Global food policy report 2017
The Global Food Security Report (PDF) is a reoccurring IFPRI publication that provides a synthesis of all major developments regarding food policy. This edition pays special attention to the challenges of urbanization for food and nutrition security (FNS) since rapid urbanization and population growth are expected to put growing pressure on the global food system as agricultural production comes under stress. In addition, urban poor face unique challenges since they are highly dependent on the informal sector, are more vulnerable to income and price shocks and have limited access to basic services. While informal markets are key to ensure FNS, government policies tend to focus on control, regulation or eradication of urban informal food economy. Urbanization also reshapes the agricultural value chains since commercial flows of agricultural goods increase, diets change, and commercial markets become more important. In this, rural-urban linkages are crucial, since urban growth can create opportunities for rural producers, and can help propel economic development, food security and nutrition. However, progress is often hold back due to broken value chains and poor coordination linkages. Recommendations to improve these linkages are: improving policy coordination; support efficient and inclusive rural-urban value chains;leverage towns and intermediate cities to facilitate economic and social links; improve targeting of public investment; and promote social protection in rural and urban areas.Another challenge in urban hunger is the lack of data on urban poverty, food security and malnutrition.
Next to the thematic focus, the report contains country-level data on hunger, agricultural spending, agricultural research investment and capacity, and projections for future agricultural production and consumption.