This year has been a study in contrasts for global agri-food systems. On one hand, food production has surged ahead of population growth. With a global production growth rate of 2.5% far outpacing the world’s population increase of 0.87% between 2023 and 2024, the agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable gains. Yet, on the other, food distribution remains woefully unequal, fueling a rise in hunger and malnutrition.

Take wheat, for instance. Global production rose by nearly 3 million tonnes compared to 2023, reaching an estimated 792 million tonnes for the 2024/2025 season, according to the FAO. This growth owes much to bumper harvests in the United States, despite slight declines in Europe and the Russian Federation. Key drivers include technological leaps—precision agriculture, AI, and drones—alongside better irrigation and fertilization practices, as well as expanded cultivation.

“Despite abundant food, hunger affects 733 million people globally, with 282 million facing acute insecurity.”

Similarly, global fish production reached an all-time high of 223 million tonnes in 2022, marking a 4.4% increase over 2020 levels. The most striking trend here is the ascendancy of aquaculture, which for the first time has overtaken capture fishing, accounting for 51% of output, and is poised to replace it due to the gradual depletion of wild fish stocks – 34% of them are overexploited – and the rising demand of seafood. Aquaculture is more efficient and innovative, having also the potential of better addressing climate change concerns. Again, innovation and sustainable practices have led the charge. Meat production has also seen gains, up 1.4% from 2023, largely due to rising demand for poultry in developing countries and a slight uptick in beef production in Brazil and Argentina.


Yet these achievements mask a harsher reality. Despite abundant food, hunger is on the rise. Over the past four years, driven by climate shocks, conflicts, and economic disruptions, the number of hungry people worldwide has swelled by 26%. By 2024, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) has climbed to a concerning 18.3, with at least 42 nations registering scores at serious or alarming levels, particularly in Africa. In 2023, some 733 million people—roughly one in eleven globally—suffered from hunger, with 282 million facing acute food insecurity, 24 million more than the year prior.

“Global food production grew by 2.5% in 2023-2024, far outpacing population growth of 0.87%.”

The Shadow of Waste

Behind this paradox lies a largely overlooked culprit: food waste. Approximately 30% of all food produced—some 2.5 billion tonnes annually—is squandered. This waste, valued at $230 billion, rivals the GDP of Greece. Astonishingly, one-third of this is lost during production and storage in poorer nations, while two-thirds is discarded during consumption in wealthier ones. The result? While some parts of the world waste surplus calories, others struggle to access even the minimum.

“Food waste accounts for 30% of global production—2.5 billion tonnes—leading to 8% of emissions.”

The consequences are far-reaching. Food waste exacerbates scarcity in vulnerable regions, inflates prices due to inefficient supply chains, and contributes to environmental degradation. Decomposing food emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The FAO estimated in 2013 that wasted food accounted for 3.3 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually—a figure that has likely climbed to 8% of global emissions today.

A Glimmer of Hope

In a world fraught with resource scarcity and systemic inefficiencies, grassroots initiatives shine as unexpected beacons of resilience. Take Lebanon, where an economic collapse has left more than half the population mired in poverty. Against this bleak backdrop, FoodBlessed, a volunteer-driven organization, has turned waste into sustenance. Founded in 2012, the group salvages surplus yet edible food from supermarkets, farms, and restaurants, transforming it into 400 free meals daily for those in need. Powered by a network of “Hunger Heroes,” it exemplifies how local ingenuity can counterbalance structural deficiencies.

In Mauritania, malnutrition casts a long shadow, afflicting 12% of children under five. With 74% of the population residing in rural areas, a promising solution has emerged from the cultivation of Moringa, a nutrient-rich tree lauded as a “superfood.” A small-scale trial with 50 women divided into two groups—one consuming Moringa powder, the other iron tablets—revealed remarkable outcomes. After five months, those in the Moringa group demonstrated lower anemia rates and improved weight, highlighting its potential as an affordable, sustainable intervention.

“Local initiatives like FoodBlessed in Lebanon prove grassroots efforts can counter systemic inefficiencies.”

Benin, too, faces daunting nutritional challenges, with 32% of children under five stunted due to poor diets and micronutrient deficiencies. Here, agencies such as the WFP, WHO, and UNICEF have collaborated to craft a multi-ingredient infant flour for undernourished children. The results have been swift and transformative, with full recovery recorded in just one month—a testament to the power of targeted nutritional interventions.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the paradox of abundant harvests and rampant waste remains unresolved. Perishable crops like grapes in Nubaria and tomatoes in Sharqia often rot before reaching markets. Enter a FAO-led initiative, launched in 2017 to overhaul value chains. By training farmers, laborers, and traders through hands-on demonstrations and expert instruction from Alexandria University, the program has fostered a food processing center, drawing on the skills of youth and women. The project has not only cut food losses but also bolstered local livelihoods.

Even the ancient oasis of Chenini in Tunisia is not immune to modern pressures. Overexploitation, pollution, and urban sprawl have scarred its delicate ecosystem, leading to abandoned lands and mounting plant waste. In response, a coalition including Asoc, the local municipality, and Italian cooperation, has pioneered an agroecological composting initiative. By repurposing palm waste into organic compost, farmers have become both suppliers of raw materials and beneficiaries of enriched soils, reviving the oasis’s environmental and economic potential.


Towards a Solution

The global food crisis is not simply a matter of production but of distribution, waste, and environmental mismanagement. As the world strives to eliminate hunger by 2030—a goal increasingly out of reach—innovative solutions like those pioneered by FoodBlessed remind us that change is possible. But achieving it on a global scale will require a shift from mere production increases to holistic strategies addressing waste, equity, and sustainability. Only then can the promise of abundance be extended to all.