Agrifood

Agricultural and Food Systems

The global agricultural and food systems are at a critical juncture, facing unprecedented challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and the need for sustainable development.

These challenges were highlighted at the SDG Summit in September 2023, where global leaders emphasized the need to bridge gaps in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda set by the United Nations.

Science and evidence-based actions are indispensable for eradicating poverty, ending hunger, and ensuring environmental sustainability. As the world population continues to grow, innovative approaches are essential to ensure food security, health, and resilience in agrifood systems.

This report consolidates insights from various sessions focused on sustainability, agroecology, soil health, disease prevention, and the responsible use of pesticides, bringing together expertise from diverse sectors.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the sessions summarized in this report were:

1. Enhancing the role of science and innovation in achieving sustainable agrifood systems and contributing to the SDGs.
2. Reducing animal, plant, and soil diseases to improve food security and promote the One Health approach.
3. Promoting collaborative innovation among stakeholders from research institutions, governments, and the private sector to address climate change and other sustainability challenges.
4. Developing new risk assessment frameworks for pesticide impacts on human health and ecosystems.
5. Leveraging digital research infrastructures to improve food safety, traceability, and sustainability.

 

Implementing the SDGs

Agroecology, Innovation, and Sustainability in Agrifood Systems

Claudia Zoani from the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) discussed the crucial role of research infrastructures in supporting the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. Her presentation emphasized how METROFOOD-RI aims to integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions to address global challenges, particularly in food safety, bioeconomy, and industrial symbiosis.

Nastasia Belc of the Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Bioresurse Alimentare (IBA) highlighted the systemic importance of the One Health approach in achieving sustainable food systems. By integrating animal, human, and environmental health, her presentation focused on using participatory processes to address sustainability challenges.

Joris Van Loco from Sciensano shared insights on risk assessment of food contaminants and additives, detailing the role of scientific metrology in establishing health-based guidance values to protect consumers.

Project report: Agroecology, Sustainability and Innovation – a patway for the Agrifood

Soil Health, Diversified Crops, and Agricultural Productivity

In a session on soil health and sustainable agriculture, Dr. Rattan Lal, a Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University, emphasized the direct impact of soil management on achieving the SDGs. He called for the implementation of a Soil Health Act to reward sustainable soil practices that enhance ecosystem services.

Dr. Sieg Snapp from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) spoke on the importance of open science and knowledge sharing in improving environmental and food security. Her presentation illustrated examples from Nepal and Malawi, where inclusive decision-making has led to improved soil management practices.

Project report: Exploring the Nexus of Soil Health, Diversified Crops

Reducing Animal, Plant, and Soil Diseases: The One Health Approach

Dr. Mirinda van Kleef, convenor of a session on disease prevention, emphasized the need for proactive measures to control zoonotic diseases and improve food security. Presentations by Dr. Lia Rotherham and Dr. Ansa van Vuuren from the Agricultural Research Council focused on integrating animal and plant health measures to enhance resilience in agricultural systems.

Prof. Darrell Abernethy from Aberystwyth University discussed how the One Health approach can drive policy changes to optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

Dr. Samiran Banerjee from North Dakota State University presented on the interconnectedness of soil, plant, and human microbiomes, stressing the importance of soil health in achieving One Health outcomes.

Project report: Reducing Animal, Plant and Soil Diseases.

The Impact of Pesticides on Ecosystems and Human Health

Prof. Violette Geissen from Wageningen University led a session on the SPRINT project, which uses large-scale monitoring data to assess the impact of pesticide residues on ecosystems and human health. Her research demonstrated the widespread presence of pesticide mixtures in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, underscoring the need for new health risk indicators.

Nelson Abrantes from University of Aveiro explored the multifaceted effects of pesticides on aquatic ecosystems, while Benjamin Vervaet of University of Antwerp discussed how pesticide mixtures affect rodent health, highlighting the risks of cumulative pesticide exposure.

Project report: Good impact of Pesticides on Ecosystems and Human Health

Collaborative Innovations from Australian and Californian Agrifood Systems

Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and Matt Lowe from the Australian Department of Agriculture discussed collaborative approaches to achieving climate-smart agriculture and circular economy practices.

This collaboration was supported by the Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and California, signed to promote sustainable agrifood systems.

Project report: Collaborative Innovations from Australian and Californian Agrifood Systems

Contribution to the SDGs

The agrifood sector plays a fundamental role in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Claudia Zoani of ENEA highlighted the importance of research infrastructures in driving sustainable agrifood systems and achieving SDGs through scientific collaboration and citizen science. She emphasized that integrating cutting-edge technologies and cross-sectoral research initiatives can accelerate sustainable agricultural transformations.

Dr. Rattan Lal of The Ohio State University emphasized soil health as a crucial factor for food security and climate resilience, advocating for policies that incentivize farmers to adopt soil regeneration techniques, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage.

The SPRINT Project, led by Prof. dr. Violette Geissen of Wageningen University and Research, provides a comprehensive risk assessment of pesticides’ impact on ecosystems and human health, aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 15, by promoting policy interventions that restrict hazardous pesticide use and encourage alternative pest control methods.

Furthermore, the Australia-California partnership showcased by Karen Ross of CDFA and Matt Lowe of DAFF Australia underlines collaborative policy efforts to meet climate and sustainability targets in agriculture through research exchange and climate-smart innovations. These efforts demonstrate that achieving SDG targets requires systemic transformation, leveraging global cooperation, policy reforms, and scientific breakthroughs.

