Innovations to overcome the increasingly complex problems of hunger

Abstract

Transforming rural areas and increasing the productivity of smallholder farms are indispensable to meet the goal of overcoming hunger and malnutrition. After years of improvements, hunger levels rose again in 2016. Of the 815 million undernourished people, 20% are small children. ‘Hidden hunger’ also remains a serious concern; micronutrient deficiencies affect around 2 billion people and pose significant social, political, and public health challenges. As hunger and malnutrition grow increasingly more complex, it must be countered by sophisticate policies and innovative thinking. In this regard, food and agricultural innovations play essential roles to overcome hunger sustainably and effectively.