How are Countries Building Sustainable Food Systems?

Sustainable irrigation is proven crucial for ensuring food and water security throughout the world.

Fremont, CA: COVID-19 poses a hazard to food systems by impairing purchasing power and the capacity to produce and transport food, which disproportionately impacts the most disadvantaged communities. COVID-19 may result in additional millions of people suffering from malnutrition by 2020. One of the most significant concerns is how countries can build sustainable agriculture that produces enough nutritious food in appropriate quantities.

However, establishing sustainable agriculture entails going beyond nutrition and food security. Additionally, we must examine the farming methods' environmental, social, and economic impacts. More focus should be made on obtaining protein supplies, particularly as more consumers desire sustainable food with a low environmental impact. This is why the demand for plant-based meat-like foods (PBMs), cultured meats, and land-based aquaculture is increasing.

Building sustainable food systems

Sustainable food systems depend on various elements, including soil and land use, breeding and agriculture, and harvesting. Technological innovation is a vital enabler for each of them. However, achieving sustainable food systems requires more than just changing the way food is produced. Marketing and consumption issues must also be addressed. For instance, which benefits can be realized through the application of technological advancements that secure produce traceability or the re-use of food waste? And how may excess food consumption be reduced without wasting food?

Technological advancements provide solutions to all of these issues, particularly those relating to the production, marketing, and consumption of food. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and big data can assist in the creation of monitoring capabilities and platforms that will aid in the development of sustainable food systems.

Sustainable irrigation is crucial for achieving food and water security throughout the world. Even while technology solutions with great water-saving potential have existed for some time, scaling them up has proven difficult in a variety of hydrogeological and socioeconomic contexts.

As a result, the majority of regions continue to experience inefficient irrigation water use. Enhancing that efficiency entails more than the implementation of technologies. It will require a synergy of technologies and best practices, as well as sound regulations and long-term financing structures, as well as inclusive water management.