Problem statement:

Policy makers are in agreement that the transition to more sustainable agriculture and food systems requires a multidimensional approach, meaning thereby the actions should not only focus on promoting changes in production systems and practice but should also build partnerships and alliances with stakeholders both within and beyond the food and agriculture sectors. It was observed that the private sector is potential to drive changes due to their efficiency of leveraging investments in the promotion of precision farming. The primary producers play an important role in agricultural transformation and need to be included in the development process and public-private-producer partnerships need to be promoted to gain from potential global value chains.

The aforesaid transformation, however, will require financing and the question remains on the pathways to unlock required funds and policy measures for development of sustainable agriculture and rural enterprises which essentially will synchronize into the broader development goals at the country and regional level. It was observed that innovative financial instruments and services are being used to fund the food systems to make it efficient. For example, blended finance from a range of different actors are found to augur well with the food systems transformation. Governments across the world currently provides half a trillion dollars a year in direct and indirect agricultural subsidies each year, but those do not necessarily generate the best outcomes in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability.