Synthetic pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers are deeply embedded in industrial food systems, linking fossil fuel dependence to environmental degradation, human health risks and pressure on farmers’ livelihoods. Published in October 2026 by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Toxic Dependency: How Agrochemicals Lock In Food System Vulnerability examines how these inputs reinforce vulnerabilities across food, energy, health and ecological systems. Drawing on contributions from 29 expert partners, including researchers, farmer movements, Indigenous organizations and civil society networks, the compendium brings together evidence on the environmental, health, social and economic costs of agrochemical dependence. It reports that global pesticide use has more than doubled since 1990, while synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use has increased eightfold since the 1960s.

The analysis identifies four structural barriers that perpetuate this dependence: corporate concentration, technological pathways that sustain chemical use, public policies and financial incentives, and dominant narratives that marginalize alternatives. It highlights how degraded soils, health impacts and economic pressures can reinforce reliance on synthetic inputs, limiting farmers’ ability to transition to alternative practices.

The compendium proposes four interconnected pathways for action: expanding the evidence base and reframing narratives; aligning policy, regulation and finance; rebalancing power and strengthening accountability; and co-creating enabling conditions for agrochemical transitions. It draws attention to approaches ranging from regenerative practices and certified organic agriculture to agroecology, highlighting initiatives such as Andhra Pradesh’s natural farming programme in India and Brazil’s school food procurement programme. Addressed particularly to funders, policymakers and advocates, the resource calls for coordinated investment and collaboration to support more resilient, equitable and ecologically sound food systems.