Letters | Fight hunger and malnutrition by rebuilding trust in trade and markets

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates some 690 million people are undernourished, with more facing other forms of malnutrition. Despite adequate global food supplies, poverty and inequality prevent millions from accessing sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Meanwhile, rising average incomes, urbanisation and changing diets indicate the rate at which food demand is growing is set to outstrip growth in supply across the developing world, meaning trade will become more important in meeting people’s needs. Governments of developing countries will need to raise rural incomes by boosting yields sustainably through policies such as rolling out farmer advisory services or building rural roads.

Governments must also strengthen environmental governance and remove perverse incentives that affect production and consumption patterns for food and agriculture, including tackling fossil fuel subsidies. Furthermore, they should ensure the food system is resilient enough to cope with future shocks, such as more intense and frequent extreme weather that is associated with climate change.