How will it be possible to feed the world in the demographic context of the twenty-first century?

The diversity of food systems throughout the world is a key element if we are to achieve this.

Little studied in terms of their sustainability, food systems have thus far been considered in terms of the challenges facing agriculture. ‘Food sustainability’ is unquestionably a major issue for the years to come. From the farm gate to the consumer’s plate, these systems now need to be analysed in terms of their contribution towards the pillars of sustainability. However, it is clear that any debate today on this issue cannot be based on consolidated knowledge; research therefore has a major role to play in facing this challenge.

Foresight workshops were initiated in related fields in 2009 and 2010: one on the adaptation of agriculture to climate change (ADAGE) and the other on plant species and sustainable production systems for chemistry and energy (VegA).

Regarding food issues in the longer term, INRA and CIRAD jointly performed a foresight study on the possible futures of farming and food systems worldwide in 2050: the Agrimonde platform thus laid the foundations for agricultural research within a framework of sustainability. In the same vein, our two organisations decided to mobilise private sector and academic experts working in this area to study the trends affecting global food systems in terms of their effects on the environment, health, social equality and the economy.