Background for our 2025 Conference
Putting Science and Technology to Work for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems
Shaun Coffey, CEO, Crawford Fund
Our 2023 Annual Conference titled “Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems,” focused on diversification and risk, emphasizing the needs of adaptation for farmers worldwide and the importance of sustainable practices to manage environmental challenges. Experts led by Dr. Cary Fowler, U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, addressed the need for crop and soil adaptation, particularly under-utilized crops that can thrive in changing climates while fulfilling nutritional needs. The conference explored how diversification approach offers potential resilience against global food system vulnerabilities.
The Fund’s 2024 Conference, themed “Food and Nutrition Security: Transformative Partnerships, Local Leadership and Co-Design,” furthered this dialogue, exploring partnerships that bring local and global stakeholders together. Professor Wendy Umberger, ACIAR CEO, delivered a keynote emphasizing collaborative research efforts and partnership that address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and health, and promote equity and inclusion. This conference underscored the Fund’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development, advocating for more effort to be applied to partnering for impact.
In 2025, the Crawford Fund Conference will examine how well the world is going in putting our knowledge on these topics to work.
Our adopted theme, Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems: Actionable Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners, underscores the still urgent need to craft strategies that can secure food security while promoting environmental sustainability.
The event will explore crucial sub-themes, including managing trade-offs between food production and net-zero targets, achieving sustainable intensification, and promoting gender equity and community engagement. A key challenge will be to identify actionable recommendations.
Managing Trade-offs between Food Production and Net-Zero Emissions Targets
One of the most pressing challenges in agrifood systems today is reconciling the need for increased food production with the global imperative to reduce carbon emissions. The path to net-zero carbon emissions in agriculture presents significant trade-offs that require balanced and thoughtful responses. Climate-resilient food systems must meet the demand for food without exacerbating environmental damage, a challenge made more difficult by the competing goals of producing more while emitting less. Addressing this issue demands a holistic approach that includes technological innovation, sustainable practices, and policies that support these efforts.
Agriculture accounts for a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is also a critical sector for food security and livelihoods. Reducing emissions in this sector requires innovative practices, such as precision farming, carbon sequestration, and adopting renewable energy sources. For instance, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers through sustainable soil management practices can help cut emissions while maintaining crop yields. However, these solutions often entail economic, social, and environmental trade-offs that must be carefully managed. It is here that cross-sector collaboration becomes vital, bringing together governments, farmers, industry stakeholders, and consumers to design and implement policies that encourage sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Public awareness and consumer choices also play a role in supporting climate goals. Changes in dietary habits and reduced food waste contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of food systems. Thus, a collaborative approach across all levels—policy, industry, community, and consumer—can create a resilient food system that harmonizes climate goals with the need to ensure global food security.
Achieving Sustainable Intensification of Food Production and Adding Value to Natural Capital
As the global population continues to grow, intensifying food production sustainably is essential. The concept of sustainable intensification aims to increase food production per unit of land while reducing environmental impacts. However, achieving this balance requires a range of strategies that not only improve yield but also enhance the value of natural ecosystems—referred to as natural capital. Through sustainable resource management, agroecological practices, and biodiversity conservation, agricultural systems can increase output while preserving the ecological health upon which they depend.
One critical component of sustainable intensification is recognizing the value of ecosystem services, such as soil fertility, pollination, and water purification, which contribute to agricultural productivity. By investing in biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation projects, the agricultural sector can bolster ecosystem productivity and resilience, ensuring these natural resources remain viable for future generations. Corporate responsibility and community engagement play an essential role in these efforts, fostering initiatives that balance increased food production with ecological sustainability.
Innovative technologies, such as drones for monitoring crop health and AI-driven solutions for optimizing resource use, support sustainable intensification by minimizing inputs and maximizing efficiency. Yet, these technological advancements must be coupled with education, policy incentives, and corporate accountability to promote and maintain sustainable practices on a broader scale. Policies that reward sustainable practices encourage farmers and companies to adopt conservation efforts, benefiting both the environment and the economy. Through these collective strategies, sustainable intensification can lead to an agrifood system that not only meets the growing demand for food but does so without depleting the natural resources essential for its success.
Moreover, adding value to natural capital involves enhancing ecosystems in ways that generate social, economic, and environmental benefits. For instance, preserving wetlands within agricultural areas can provide habitats for diverse species while acting as natural buffers against climate change impacts, such as flooding. By securing the long-term value of natural capital, these practices ensure that agrifood systems remain resilient and capable of supporting future populations.
Progress Toward Gender Equity, Inclusion, and Community Participation
Agricultural resilience cannot be achieved without inclusivity, as climate challenges impact individuals and communities differently. Ensuring gender equity, inclusion, and community participation is crucial for creating agrifood systems that are not only sustainable but also equitable. Traditionally, women have been disproportionately affected by climate change and food insecurity, despite playing essential roles in food production and resource management. Progressing toward gender equity involves strengthening women’s resilience and fostering their participation in climate governance to make agrifood systems more inclusive.
Specific case studies and success stories illustrate the importance of integrating women into agrifood governance structures. When women are actively involved, agricultural systems benefit from their unique perspectives, particularly in implementing sustainable practices and community-based adaptation strategies. One effective approach is the diffusion of gender-sensitive technological innovations that empower women to improve agricultural productivity while also reducing their vulnerability to climate impacts. For instance, improved access to water management tools or climate-resilient crops can enable women farmers to thrive even in challenging environmental conditions.
Developing women’s leadership skills through training programs and targeted educational initiatives is vital for ensuring they have the confidence and capability to influence decision-making processes. When women’s voices are included in policy discussions, the resulting policies are often more comprehensive and attuned to the needs of diverse community members. Empowering women in agrifood systems can enhance community resilience, as they are often the primary caregivers and play a central role in managing household resources. Thus, fostering gender equity and inclusion not only contributes to fairer systems but also strengthens entire communities in their efforts to adapt to climate change.
Community participation is equally important, as it builds trust and ensures that climate solutions are locally relevant and accepted. Effective climate policies must consider the knowledge, traditions, and needs of the communities they serve. By involving community members in the planning and implementation of these policies, agrifood systems can be tailored to address specific challenges and opportunities within different local contexts.
Our 2025 Challenge
The 2025 Crawford Fund Conference’s theme, Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems: Actionable Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners, captures the urgency and complexity of transforming agrifood systems in response to climate change. Addressing the trade-offs between food production and net-zero targets, pursuing sustainable intensification, and promoting inclusivity are essential for building resilient and equitable agrifood systems. These themes reflect the multifaceted approach needed to secure food security in a world increasingly vulnerable to environmental challenges.
By adopting innovative practices, supporting policies, and fostering inclusivity, agrifood systems can evolve to meet the demands of a growing population without compromising the planet’s health. It is our intention that the insights shared at the conference will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities of building climate-resilient agrifood systems. In doing so, we can create a future where food security and environmental sustainability go hand in hand, benefiting current and future generations alike.