Food challenges, technological changes and food geopolitics¹

Desafios alimentares, mudanças tecnológicas e geopolítica alimentar

Abstract

In recent years, food insecurity has worsened despite decades of progress. Agrifood systems must evolve to address population expansion and climate change simultaneously. A problem of this magnitude necessitates the development of technologies that simultaneously increase (nutritious) food production and protect the environment. Based on an a diagram analysis of the economic model of technological change, this article explores various technological paths that can emerge in response to rising food prices and the need to preserve land. This article indicates, through the use of specialized literature, that the hypotheses derived from the analysis of the technological change model already exist. In addition, we investigate the potential geopolitical effects of these technological shifts on the global agri-food industry. Changes aimed at conserving land must encourage urban food production, systematic resource optimization on abundant high-quality land, and regenerative practices. In addition to rising food prices and population growth, the increasing significance of urban consumers and the internalization of environmental values should drive these various developments.

Keywords:
food insecurity; sustainable development goals; technological change; geopolitics