Research Series 70: Do not transform food systems on the backs of the rural poor

Even before the pandemic, there was a push to transform food systems for better nutritional, health, and environmental outcomes. In 2019, several publications argued for major changes in agricultural land use, production systems, and dietary choices in order to achieve this.

However, these reports fail to fully consider the impact of these measures on the livelihoods of 2.7 billion rural people who depend on small-scale food production. They also failed to propose specific measures to ensure the rural poor participate in – and benefit equitably from – food system transformation.

Although the importance of inclusion in food system transformation is gaining traction, this paper argues that recent research and discourse on the topic is insufficient and that specific actions are needed to ensure that this transformation does not take place on the backs of the rural poor.