During a webinar organized in Rome by CIRAD and its partners, researchers and experts explored ways to feed 9.7 billion people by 2050 while preserving the planet. Population growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and aging populations pose significant challenges for food security.
Agronomic research emphasizes the selection of resilient plants that are more efficient in the face of water stress and climate variations, as well as the use of innovative traits such as allelopathy to limit weeds and optimize carbon storage in soils. Artificial intelligence is becoming a key tool for crop phenotyping and early detection of health crises, transforming vast data into actionable knowledge.
Meanwhile, changing dietary behaviors is crucial. Experiments demonstrate that increasing the availability of vegetarian dishes can sway consumer choices without direct coercion. The integration of these levers—genetics, algorithms, and choice environments—indicates that the food transition relies on a multi-dimensional approach.
Finally, aquaculture products, rich in proteins and essential nutrients, will need to see sustainable production increases, with better management of fishing and aquaculture, while optimizing value chains to reduce losses and waste.