Climate-Smart Agrifood Systems Key to Regional Food Security: World Bank
Islamabad, July 12: Climate-smart agrifood systems must be rapidly expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to avert worsening food insecurity as climate change, conflict and water scarcity drive food demand 67% higher by 2050, the World Bank said.
The report identifies transforming agrifood systems as a key opportunity to improve food and nutrition security, create jobs and build resilience to climate and economic shocks.
The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) region faces mounting pressures from climate change, water scarcity, conflict and rising malnutrition.
Today, one in six people across the region lacks reliable access to food, while 42% cannot afford a healthy diet. Demand for food is projected to increase by 67% by 2050.
Read More: World Coral Triangle Day 2026 Highlights Urgent Need for Ocean Action
The report says the region can meet much of that demand by producing more food with fewer resources. It notes that agrifood systems extend beyond farming to include processing, storage, transport, logistics, trade, retail and food services.
The agrifood sector already supports 63 million jobs, nearly one in three workers in the region, making it a cornerstone of livelihoods, economic growth and stability.It argues that food security is about far more than increasing agricultural production.
Instead, it depends on modernizing the entire agrifood value chain, from farm to table, through stronger logistics, trade, storage, climate-smart farming, innovation, improved public spending and greater private-sector investment.
The report concludes that reforming agrifood systems could strengthen food security, improve nutrition, create jobs, particularly for women and young people, and boost resilience to climate change.
