Emerging trends and sustainability challenges in the global agri-food sector
Rajeev Bhat
Abstract
The global agri-food system has progressively evolved and is experiencing precipitous transformations. Of late, technological innovations have substantially revolutionized the entire agri-food production and supply chain systems. And, this is irrespective of a regions socio-economic stature. In spite of this, still there are several recurring global sustainability challenges that requires to be tackled. In this chapter, some of the currently encountered sustainability challenges and coherent practical solutions/innovations offered in the agri-food sector are deliberated. In the future, major focus will revolve around designing appropriate models/frameworks to overcome the challenges, understanding the requirements of a resilient food system, sharing of evidence-based research/new knowledge with the consumers, educating local population, realigning and introducing new agri-food policies, and implementation of realistic solutions. In the coming decades, the prospects of the entire agri-food sector are affirmative, however, all the key players (farming community, unions, government and non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, suppliers and manufacturers, agri-food scientists/technologists, policy makers, risk managers, consumers, and the public) need to drive together to contribute for a successful sustainable future.