Economic, Social, and Environmental Impact

From an economic perspective, sustainable agrifood innovation fosters resilience, enhances productivity, and supports rural economies. Dr. Tebila Nakelse from the GAP Initiative highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in reversing agricultural productivity slowdowns by developing adaptive financing models and investing in local innovation. Access to capital and technology plays a crucial role in ensuring smallholder farmers benefit from agricultural advancements.

Socially, agroecological approaches such as those championed by Dr. Sieg Snapp of CIMMYT integrate indigenous knowledge and digital tools to empower farmers, improving knowledge transfer and fostering inclusive agricultural transformation. By bridging gaps between scientific knowledge and local farming practices, these initiatives contribute to community resilience and sustainable food production.

The One Health framework presented by Dr. Lia Rotherham of ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research links animal, plant, and human health, demonstrating the interconnectedness of sustainable food systems and advocating for holistic policy interventions that address zoonotic diseases and foodborne pathogens.

Environmentally, the SPRINT Project revealed that pesticide residues are present in various ecosystems, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and improved pesticide management strategies. Nelson Abrantes of University of Aveiro showed the negative impact of pesticide mixtures on aquatic life, reinforcing the urgency of transitioning to sustainable pest control, such as integrated pest management (IPM) approaches that reduce dependency on chemical interventions.

Enhancing environmental stewardship through responsible consumption and production patterns can significantly improve ecosystem resilience and biodiversity preservation.

Impact on the 2030 Agenda

The discussions underscored the need for systemic changes to achieve the 2030 Agenda by emphasizing holistic agricultural policies that integrate sustainability, climate resilience, and innovation.

The Australia-California Memorandum of Understanding fosters policy alignment and knowledge exchange, focusing on circular economy principles, regenerative agriculture, and carbon-neutral agricultural practices. Collaborative initiatives such as these provide a model for scaling up sustainability efforts worldwide, ensuring best practices are shared and implemented effectively.

Prof. Darrell Abernethy of Aberystwyth University stressed the necessity of embedding the One Health approach in research and policymaking, advocating for international collaboration in disease surveillance and risk assessment to mitigate emerging global health threats.

Additionally, Karl Presser of Premotec highlighted the role of digital infrastructures in integrating research data to support evidence-based policymaking, ensuring data-driven decision-making at both national and international levels.

The insights from Dr. Samiran Banerjee of North Dakota State University on soil microbiomes illustrate how microbial health contributes to sustainable agriculture, reinforcing the holistic approach necessary for meeting multiple SDGs through microbiome-informed farming techniques and ecosystem restoration. The convergence of digital transformation, research excellence, and global policy collaboration is essential for sustaining progress towards the SDGs.

Conclusions

Science, innovation, and policy collaboration are critical to transforming agrifood systems towards sustainability. The intersection of soil health, biodiversity conservation, and food safety must be prioritized to ensure resilience against climate change.

Public-private partnerships, such as those in the GAP Initiative and Australia-California MoU, offer promising pathways for integrating sustainability into agricultural policies and practices, but their effectiveness hinges on enhanced investment, technology transfer, and capacity-building in developing regions.

However, challenges remain, particularly in the adoption of new technologies due to financial barriers, the harmonization of international regulations to prevent market distortions, and the mitigation of environmental risks associated with industrial agriculture.

Stakeholders must collaborate to implement scalable, locally adapted solutions that enhance agricultural resilience and equity. By fostering an interdisciplinary approach that includes policy reform, financial incentives, and sustainable innovation, long-term progress can be secured, leading to more equitable and resilient food systems worldwide.

 Way Forward

To enhance the contribution of agrifood systems to SDGs, the following actions are recommended:

1. Strengthening research collaborations to enhance soil health, reduce pesticide dependency, and integrate One Health principles into agrifood policies and practices. Expanding access to research funding and interdisciplinary partnerships will further accelerate sustainable innovation.
2. Expanding digital infrastructures for data-driven policymaking, as demonstrated by METROFOOD-RI, ensuring open-access platforms that facilitate real-time monitoring and risk assessment. Investment in digital tools such as blockchain technology can also enhance supply chain transparency.
3. Supporting regenerative agricultural practices through incentives for farmers, the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that leverage indigenous and scientific knowledge. Subsidies and financial incentives should be restructured to promote sustainable land-use practices.
4. Encouraging citizen science and participatory approaches in agrifood decision-making, promoting transparency and engagement across diverse food system actors. Community-led initiatives can provide valuable insights into local environmental and agricultural challenges.
5. Scaling up the Australia-California sustainability model to other regions to foster global cooperation in climate-smart agriculture, agroecological transformations, and resilient food systems. Enhancing international trade policies to reflect sustainability goals can further support this initiative.

Achieving the SDGs requires a collective effort, blending scientific advancements, policy innovation, and sustainable business models to create a more resilient agrifood system by 2030.

Through coordinated global efforts, inclusive policy frameworks, and interdisciplinary research, the transition to sustainable and equitable agrifood systems can be realized, ensuring food security, environmental conservation, and economic prosperity for future generations.

By embedding sustainability within global governance structures and prioritizing long-term resilience strategies, a sustainable and just food future can be achieved for all.