What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?

Micronutrient availability in South Asia is projected to increase by 46 percent by 2050, reflecting a significant transition from traditional cereal-based diets to diverse, nutrient-rich foods, though affordability limits access for low-income groups. The shift from traditional diets to processed f...

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Main Authors: Nedumaran, Swamikannu, Thomas, Judy, Nandi, Ravi, Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa, Afari-Sefa, Victor
Format: Book Chapter
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175457
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author Nedumaran, Swamikannu
Thomas, Judy
Nandi, Ravi
Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa
Afari-Sefa, Victor
author_browse Afari-Sefa, Victor
Nandi, Ravi
Nedumaran, Swamikannu
Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa
Thomas, Judy
author_facet Nedumaran, Swamikannu
Thomas, Judy
Nandi, Ravi
Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa
Afari-Sefa, Victor
author_sort Nedumaran, Swamikannu
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Micronutrient availability in South Asia is projected to increase by 46 percent by 2050, reflecting a significant transition from traditional cereal-based diets to diverse, nutrient-rich foods, though affordability limits access for low-income groups. The shift from traditional diets to processed foods has led to an increase in obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Rising demand for animal-source foods also puts pressure on local resources and increases reliance on imports. Agriculture in South Asia relies heavily on freshwater, primarily groundwater, which is critically overused. Additionally, soil degradation and the burning of crop residues contribute to air pollution and pose risks to the sustainability and productivity of the region’s agricultural land. Climate change is expected to significantly affect crop yields, particularly for staples such as rice, wheat, and maize, with projected reductions by 2050. This climate impact will exacerbate food insecurity in the region, especially as food demand continues to grow. Current foresight studies often overlook the impacts of unexpected external shocks, such as pandemics and the Russia-Ukraine war, on agriculture and food systems. Addressing these research gaps and focusing on context-specific technological solutions, climate-smart practices, and self-sufficiency could enhance resilience and sustainability across South Asia’s agrifood sector.
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spelling CGSpace1754572025-11-12T05:35:23Z What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia? Nedumaran, Swamikannu Thomas, Judy Nandi, Ravi Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa Afari-Sefa, Victor food systems trace elements obesity non-communicable diseases health climate change shock crop yield groundwater technology transfer nutrition Micronutrient availability in South Asia is projected to increase by 46 percent by 2050, reflecting a significant transition from traditional cereal-based diets to diverse, nutrient-rich foods, though affordability limits access for low-income groups. The shift from traditional diets to processed foods has led to an increase in obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Rising demand for animal-source foods also puts pressure on local resources and increases reliance on imports. Agriculture in South Asia relies heavily on freshwater, primarily groundwater, which is critically overused. Additionally, soil degradation and the burning of crop residues contribute to air pollution and pose risks to the sustainability and productivity of the region’s agricultural land. Climate change is expected to significantly affect crop yields, particularly for staples such as rice, wheat, and maize, with projected reductions by 2050. This climate impact will exacerbate food insecurity in the region, especially as food demand continues to grow. Current foresight studies often overlook the impacts of unexpected external shocks, such as pandemics and the Russia-Ukraine war, on agriculture and food systems. Addressing these research gaps and focusing on context-specific technological solutions, climate-smart practices, and self-sufficiency could enhance resilience and sustainability across South Asia’s agrifood sector. 2025-07-21 2025-07-02T20:40:46Z 2025-07-02T20:40:46Z Book Chapter https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175457 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175019 Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Nedumaran, Swamikannu; Thomas, Judy; Nandi, Ravi; Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa; and Afari-Sefa, Victor. 2025. What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia? In What do we know about the future of food systems? eds. Keith Wiebe and Elisabetta Gotor. Part Two: What Do We Know About the Future of Food System in Selected Regions? Chapter 20, Pp. 115-120. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175457
spellingShingle food systems
trace elements
obesity
non-communicable diseases
health
climate change
shock
crop yield
groundwater
technology transfer
nutrition
Nedumaran, Swamikannu
Thomas, Judy
Nandi, Ravi
Padmanabhan, Jyosthnaa
Afari-Sefa, Victor
What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title_full What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title_fullStr What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title_full_unstemmed What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title_short What do we know about the future of food systems in South Asia?
title_sort what do we know about the future of food systems in south asia
topic food systems
trace elements
obesity
non-communicable diseases
health
climate change
shock
crop yield
groundwater
technology transfer
nutrition
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175457
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