Food systems – fundamental to all development

Norad’s work on food systems and food security centres around SDG 2 with the aim “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. 

Food security has a major impact on both society and people. Sustainable food systems are key to future food security and economic development at micro and macro level.  Increased efficiency and profits on food sales can contribute to economic growth for households, but also for the national economy through reduced dependence on imports and increased opportunities to export goods.

Access to adequate, safe and nutritional food is a prerequisite for participating in education and working life, which in turn leads to economic development. Malnutrition and malnourishment have extensive long-term consequences for both personal and economic development. Children and women are particularly vulnerable.  Global food security has gradually worsened in recent years, including as a result of COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine and climate change with increasing rates of natural disasters and extreme weather. 

At the same time, we also see that global food systems affect climate and nature. The World Bank estimates that the agricultural industry accounts for one third of the world’s main drivers for greenhouse gas emissions due to the loss of nature, including deforestation.

However, soil has a significant ability to store carbon. The importance of healthy soil and sustainable management of agricultural land is therefore a very important factor when it comes to future climate-resilient food production and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 

Norad contributes to increased food security and sustainable food systems through a number of focus areas.

Increased productivity in agriculture in Africa has resulted in excess consumption and deterioration of land resources, as well as inadequate strategies for sustainable management.  Improved soil health, supply of proper nutrition and use of climate-resilient seeds are important contributions when it comes to strengthening the nutritional content of soil. Many countries lack policies, programmes and institutional structures necessary to improve and maintain good soil health. There have been limited investments in research and technological developments relating to soil health. Norway seeks to contribute better knowledge, policies and data relating to soil health in order to contribute to increased productivity that does not come at the expense of the environment, while improving the soil health condition in African countries.

Norad actively works on value chain developments through its partners, especially in southern Africa, where bottlenecks have been identified in value chains and targeted initiatives are being implemented. Examples of such bottlenecks may include a lack of storage facilities, credit, local refinement possibilities or market access. Norad collaborates with the private sector to solve these challenges.

In 2024, together with other donors, Norad will establish a financing solution for small and medium-sized businesses. The goal is to ensure that smallholders have access to better prices and a greater market for their raw materials. This is an important step in strengthening food security and economic sustainability in the region.

Aquatic food is an important source of nutrition in coastal communities in developing countries and there is great potential to better exploit proteins from aquatic food to improve food and nutritional security. Norway holds a leading global position within fishing and aquaculture, especially when it comes to education, research, management, technology and business development. Through the Fish for Development programme, Norway supports the institutional partnerships between Norwegian government sectors and partner countries.

Small-scale food producers play a crucial role when it comes to food security, especially in developing countries, and are therefore key stakeholders when it comes to Norway’s strategy for food security in development policy. There is a particular focus on women and gender equality. Women constitute the backbone of small-scale agriculture. Their efforts contribute to food production, better nutrition, economic survival and sustainability. Strengthening women’s roles in agriculture is therefore essential in achieving food security and economic development in Africa.

Norad’s funding is channelled through partners from the UN and the banking system, civil society, academia and the private sector. Through the Agriculture for Development programme, Norwegian aid contributes to institutional capacity-building and relevant Norwegian institutions are key partners in this work.  Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are prioritised in the food security portfolio.

Links

• Joining forces against hunger – Norway’s strategy for promoting food security in development policy
• Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System
• The status of women in agrifood systems, FAO 2023
• The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2023
• The Economics of the Food System Transformation
• Global Food Policy report 2024

Contact

For further information, please contact the Section for Food: Norad-Mat@norad.no