Global Scans · 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] Central Asia faces significant food security challenges, particularly with vulnerabilities in key commodities like sugar, cooking oil, and tea. News Central Asia (nCa)
• [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] Automated irrigation controllers will remain a critical technology for climate resilience, cost saving, and scalable agriculture in 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] Keeping food trade open will remain critical to food security in 2026. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• [New] 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
• [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] 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] Persistent pollution and greenhouse gas emissions threaten long-term sustainability and resilience of global agriculture. Farmonaut
• [New] Up to 60% of large-scale agriculture programs globally will integrate digital tools like GPS-guided machinery, IoT sensors, and drones into their core curricula. Farmonaut
• [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] Precision agriculture techniques are projected to increase crop productivity in the USA by nearly 25% through 2026. Farmonaut
• [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 2026, the adoption of sustainable agriculture will continue to reduce hunger and further improve global nutrition especially in developing countries. Farmonaut
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] AI could transform African agriculture by giving farmers tailored advice, better soil data, and improved access to seeds and livestock. Devex
• [New] 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
• [New] By 2026, over 60% of agriculture courses will include AI and data analytics modules. Farmonaut

Last updated: 19 January 2026