The Arab region is facing unprecedented challenges in ending hunger and malnutrition and ensuring access to healthy diets. Multiple factors beyond the control of Arab countries have burdened the population and governments, leaving some countries to provide subsidies and other support despite tight fiscal policies. Recent crises such as the war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the effects of climate change have disrupted agrifood systems and food supply chains globally, including the Arab region.
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation joint report, the Arab region is one of the world’s largest importers of grains, with more than 50% of caloric needs met through food imports. The number of people suffering from malnutrition in the region has increased by 55% since 2010, reaching 54.3 million in 2021. Sustainable Development Goal 2 of eliminating hunger by 2030 seems unachievable without significant improvements in the agrifood systems, climate change, conflicts, disasters, poverty, and inequality being addressed.
Despite alarming figures, there is still a chance to achieve food and nutrition goals by transforming the agrifood systems of the region’s countries to make them more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. Some countries have begun to realise this and are preparing their food and agricultural systems for transformation by various strategies in sustainable agriculture and rural development. The first step would be to enhance and disseminate necessary knowledge, technology, financing frameworks, and integration between countries to reduce food bills optimally.
Trade is essential for diverse and healthy food systems and reduces prices in food-importing countries. Intra-regional trade can help reduce food shortages during production cycles and address production shortfalls or supply chain disruptions caused by adverse global events. Arab countries must leverage intra-regional trade, rely on each other’s capacities, and develop clear policies, tested strategies, and high-level political will. A transformed agrifood system can deliver food security, better nutrition, economic sustainability, inclusion, and positive impacts on the climate and environment.
In conclusion, the Arab region must improve agrifood systems to deliver food security and better nutrition for all, given that a large population suffers severe food insecurity and struggles to afford a healthy diet. The region must take immediate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2, end hunger, and malnutrition by 2030. It is critical to realise that the time for reform in the agrifood system has come, and transformative solutions are necessary for progress.
عبدالرحمان زمین پیما
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آرمان جعفری
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