FAO Investment Centre

Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI)

EU co-funded ENG
SASI logo

Agrifood systems concern the way our food is produced, processed, transported, traded, distributed, consumed and disposed of. Population growth, urbanization, shifting wealth and changing consumption patterns are straining these systems, jeopardizing their ability to provide healthy food and sustainable livelihoods.

Agrifood systems produce about one- third of global greenhouse gas emissions and consume large amounts of natural resources, especially water. They also contribute to critical biodiversity loss and land degradation, threatening the very existence of agriculture for future generations. All this underscores the urgent need to sustainably transform agrifood systems.  

At a glance

  • FAO, the European Union and the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) launched the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation Initiative (SASTI) in 2020 to conduct large-scale agrifood system assessments and consultations in nearly 50 countries. This effort gathered evidence and knowledge around four core goals: food security, nutrition and health; inclusive economic growth; territorial development and equity; and the environment.
  • They published 41 country profiles stemming from these assessments, which help to identify entry points for innovative policy and investment solutions. 
  • FAO, the European Union and Agrinatura – a consortium of European research institutions – initiated a new phase known as Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI). The goal is to improve the availability of knowledge and guidance on the institutions, policies and investments needed to accelerate the transition to sustainable agrifood systems.
  • Building on these assessments, the FAO Investment Centre is working with countries to support institutional platforms to address the diverse challenges and opportunities in transitioning to sustainable agrifood systems, with an emphasis on evidence-based data, collective problem solving, strengthened capacities and strategic communication. This work is now under way in Bhutan, Colombia and Sierra Leone.

 

Related links

Latest stories
18/11/2024

A concrete action plan was recently designed to strengthen the food value chain by better linking farmers to markets and enhancing capacities for food production and processing in Sierra Leone.

Connecting local food production with consumer demand is at the heart of Pillar 3 of Sierra Le...

04/11/2024

“Do not be afraid to invest in consumers to help farmers.” That was the key message underlining the recent event organized by Agrinatura, the FAO Investment Centre and the European Union on the sidelines of the 52nd

Investing in agri-logistic infrastructure for greater market access in Bhutan
22/10/2024

A delegation from the Bhutanese Government led by H.E. Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, visited Rome’s wholesales market (Centro Agroalimentare di Roma – CAR) on 16 October 2024 to learn about its organization and business model.

10/10/2024
The FAO Investment Centre, the European Union and Agrinatura have supported the territories of Nariño Centro, Montes de María, Altiplano Cundiboyacense and Valle del Cauca.
Catalyzing the transition to sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems in Bhutan
06/08/2024
Building on its agrifood systems assessments and through its 13th Five Year Plan, the Government of Bhutan is engaged in a long-term transformation towards sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. The European Union, FAO and Agrinatura support this effort. What will it entail for the country?
Transitioning to sustainable agrifood systems in Colombia: a territorial focus on three regions
06/08/2024
As Colombia prepares its agrifood systems transformation, initial workshops with local agriculture and food stakeholders were organized in the three selected pilot territories of Nariño Centro, Montes de María, and the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. 
Climate Finance: an instrument for sustainable agrifood system transformation in Sierra Leone
05/08/2024
Agrifood systems are highly vulnerable to climate change. Accessing climate finance can help transition to more climate-resilient agricultural practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Government officials, development partners, financial institutions and civil society organizations in Sierra Leone participated in a two-day training on climate finance for agrifood systems.
Onion farmer in Sierra leone
04/06/2024
A wind of change is blowing in Sierra Leone, one that will help ensure the people’s access to more locally produced, sustainable and nutritious food. With the ‘Feed Salone Strategy’, the Government intends to mobilize investments to boost agricultural productivity as part of its plan to enhance food security and inclusive economic growth.
06/04/2023
The Government of Bhutan, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and the FAO Investment Centre participated at an InfoPoint event dedicated to discussing the state of play in Bhutan's food system.   During thi
19/10/2022
At the 2022 summit of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Kigali, Rwanda, 5-7 September 2022, the future of food systems in Africa was at the core of the debate. They are a fundamental part in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs
Latest publications
Food System Assessments
Food Systems Assessment: Liberia Country Profile
05/2024

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Liberia and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and...

Food System Assessments
Food Systems Assessment: Malawi Country Profile
09/2023

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Malawi and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and inclusive...

Food Systems Profile - Papua New Guinea
Food System Assessments
Food Systems Profile – Papua New Guinea
08/2023

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Papua New Guinea and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable...

Food System Assessments
Food Systems Assessment: Palestine Country Profile
06/2023

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Palestine and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and...

Food System Assessments
Food Systems Assessment: Uganda Country Profile
06/2023

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Palestine and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and...

Food System Assessments
Profil des systèmes alimentaires - Bénin
03/2023

L’impératif – et le défi - pour les systèmes alimentaires n’est pas seulement de produire des aliments pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle,...

Food System Assessments
Food Systems Assessment: Nigeria Country Profile
09/2022

This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Nigeria and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and...

Food System Assessments
Profil des systèmes alimentaires - Côte d'Ivoire
07/2022

Les systèmes alimentaires sont directement liés à la réalisation de l’ensemble des Objectifs du Développement Durable (ODD). L’impératif – et le défi...