food systems

This policy report provides insights into the current and projected dynamics of urbanisation and food systems in West and East Africa and assesses the potential impacts on rural livelihoods. The increasing urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa is an important driver of change in the production, trade, processing and consumption of food. Urbanisation also affects rural livelihoods in several ways. »

This article identifies strategies for and performance of food system transformation by assessing 32 highly-cited international studies, identifying and comparing differences in the frameworks used for food systems analysis, and discrepancies in the procedures. Food systems approaches must be useful to decision makers and performance can only be improved if decision makers have a better understanding of these underlying interactions and dynamics of food systems change. »

On July 31,2020, CGIAR published its 2019 Performance Report. The Netherlands, as a strategic partner and funder to CGIAR is committed to share the important results achieved in 2019 by CGIAR, its CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) and Platforms. The publication comes at a time when food systems are under incredible pressure due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and also in the midst of CGIAR’s transformation towards One CGIAR. »

This paper aims to strengthen the understanding of multi-stakeholde initiatives (MAIs) by showing what works and what does not, and also provides actionable recommendations for people designing MAIs. In general, the case studies analysed in this report have shown the added value of MAIs in addressing food system problems. The complex nature of food systems, with their many moving parts and multiple actors, requires an approach that brings this diversity of views together in a meaningful and productive way. »

This Urban Agriculture magazine identifies the ways in which gender and inclusivity have been neglected in urban food policy, practice and research. There is an urgent need for many more cities and city regions to work on issues surrounding all genders in urban food systems. It is crucial that responses do not just involve application of technocratic frameworks and that they move beyond gender awareness and mainstreaming to enablethe reversal of pervasive and systemic intersectional inequalities. »

In this paper an iterative, step-based sustainable food system approach has been developed that help navigate complexity and is flexible in its required resources, thus enbaling a fast overview or a deep dive as determined by a project’s or organisation’s objectives. The goal of the approach is that together, the four components can help guide practitioners and decision-makers to describe, diagnose, and develop more coherent, effective, and context-appropriate interventions in food systems to improve their sustainability. »