Themes
Research through the Global Food Security programme has been divided into 4 themes.
Economic resilience
Including global trade, food market economics, economic impact of food safety issues, competitiveness of farming and food businesses
Examples of impacts
- Identification and better understanding of critical economic and social factors across the supply chain
- Increased competitiveness of UK agri-food sector
Resource efficiency
Including water, energy, nutrients, pesticides and other inputs, improving efficiency and reducing waste throughout the supply chain.
Examples of impacts
- Reduction in CO2 emissions from farming and food
- Increased sustainability through reduced dependence on finite inputs
Sustainable production
Including soils, farming systems, food production from crops and animals (including fish), food processing and manufacture.
Examples of impacts
- Adaptation to changing environments e.g. disease- and drought-resistant crops
- Increased yields and productivity
Sustainable, healthy, safe diets
Including food safety throughout the supply chain, nutrition, accessibility and consumer behaviour.
Examples of impacts
- Knowledge to inform healthy eating policies
- Reduced incidence of food-related illnesses
Each theme:
- Is championed jointly by at least one Research Council and one Government Department
- Involves all relevant funders and main stakeholders
- Is coordinated with the other themes
- Includes cross-cutting issues such as skills provision, innovation and translation of research, research infrastructure, international collaboration and cooperation
- Considers sustainability of ecosystems related to food production, and reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions
Priorities in each theme will be developed over the coming months. A strategic plan for the programme containing the immediate priorities will be published by summer 2010.
