The call for agri-food system transformation is urgent in
many global development agendas (UN 2023).
Food systems have contributed to economic prosperity and feeding the
world, but they are also associated with numerous challenges, including climate
change, continued hunger, poor diets and malnutrition, and increasing
disparities (Webb et al. 2020; Fanzo et al.
2021). The vulnerabilities of food
systems have been further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical
disruptions, extreme weather events, and economic uncertainties (IPCC 2023;
FAO 2023). The rapid population growth,
urbanization and industrialization have also resulted in significant land and
water resource pressures, as well as food safety and security in many
developing countries.
Thus,
the
agri-food systems transformation should shift from addressing singular
dimension (e.g., grain supply or grain self-sufficiency) to achieving multiple
goals simultaneously, including nutrition, health, inclusion, environmental
sustainability and climate change (Fan et al. 2021).
There are several strategies that can be used for
achieving these multiple goals including access to modern technologies such as
internet, changing production structure, promoting more stable and resilient
income for farmers, implementing social programs to protect vulnerable
population, and of course continued technological and productivity improvement .
Under
this context, this special focus of the Journal of Integrative Agriculture is to provide empirical evidence on multiple win strategies
to achieve agri-food systems transformation. The issue comprises nine papers covering a
wide array of topics aimed at improved nutrition, sustainability inclusion and
continued efficiency or productivity improvement within the food system. We trust that these papers will enhance
readers’ comprehension of how food system transformation can contribute to
multiple dimensions of the food system’s goals.
