5th Global Food Security, Food Safety and Sustainability

Agricultural and Food Economics

An overhaul of the agricultural sector will be necessary to sustain recent high levels of economic growth in the least developed countries and to tackle chronic malnutrition. As cities expand, so do the food needs of urban families. The situation of the urban poor is precarious in the present condition of volatile food prices and the financial, fuel and economic crises. The urban poor, often located in the most vulnerable parts of cities and lacking the capacity to adapt to climate-related impacts, will be hit hardest. The challenges associated with supporting the urban poor demand urgent and adequate responses from city and national authorities and international organizations. Urban policies need to incorporate food security considerations and focus more on building cities that are more resilient to crises. Metropolitan, municipal and other local government institutions can play a proactive and coordinating role in enhancing urban food security. Developing local value chains for food and nutrition security is an important task. It focuses efforts on strengthening capacities of local food producers and business to supply more food to domestic and tourist markets to meet demands for a balanced and nutritious diet and to reduce food and feed imports.