Global Scans · Zero Hunger · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

• [New] The war in Iran could push an additional 45 million people into acute hunger in just three months, causing record levels of global food insecurity. Live Science
• [New] The Middle East conflict risks adding a staggering 45 million to acute hunger levels, warns the UN's World Food Programme. Al Jazeera
• [New] Tens of millions more people will face acute hunger if the United States-Israel war on Iran, and its reverberations through Iran's retaliation, continue through to June, the United Nations warned. Al Jazeera
• [New] By 2026, precision agriculture is projected to increase global crop yields by up to 20% through data-driven decisions. Farmonaut
• [New] Over 60% of farms worldwide will adopt some form of digital agriculture or precision technologies during the third agricultural revolution by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] As global agriculture transitions toward climate-resilient production systems, regenerative agriculture is expected to play a critical role in restoring degraded land, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable rural economies. openpr
• [New] By 2026, over 35% of U.S. farmers are expected to adopt at least one regenerative agriculture practice. Farmonaut
• [New] In 2026 and beyond, vertical farming will be a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, sustainable farm management could increase crop yields by up to 25%, strengthening food security worldwide. Farmonaut
• [New] The Albanese Government will always work to ensure Australians can gain the skills they need for good, secure jobs that help keep Australian agriculture strong. Mirage News
• [New] ABARES forecasts show agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports will reach a record high of $85 billion in 2025-26, with more demand than ever for Australia's world-class food and fiber. Mirage News
• [New] Australian agriculture is set to reach a record $101.4 billion in gross production value in 2025-26 before easing in 2026-27, with both prices and output expected to soften. Mirage News
• [New] The reliance on the Middle East for essential phosphates has proven to be a strategic vulnerability for Western food security. The Chronicle-Journal
• Across the GCC countries, labourers in outdoor construction, oil-fields, and agriculture, for example, are at greater risk of heat illness and injury, with low-income families experiencing a double burden of occupational heat and indoor chronic exposure. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• Possible El Nino conditions in the second half of calendar year 2026 could adversely impact agriculture and rural consumption. crisil
• Looking ahead, Qatar's continued innovation, sustainability efforts, and global partnerships will not only safeguard food supply but also cement its position as a regional pioneer in food security. Qatar Day
• The Eastern Cape plays a critical role in advancing small-scale agriculture in South Africa, with potato production offering significant potential to improve both food security and household income. AgriOrbit
• Expanding food security and economic prosperity under rapidly changing environmental stresses will require transformative advances in global crop improvement speed and efficacy. Nature
• By creating shifting regional drought 'hubs,' climate cycles like El Nino limit global crop risk and may provide early warning signals for food security. Climate Tech Venture Review
• By 2026, precision vertical agriculture will have established itself as a cornerstone of sustainable food systems. Farmonaut
• Government grants for vertical farming are expected to rise by 25% by 2026, boosting sustainable food security projects. Farmonaut

Last updated: 23 March 2026