FAO—How to feed the world in 2050: Investment

The issues

Wha t kind of inves tments?

Most of the investment, both in primary agriculture and downstream sectors, will have to come from private sources, primarily farmers themselves purchasing implements and machinery, improving soil fertility, etc. For a better functioning agricultural system and improved food security, three kinds of public investments are also needed: 1) direct investment in agricultural research and development; 2) investment in sectors strongly linked to agricultural productivity growth, such as agricultural institutions, extension services, roads, ports, power, storage and irrigation systems; and 3) non-agricultural investment to bring about positive impacts on human wellbeing, like the reduction of hunger and malnutrition. The latter type of investment includes education, particularly of women, sanitation and clean water supply, and health care.

The issues

What kind of investments?

Most of the investment, both in primary agriculture and downstream sectors, will have to come from private sources, primarily farmers themselves purchasing implements and machinery, improving soil fertility etc. For a better functioning agricultural system and improved food security, three kinds of public investments are also needed: 1) direct investment in agricultural research and development; 2) investment in sectors strongly linked to agricultural productivity growth, such as agricultural institutions, extension services, roads, ports, power, storage and irrigation systems; and 3) non-agricultural investment to bring about positive impacts on human wellbeing, like the reduction of hunger and malnutrition. The latter type of investment includes education, particularly of women, sanitation and clean water supply, and health care.

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