IFPRI launches 2024 Global Food Policy Report in Kathmandu, emphasizing urgent need for transformative food systems

KATHMANDU: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Global Food Policy Report, titled *Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Nutrition*, at a South Asia regional event held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The report, co-authored by 41 researchers from IFPRI and its partner organizations, calls for transformative actions to ensure sustainable, healthy diets for all, emphasizing the urgent need to address malnutrition and food insecurity.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) in Nepal, brought together key stakeholders from across the region. The focus was on enhancing food security and transforming food systems to combat the persistent challenges of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the rising burden of overweight and obesity.

Key Findings of the 2024 Global Food Policy Report

The report sheds light on a concerning slowdown in progress toward reducing undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries. Simultaneously, it highlights a rapid increase in overweight and obesity rates, creating a “double burden of malnutrition.” This dual challenge—where undernutrition coexists with diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—poses significant global health threats, particularly in South Asia.

One of the report’s most alarming revelations is that over 2 billion people globally, including a substantial portion in South Asia, cannot afford a healthy diet. This affordability crisis exacerbates malnutrition and stymies efforts to improve nutrition outcomes across the region. The report stresses that food systems are not only failing to provide nutritious diets but are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. It calls for a comprehensive transformation of these systems to mitigate environmental impacts while ensuring food security.

Malnutrition in South Asia: A Persistent Challenge

South Asia remains one of the most affected regions by malnutrition, with high rates of stunting and wasting in children. During the event, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Population, Mr. Pradip Poudel, reflected on Nepal’s progress in tackling malnutrition, noting the significant strides made in reducing child mortality and stunting. “As per the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022, there has been a remarkable decrease in the child mortality rate, and stunting went down from 57% in 2001 to 25% in 2022,” he stated.

However, Minister Poudel also emphasized that despite these achievements, a large portion of the population, particularly women and children, still consumes unhealthy foods. He underscored the critical role of food systems in delivering high-quality diets, calling for a review of current strategies and stronger integration of food systems within the health sector.

Diet Quality: The Root of the Problem

The report identifies poor diet quality as a major driver of malnutrition in Nepal and other South Asian countries. Diets in the region are predominantly cereal-based, with low consumption of vegetables and other micronutrient-rich foods. This dietary imbalance not only contributes to undernutrition but is also fueling the rise in obesity and related health issues.

In Nepal, affordability is a significant barrier to accessing nutrient-rich foods, leaving many without the means to improve their diets. The report calls for urgent action to address these barriers, with a focus on making healthy, nutritious foods both accessible and affordable to all.

Expert Insights and Recommendations

Dr. Johan Swinnen, Director General of IFPRI and Managing Director of Systems Transformation at CGIAR, highlighted the need for collective action to implement the knowledge gained from the report. “It is now up to all of us to take this knowledge forward and invest in and implement what we have learned on what is most effective,” he said. Dr. Swinnen outlined four critical entry points for achieving sustainable healthy diets: availability, accessibility, affordability, and desirability.

Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director of the South Asia Region at IFPRI, emphasized that true economic growth in the region can only be achieved when the population is well-nourished. He pointed out that while South Asia has made the transition from food scarcity to surplus, the challenge now lies in ensuring that this surplus translates into improved nutrition for all.

The report also advocates for crop-neutral policies that encourage the production and consumption of diverse, nutrient-rich foods, as well as adjustments to agricultural subsidies and enhancements to social safety net programs. Dr. Geertrui Louwagie, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for a multi-sectoral approach to improving diets and addressing malnutrition.

Strengthening Governance and Collaboration

Another key theme of the report is the importance of strengthening governance and fostering collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. Such cooperation is essential for creating an enabling environment for sustainable healthy diets. Mr. Niels Balzer, Deputy Country Director at the World Food Programme, Nepal, emphasized the need to upscale the availability of fortified foods to combat micronutrient deficiencies. He urged greater involvement from the private sector in fortification efforts to ensure these products are widely available.

Dr. Hari Bahadur K C, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal, commended the report’s insights into food and nutrition security. He called for the development of a robust policy framework to guide future actions in transforming food systems. Dr. Biswash Gauchan, Executive Director of IIDS, echoed this sentiment, describing the 2024 Global Food Policy Report as a call to action for urgent, concerted efforts to improve global nutrition and health outcomes.

A Roadmap for Transformative Change

The 2024 Global Food Policy Report serves as a crucial roadmap for policymakers, stakeholders, and communities aiming to prioritize sustainable healthy diets as a cornerstone of public health and development. It provides a detailed analysis of both demand-side and supply-side challenges, offering practical recommendations for making nutritious diets aspirational, affordable, and accessible to all.

Dr. Purnima Menon, Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at CGIAR and IFPRI, who led the development of the report, along with Dr. Avinash Kishore, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI and the author of the report’s South Asia chapter, presented key findings and recommendations during the event. Their work highlights the urgent need for systemic change to address the intertwined challenges of malnutrition, diet-related NCDs, and environmental sustainability.

As the global community continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, economic inequality, and public health crises, the 2024 Global Food Policy Report underscores the critical role of food systems in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for all. The launch event in Kathmandu marks a pivotal moment in the regional and global effort to transform food systems and improve nutrition outcomes for generations to come.