Global Future Councils Explore Innovative Strategies To Enhance Food Security Amid Climate Challenges

The food sector is experiencing a major shift due to innovative practices, reshaping how food is produced and distributed. This was highlighted during the 'Liberating Food' session at the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025 meetings, organised by the UAE Government with the World Economic Forum. Experts discussed that while technology offers great promise, it alone cannot break monopolies limiting fair food access amid climate challenges and supply chain disruptions.

During the session, experts examined global food security challenges and explored strategies to tackle them. They highlighted opportunities presented by modern technology to expand arable land and improve food production. Innovations such as lab-grown meat, AI-driven agriculture, and climate-resilient crops were discussed as potential solutions to enhance food safety and availability.

Arnoud van den Berg, CEO of Al Dahra Holding, noted that innovation is crucial for boosting food security. However, many effective agricultural methods already exist without relying on advanced AI. He cited zero tillage agriculture as an example of a traditional practice that has proven effective over decades. This method reduces resource use while improving soil health and moisture retention, leading to higher yields at lower costs.

Van den Berg shared that his company's farms have seen yields surpass national averages using this approach. He stressed that the challenge lies not in creating new technologies but in adopting existing solutions more widely. Addressing financing and knowledge gaps is essential for farmers to benefit from these advancements.

Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, emphasised that the main issue is not technology availability but its expansion to reach millions of farmers. "The innovation chain is currently stalled due to a lack of investment and weak technology transfer," she stated. A holistic approach integrating policies, investments, and knowledge is needed for self-sufficiency.

Ruhweza pointed to Ethiopia's success in achieving wheat self-sufficiency within three years through irrigation, new land use, best technologies, and farmer cooperatives. She attributed this achievement to determination, technology application, and sound investment.

Investment in Agricultural Technology

Dr Ismahane Elouafi from CGIAR highlighted growing food security challenges since 2017 due to successive crises. Despite Africa's potential, it remains underutilised because of weak infrastructure and limited market access mechanisms. Bridging this gap requires targeted investment in technology for sustainable productivity improvements.

"Food security has faced growing challenges since 2017," Dr Elouafi said. "Despite Africa's immense potential, it remains largely underutilised due to weak infrastructure." She called for investments in technology to enhance efficiency and achieve sustainable productivity.

The session concluded with participants emphasising that sustainable food security needs a comprehensive approach combining technological innovation with political reforms and community empowerment. Experts noted the importance of focusing on the interconnectedness between food, water, energy, and humans for resilient systems.

With inputs from WAM