Food for All: Setting the Scene

Abstract

Setting the scene, this chapter identifies key recent international agreements germane to the book’s subject matter-namely, Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Accord-against which the role of structural transformation and the five key international organizations concerned with food and agriculture are reviewed. Transformation of food and agriculture is occurring in the face of growing trade uncertainties, demographic transition, rapid urbanization, dietary transition, and growing horizontal (cross-sectoral) and vertical (from farm-to-fork) integration. Meanwhile, conflict has caused the largest displacement of humans since the Second World War. Forced migration arising from humanitarian disasters is making unprecedented demands on food and financial assistance. Economists traditionally have viewed structural transformation from agriculture to manufacturing as pivotal for developing countries, but it has become increasingly difficult for lagging countries. Other transformations are also reshaping the global economy, including financial transformation (a shift from traditional North–South global savings and investment pattern to South–North), and energy transformation (shift from fossil fuels to renewables). Concurrently, the food and agricultural sectors are confronting new paradigms-such as environmentally sustainable food production and shifting focus in agriculture from individual energy (calorie) supply to nutritious, healthful foods, leading to a life-cycle approach to diets-which are influencing how the international development community views structural transformation and the role of agriculture. This chapter sets the stage for inquiries into food, transformations, international organizations and their interactions, and implications for a better outcome: Nutritious food for all that is environmentally sustainable.