Rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity over the past two decades has resulted in a drop by almost half in the proportion of undernourished people around the world. This is a significant achievement. However, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries: 795 million people were estimated to be chronically undernourished in 2014-2016.

The adopted Sustainable Development Goals are aimed at ending by 2030 all forms of hunger and malnutrition, making sure that all people Sustainable Development Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture – especially children and the more vulnerable – have access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round. Making those goals a reality will involve promoting sustainable agricultural practices: improving the livelihoods and capacities of small-scale farmers and allowing equal access to land, technology and markets. It also will require international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity.