9 China 64.19 China
a high adoption of fast foods, and limited purchasing 9.3%
power for buying healthy foods. 10 Canada 63.52
11 Germany 63.06 India
15.2%
12 United States of America 60.44 USA Saudi Arabia UAE
67.3% 69.6% 74%
13 Saudi Arabia 58.96
14 Ethiopia 58.60
15 Argentina 57.95
16 Australia 57.34
TOP PERFORMERS LOWEST PERFORMERS
17 Brazil 57.03 Top 3 / Lowest 3 Performers 1. France 23. South Africa
18 Indonesia 56.79 Nutritional challenges 2. Japan 24. Nigeria
3. South Korea 25. India
19 Turkey 55.39
20 Russia 54.84
21 Egypt 54.57 Responses
22 Mexico 53.33 Education Low sugar, Restricting
D A C
Food campaigns, low fat and advertising
B1
23 South Africa 53.22 K fortification especially for low salt products of junk food
B2 mothers & children alternatives to children
24 Nigeria 52.91
25 India 45.04 UNDERNUTRITION OBESITY & OVERWEIGHT
Data from the Food Sustainability Index and index sources
22 23ERADICATING HUNGER
AND FIGHTING OBESITY
Food production is one of the three pillars explored deaths of more than 3m children under the age of
T oday 795 million people suffer from under
nutrition globally,23 while over 2.1 billion
people24 are obese or overweight, and the
numbers continue to rise in epidemic proportions.
The Milan Protocol recognised that it is necessary to
Parties also call for the implementation of actions
to halt the rise in obesity, ensuring that there is
no increase in childhood overweightness and no
increase in adolescent and adult obesity by 2025.
The SDG 3—to ensure healthy lives and promote
in the FSI. Nutrition is equally important. Today two
very different nutritional challenges face the world:
continued hunger and malnourishment, and growing
obesity and overweightness. Both have long-term
consequences for public health systems, mortality,
five.29 In 2010, 104m children across the world were
underweight.30 Countries like Indonesia (36.4%)
and India (38.7%) suffer from especially high rates
of “stunting”, or physical underdevelopment, even as
they post impressive economic growth figures.31 In
account for differences and to develop more specific well-being for everyone at all ages—and SDG 12— life chances and economic productivity. Sustainable absolute terms, the number of hungry people in the
national targets.25 Parties call for the eradication of to ensure sustainable consumption and production Development Goal 2 pledges to end hunger and all world has dropped to 795m—a reduction of 216m
hunger and undernutrition. The actions identified patterns26 —affirm once again how human diet forms of malnutrition by 2030. It also commits to compared with 1990-92.32
are: and nutrition, by their very nature, affect the well- universal access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food
being of people, and that eating well is a key factor at all times of the year. However, it should be noted that these figures mask
a) Following the new global paradigm for to improved health. The actions identified have important nuances. Firstly, much of the reduction
development, laid out in the SDGs, to: anticipated and are perfectly in line with the SDG As Hannah Brinsden and Tim Lang reflect in their is the result of gains in specific, large countries
targets to be completed by 2030, and include: review of the Second International Conference (notably China). Secondly, while the number of
• Provide all populations with year-round access on Nutrition in November 2014: “The societal individuals whose annual calories are inadequate
to adequate, safe, and nutritious food; a) To promote a culture of prevention on the awareness of the enormity of the food and health may have fallen, some of those individuals may face
role of nutrition for health, including among challenge is spreading… Even poor countries now periods of inadequate nutrition, for instance between
• End undernutrition; vulnerable populations, and encouraging acknowledge rising obesity. Concern about the harvests.
responsible and healthy diets and lifestyles; tsunami of ‘non-food’ foods washing over the world
• Make food production systems more productive, and distorting diets also grows, fuelled by experience The FSI highlights India and Ethiopia as the
efficient, sustainable, and resilient; secure b) To encourage physical activity as a crucial of the wiles of marketing.”27 lowest-performing nations for undernourishment
access for small food producers and youth. component to a healthy lifestyle; (see table), and several fast-growing countries, or
Hunger is thankfully a diminishing problem. nations with a higher income level, are also affected.
Eliminating chronic undernourishment by 2030 c) To improve food system governance. Between 1975 and 2014 the prevalence of The scores for Sub-Saharan African nations are
is a key element of the proposed SDG 2—to end underweightness dropped from 13.8% in men and particularly low for stunting of children under five,
hunger, achieve food security and improved The rise in overweight and obesity and their effect 14.6% in women to 8.8% and 9.7% respectively.28 with three of the bottom five countries hailing from
nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. as risk factors for non-communicable diseases is But undernutrition still contributes annually to the the continent.
It is to be adopted by the international an extremely urgent and serious issue that requires
community and it is also at the heart of the immediate intervention. The growing necessity for
Zero Hunger Challenge promoted by the UN a balanced relationship with food calls for strategies
Secretary-General. to pursue food security goals and envision a new 23
World Food Programme data: Available at: http://www.wfp.org/hunger 28
“Trends in adult body-mass index in 200 countries”. The Lancet.
24
The Lancet. Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight April 2016. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/
concept of well-being. It is a complex challenge and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic PIIS0140-6736(16)30054-X/abstract
b) Endeavour to make equity intrinsic to economic that cannot be addressed in isolation. The BCFN analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet, 29
“Nutrition: A quintessential sustainable development goal”.
development; encourages inter-ministerial collaboration for a Volume 384, Issue 9945, August 2014. Pp. 766–781. The Lancet. June 6, 2013, http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/
25
Massari, S. and Allievi F. (2016). The Milan Protocol: Challenges lancet/PIIS0140-6736(13)61100-9.pdf, p. 371
holistic approach to nutrition and to deal effectively and Promises for a Better Future. Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary 30
“Nutrition Challenges”. World Health Organization. 2016.
c) End cyclical and chronic undernutrition with the challenges on a regulatory level. Creating Journal, 6 (2), 1-13. http://www.who.int/nutrition/challenges/en/
26
Sustainable Development Goals. Available at: http://www.un.org/ 31
“From Promise to Impact: Ending Malnutrition by 2030”. Global
through direct and indirect actions; a common language is the first step in this platform sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/ Nutrition Report. 2016. http://ebrary.ifpri.org/utils/getfile/collection/
of collaboration. 27
H Brinsden, T Lang. “Reflecting on ICN2: was it a game changer?”. p15738coll2/id/130354/filename/130565.pdf, p. 120
d) Make undernutrition visible as a preventable Archives of Public Health. 2015. https://archpublichealth. 32
“World hunger falls to under 800 million, eradication is next “, FAO
biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13690-015-0091-y media notice> Retrieved from: goal http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/
crisis. item/288229/icode/
24 25You can also read
