Global Food Security

Food security, as defined at the World Food Summit in 1996, "exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life." Right now, the world is closer than ever before to ending global hunger, and agriculture is at the heart of the solution.

Global food security enhances U.S. security and prosperity. History has shown that poverty and hunger exacerbate many of today’s national security challenges. Growth in agriculture has been shown to be at least twice as effective at reducing poverty as growth in other sectors. We know that threats to crops do not respect borders, and investing in agricultural research today prepares us to adapt to future challenges and remain resilient amid evolving threats, which also advances U.S. prosperity and security. Effective food security investments that expand and protect economic opportunities for both the U.S. and developing nations help create a more stable and prosperous world.

The U.S. Government Global Food Security Strategy presents an integrated whole-of-government strategy, and agency-specific implementation plans as required by the Global Food Security Act of 2016.

Feed the Future is America's initiative to combat global hunger. Led by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Feed the Future brings together partners from across various sectors and the U.S. Government to use each of our unique skills and insights in a targeted, coordinated way to help address root causes of hunger and poverty by boosting agriculture-led growth, resilience, and nutrition in countries with great need and opportunity for improvement. USDA contributes to Feed the Future with agricultural programs and activities focused on capacity building, international food assistance, research, and the promotion of science-based solutions to expand markets and trade.

• Feed the Future Projects: Addressing food insecurity through research is a key component of Feed the Future. The Office of International Research Engagement and Cooperation facilitates ARS researchers’ participation. Feed the Future invests in research and develops innovations that are essential to the future of agriculture in developing countries, as well as the United States, through a network of U.S. universities and international and national research centers. USAID and ARS researchers work regionally with selected countries to build research capacity and apply new technologies for both the U.S. and developing nations.
• Collaborative Food Security Research: The Office of International Research Engagement and Cooperation facilitates collaborative research that addresses important challenges like food insecurity. ARS and counterpart scientists work together on these projects funded by USAID and other partners.