Food systems globally are under increasing pressure from a combination of climate change, environmental degradation, population growth, market instability, and shifting socio-economic conditions. While many solutions have been suggested, they are often fragmented and too narrowly focused. These isolated approaches can fail to address the complexity of food systems and the ways that technical, social, environmental, and institutional factors interact to influence food security.

A significant gap exists in the limited evidence on how bundled or integrated strategies work in practice. Innovations are frequently tested individually or in simple combinations, overlooking the broader social, governance, and policy contexts in which they operate. Socio-economic inequalities, weak institutions, and governance gaps further hinder the adoption of promising solutions, leaving marginalized groups, especially women, youth, and the poor, at a disadvantage. This highlights a crucial need for integrated, cross-sectoral strategies that go beyond fragmented interventions. The primary objective is to bridge this gap by establishing food systems that are not only productive but also equitable, resilient, and capable of supporting global development goals in the face of uncertainty.

This special issue seeks research that demonstrates how technical, technological, social, and policy innovations can be combined to build stronger food systems. The scope encompasses studies that examine key drivers, including livelihood diversification, market access, land, governance, and education, and how these factors influence food security and resilience outcomes. A central focus is on promoting inclusivity and equity by addressing gender, poverty, and social inequalities, and identifying ways to scale integrated strategies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We especially welcome contributions that investigate the factors influencing the adoption of integrated strategies, such as cost-benefit analyses, barriers and facilitators to adoption, and real-world case studies on scaling up successful interventions. The role of the private sector in promoting, financing, and sustaining integrated food system solutions is of particular interest and encouraged as a theme for submitted work.

To ensure broad relevance and impact, we strongly encourage submissions with primary evidence from regions with the highest prevalence of food insecurity, particularly Africa and Asia.

The collection will cover (but is not limited to) the following subthemes:

• How integrated land and food system management can improve both productivity and resilience.

• Which adaptation strategies best help smallholders withstand climate shocks?

• What combinations of innovations create the greatest impact on food security?

• Which governance models enable integrated food system solutions?

• How gender, poverty, and inequality shape food system vulnerabilities.

• What are the adoption factors and cost-effectiveness of integrated strategies, and what practical pathways exist to scale up these solutions?

• How can the private sector contribute to, and benefit from, more integrated and resilient food systems?

A wide range of manuscript types are welcomed for this Research Topic, including Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives and Opinion pieces, Policy and Practice Reviews, Systematic Reviews, and Community Case Studies.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Exploring Integrated Strategies for Enhancing Food Security and Resilience Amidst Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges