Food systems and the agriculture sector have made impressive strides in producing food to feed a growing population, reducing real food prices in many countries, improving food safety and reducing food-borne illnesses. However, food systems are also contributing to – and facing the consequences of – complex global and environmental challenges including climate change, environmental degradation and natural resource constraints.
As this report demonstrates, the way governments around the world support agriculture is a factor in the global and environmental challenges that food systems are facing. While not accessible to all producers, agricultural producer support in particular has led to some farming practices that are harmful to nature and health and largely focused on certain commodities, thus hindering the health, sustainability, equity and efficiency of food systems.
The report provides policymakers with an analysis of agricultural support globally and by country income group over time, along with a six-step guide on how to repurpose agricultural producer support – and the reforms required – to better support the transformation of food systems and the achievement of the SDGs.