Rural prosperity: the key to sustainable farm and food systems

James Heywood Cock^1*Holger Meinke²Frank Sperling³Ingrid Fromm^4*

• ¹Alliance of Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture - Americas Hub, Palmira, Colombia
• ²University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
• ³CSIRO Queensland Biosciences Precinct, Saint Lucia, Australia
• ⁴Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland

We highlight the tension in food systems between affordable food for all and prosperity of the rural communities that produce most of that food. Over the past six decades global efforts to combat hunger have centered on boosting the production of basic food staples, leading to significant reductions in hunger. However, progress has stalled, and food insecurity remains an issue for over two billion people, primarily in low-income countries (LICs), where it is tied to poverty. Current strategies in LICs, rooted in mid-20th century paradigms, emphasize increasing staple crop yields by smallholder farmers. This unrealistically assumes that smallholders can simultaneously produce low-cost staples and achieve economic prosperity. Moreover, the narrow focus on staple crops overlooks the potential of high-value, diversified agriculture to improve rural livelihoods and provide nutritious, diets. We advocate a fairer distribution of responsibilities in food provision: smallholders should be supported in transitioning toward higher-value agricultural products and services, with emphasis on labour productivity and value chain development. Production of staple foods is more suitable for larger areas with mechanization, which improves labour productivity. A diversified rural economy—extending beyond the farm gate—can foster prosperous and equitable rural communities, enhance dietary diversity and strengthen resilience to shifting environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Urban food security could be further strengthened by reducing non-food related living costs. Long-term food security depends on ensuring dignified livelihoods for rural communities and farmers. To achieve a more equitable balance between the welfare of producers and consumers will require re-examination of our farm and food systems.