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Specialization in food production affects global food security and food systems sustainability

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  • Campi, Mercedes
  • Dueñas, Marco
  • Fagiolo, Giorgio

Abstract

Understanding specialization patterns of countries in food production can provide relevant insights for the evaluation and design of policies seeking to achieve food security and sustainability, which are key to reach several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper builds bipartite networks of food products and food-producing countries, using FAO data from 1993 to 2013, to characterize the global food production system. We use methods from complex systems analysis to rank products according to their need for capabilities and countries according to their competitiveness, which derives from the quality and diversification of their food production baskets. We observe two well-defined communities of food-producing countries, one that groups countries with relatively developed agricultural systems, and the other grouping countries with less developed production systems. The stability of these two communities reveals persistent differences between countries specialization patterns. We econometrically analyze whether and how specialization patterns affect food supply, food security (SDGs: Targets 2.1 and 2.2), and sustainability of food systems (SDGs: Target 2.4). We show that concentrating agricultural production negatively impacts food supply, food security, and food systems sustainability. The competitiveness of countries and the coherence of their diversification patterns increase per capita food supply and food security but might harm sustainability. This evidence reflects the trade-off between achieving food security while simultaneously improving sustainability, which needs to be considered when developing or implementing policies seeking to reach SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Campi, Mercedes & Dueñas, Marco & Fagiolo, Giorgio, 2021. "Specialization in food production affects global food security and food systems sustainability," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:141:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x21000231
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105411
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    3. Mohammad Fazle Rabbi & Morshadul Hasan & Sándor Kovács, 2021. "Food Security and Transition towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Mercedes Campi & Marco Dueñas & Tommaso Ciarli, 2024. "Do creative industries enhance employment growth? Regional evidence from Colombia," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(3), pages 425-441, March.
    5. Tatar, Maryna, 2023. "Agricultural sector development and elasticity of its links with the food security level," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 9(4), December.
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    7. Kornher, Lukas & Kubik, Zaneta & Chichaibelu, Bezawit Beyene & Torero Cullen, Maximo, 2023. "The aid-nutrition link – Does targeted development assistance related to food systems matter?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    8. Zhiqi Sun & Ruifa Hu & Yu Hong, 2022. "Does yield gap still matter? Evidence from rice production in China," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(3), pages 829-840, June.
    9. Ondrej Beňuš & Peter Bielik & Natália Turčeková & Izabela Adamičková, 2021. "Sustainability of the Slovak Spirits Industry in the Single Market of the EU," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    10. Aragie, E. & Balié, J. & Morales, C. & Pauw, K., 2023. "Synergies and trade-offs between agricultural export promotion and food security: Evidence from African economies," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    11. Siphelele Vincent Wekeza & Melusi Sibanda & Kenneth Nhundu, 2022. "Prospects for Organic Farming in Coping with Climate Change and Enhancing Food Security in Southern Africa: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    12. Abdulrasheed Zakari & Jurij Toplak & Luka Martin Tomažič, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship between Energy and Food Security in Africa with Instrumental Variables Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, July.
    13. Campi, Mercedes & Dueñas, Marco, 2022. "Clusters and Resilience during the COVID–19 Crisis: Evidence from Colombian Exporting Firms," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 12527, Inter-American Development Bank.
    14. Di Novi, Cinzia & Marenzi, Anna, 2022. "Improving health and sustainability: Patterns of red and processed meat consumption across generations," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(12), pages 1324-1330.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Specialization; Diversification; Food supply; Food security; Sustainability; Complex networks; Bipartite networks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • F63 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Economic Development

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