Conflict's impacts on food systems: Mapping available evidence of interactions

Abstract

This scoping study maps the conflict and food systems nexus to identify broad themes, specific components and remaining gaps in research. Applying systems thinking and network analysis, the analysis points to three trends. First, studies are heavily focused on production, with relatively less attention to aspects including transport, trade and household utilisation. Second, geographically, food systems within Africa and at country-level are well-represented in existing research, at the expense of other regions and scales. Third, specific modalities of violence are often omitted, and we observe a tendency to aggregate discrete forms of insecurity. The study has implications for scholars and practitioners seeking to better understand and respond to conflict's impacts on food systems and suggests avenues for further research.