Agrifood Systems

A range of pressures including rapid population growth, urbanization, growing wealth and consequent changes in consumption patterns, are challenging our agrifood systems’ ability to provide nutritious food, and to contribute to enhanced livelihood opportunities  in an environmentally sustainable way. Our agrifood systems are contributing to, and affected by, extreme weather events as associated with climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Responding to these challenges requires a systems-based approach that addresses the range and complexities in a holistic and sustainable manner.

A sustainable agrifood system is one that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generation is not compromised. This means that it is profitable throughout, ensuring economic sustainability, it has broad-based benefits for society, securing social sustainability, and that it has a positive or neutral impact on the natural resource environment, safeguarding the sustainability of the environment.

Developing sustainable food value chains - Practical guidance for systems-based analysis and design
This brief outlines a rigorous and standardized approach for value chain analysis and design, taking a systems perspective to analyse and influence the behaviour and performance of value chain actors...
Green growth: strategies and actions to shift towards sustainable agrifood systems in the Mediterranean region
During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 12 September 2023, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared knowledge and concrete experiences about the challenges and opportunities in...
20 Mar 2024
SFS-MED webinar n. 7 - Blue Transformation: strategies and actions for more sustainable agrifood systems in the Mediterranean
23 Sep 2024
Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow...

Tune in to the FAO talks podcast with Corinna Hawkes, Director of FAO’s Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety, to look at how agrifood systems play vital roles in our lives, ensuring our health and wellbeing, and make a major impact on the environment...

Listen to More Podcasts

  • The Podcast Series Towards sustainable agrifood systems showcases good practices that promote the transformation towards more sustainable agrifood systems. It includes conversations with researchers, public sector officials, development specialists, and private sector representatives.