How can markets transform their food systems?

Public-private partnerships and policy interventions could support the food systems.

Countries need to transform their food systems in order to improve the health of their citizens and the planet. In a report led by Bain & Company and the World Economic Forum, they identified key actions and investments necessary to accelerate progress.

According to the report, high-performing food systems provide healthy and nutritious diets, support dignified livelihoods for producers, and mitigate and adapt to climate change while safeguarding nature and biodiversity. 

However, current food systems fall short of these goals, leading to hunger, obesity, low resilience to external shocks, and negative impacts on climate and nature.

To accelerate progress, the report recommends that countries develop and implement an integrated food systems transformation roadmap that includes mid- and long-term target outcomes across food system dimensions, detail a holistic set of public investments and policy interventions, and leverage public-private partnerships to accelerate action. 

READ MORE: Global food supply may see worse next year: report

Additionally, the report recommends prioritizing high-potential, farmer-allied enterprises in transformation plans, coordinating public and private financing, scaling up change faster through technology and innovation ecosystems, and mobilizing the next generation of action-oriented, multi-stakeholder partnerships and coalitions.

"Delivering on the full potential of public-private and multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration will be key to accelerating transition towards better food systems," said the report read. 

"If countries can set clear ambitions and build integrated roadmaps for more inclusive, sustainable, healthy and resilient food systems, and if all key food system stakeholders can collectively step up and work together, it will be possible to evolve food systems in ways that nourish growing populations, build greater resilience, and enable farmers and all those engaged in these systems to live with dignity, while restoring the planet for future generations," the report added

The report was produced by a coalition of more than 20 organizations, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Bank.