A major study titled “State of the Field for Research on Agrifood Systems” has shed light on the significant underrepresentation of climate-vulnerable countries with high hunger rates in agrifood research. The report, which involved researchers from esteemed institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), highlights the urgent need for action and increased investments to address this imbalance.
The study, which utilized artificial intelligence to analyze 6.3 million scientific titles, abstracts, and metadata from 2010 to 2023, sourced from CAB Abstracts, reveals that only one out of eight research papers is led by scientists from the 81 poorest countries. Shockingly, some countries have an evidence base of fewer than 1,000 articles, indicating a severe lack of representation.
The report not only provides an overview of current research outcomes but also aims to shape future research agendas to enhance food security. It emphasizes the necessity for increased funding to support original research efforts in the world’s poorest countries, with a particular focus on regions most vulnerable to climate change and hunger.
Furthermore, the study recommends the promotion of participatory practices to incorporate women’s perspectives into agricultural research methodologies. Strengthening engagement in outcome and intervention pathways is also suggested to foster coherence and cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges.
Professor Jaron Porciello, Director of the Juno Evidence Alliance and lead author of the report, emphasizes the alignment of scientific research with policy imperatives. The report aims to guide inclusive and equitable development within food systems across low- and middle-income countries.
The study highlights a significant increase in research publications in agriculture and food systems over the past decade, with publications spanning over 35,000 journals and technical reports within agricultural domains alone. However, the dominance of countries such as China, the U.S., Brazil, and India in agricultural research publications underscores the need for greater focus on regions with disproportionately lower research output.
The underrepresentation of scientists from the world’s poorest countries in scientific publications hampers global conversation and impedes the acquisition of contextually relevant insights crucial for informed policymaking.
The report also draws attention to discrepancies in crop-related research, where cereals receive 40% more research attention than fruits and vegetables. This highlights missed opportunities to address critical outcomes through interventions, particularly in promoting gender equity, nutritional outcomes, and sustainable farming practices.
The study recommends greater investment in initiatives promoting crop diversification to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for high-quality research aimed at bridging the gap between farmers’ perceptions of climate change and actionable advisory services.
Collaborating researchers from Cornell University, the University of Texas, the University of Helsinki, Finland, and Global Affairs Canada contributed to this comprehensive study.