Our Scans · (LF.2) 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 global food system and the future of agriculture is increasingly fragile and at risk, and it requires collective action to transform it in the face of increasing climate pressures, soil degradation, water scarcity and extreme weather events. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Keeping food trade open will remain critical to food security in 2026. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• [New] If current trends in decarbonization, desertification, and chemical contamination continue, much of the fertile soil layer essential for food production could be compromised within decades, with repercussions for nutritional quality, supply stability, and global food security. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• [New] By 2030, CEA will move beyond being an alternative farming model and emerge as a core pillar of global food security, urban resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Precision agriculture techniques are projected to increase crop productivity in the USA by nearly 25% through 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] More than 30 new standards relating to public data, data infrastructure, AI agents, high-quality datasets, full-scale urban digital transformation, important data catalogs for telecommunications, agriculture, aviation, aerospace and more are expected to be issued in 2026. IAPP.org
• [New] Recent consumer insights show most adults plan to focus on better nutrition in the year ahead and feel confident doing so when meals are built around familiar, easy-to-use foods. The Shelby Report
• [New] The USDA, which has also released a promotional video highlighting the health benefits of drinking whole milk, says it will rewrite the Child Nutrition Programs to ensure school meals align with the DGA. CNS Media
• [New] Agriculture is expected to show strong performance in 2026, particularly in food and beverage production, with projected growth of 9% and 9.3%, respectively. "Inform"
• [New] By investing in inclusive, locally led climate solutions, Canada is helping communities adapt to their changing environments, strengthen food security, and create sustainable economic opportunities. Open Access Government
• [New] The frequency and severity of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, heatwaves, and unseasonal frosts are increasing, threatening farm productivity and food security on a global scale. Farmonaut
• [New] Many American children will experience hunger as a daily reality as SNAP benefits shrink. Strategy Healthcare
• By 2026, over 60% of agriculture courses will include AI and data analytics modules. Farmonaut
• By embracing digital transformation, infrastructure advancements, and international trade opportunities, countries and businesses can ensure that agriculture remains a valuable necessity in production and trade-supporting livelihoods, protecting the environment, and driving the world forward. Farmonaut
• With the global population projected to cross 8.5 billion by 2030, agriculture is under pressure to produce more food using limited land and fewer resources. Farmonaut
• Together, sustainable and technologically enhanced agriculture paves the way toward a world with improved nutrition, equitable prosperity, cultural vitality, and a protected environment-making agriculture one of humanity's best hopes for the future. Farmonaut
• By 2026, the adoption of sustainable agriculture will continue to reduce hunger and further improve global nutrition especially in developing countries. Farmonaut
• The IPCC's most optimistic mitigation pathways for 2050 rely on climate-smart agriculture, a framework that continues to incorporate synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and genetically modified seeds. KevinMD.com
• Amid a climate crisis that continues to threaten food security across Africa, experts and pastoralists are calling for a rethink in planning and implementing development in pastoral regions of eastern and western Africa. Mirage News
• Regenerative agriculture was positioned as a key solution, with estimates suggesting that restoring 150 million hectares could generate $85 billion in economic benefits and improve food security for nearly 200 million people. Devex
• AI could transform African agriculture by giving farmers tailored advice, better soil data, and improved access to seeds and livestock. Devex
• ADB has announced it will expand food and nutrition security investments to $40 billion between 2022 and 2030, including $26 billion for the 2025-2030 period. Devex
• The Department of Agriculture recommended adding phosphate for food security reasons, and some public comments to the 2025 draft CML recommended adding boron for supply chain vulnerability reasons. Congressional Research Service

Last updated: 19 January 2026