This report identifies, analysesand presents for discussion key issues concerning the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in ensuring food security by 2030, particularly in developing countries. The report also highlights contributions by Member Stateson good practices and lessons for applying STI for food security. Chapter I provides an introduction to the global challenge of food security. Chapter II presents technologies that can play a role in addressing the dimensions of food security, namely food availability, access, utilization and use, and stability. Chapter III highlights how policymakers can build and strengthen innovative food systems to appropriately harness science and technology for food security. Chapter IV presents findings and suggestions for consideration by Member Statesand other relevant stakeholders.

About 795 million people, or every ninth person, is undernourished, including 4.90million children under the age of five.Thevast majority of them (780 million people) live in the developing regions, notably in Africa and Asia. Depending on the region considered, the share of undernourished people differs considerably, ranging fromless than 5percentto more than 35 per cent. In particular, sub-Saharan Africa shows high values,with almost 25percent of the population undernourished.While the hunger rate –the share of undernourished in the total population –has fallen in theregion, the number of undernourished people has increased by 44 million since 1990 due to population growth. Inabsolute terms, thenumber of people exposed to food insecurity ishighest in South Asia, with 281 million undernourished people

A number of technologies can play a role in addressing concernsrelated to the four dimensions of food security (seetable).New and existing technologies to combat biotic and abiotic stresses, raisecrop andlivestock productivity, improve soil fertility and make water available can potentially increase the amount of food produced. Storage, refrigeration, transportand agro-processing innovations can address the dimension of food accessibility. Science to produce high-nutrient staple crops can combat malnutrition, improving food utilizationand use. Finally, STI for climate change mitigation and adaptation –including precision agriculture, index-based insuranceand early warning systems –can address food instability.

Transgenic modification confers a number of benefits, including tolerance to biotic 13.stresses (insects and disease), abiotic stresses(drought), improved nutrition, taste and appearance, herbicide toleranceand reduced use of synthetic fertilizers. Given the challenges of increasing water scarcity and land degradation,such technologies potentially increase productivity per area unit or plant. A number of countries such as Bulgaria, through its Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics,are developing capabilities in thesemodern agricultural biotechnologies to increasethe tolerance of crops to environmental stressors.

The UNCTAD report :
The report is divided into four sections. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the challenge of ensuring food security, highlighting the geography of food insecurity, specific socioeconomic, environmental and political challenges that exacerbate food insecurity, and the role of the Sustainable Development Goals in ensuring “Zero Hunger” by 2030. Chapter 2 discusses how various scientific and technological applications can address the four dimensions of food security, namely availability, access, use/utilization and stability. Chapter 3 explores how countries can reimagine their food systems as innovation systems with attention to the building of local innovative capabilities, enabling infrastructure for agricultural innovation, developing coherent policies and strengthening knowledge flows to facilitate technology dissemination. Chapter 4 presents policy considerations and strategic recommendations for national Governments, the private sector, agricultural research institutions and other stakeholders.