Food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture

Food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture constitute fundamental elements that contribute significantly to the attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are a globally shared blueprint that calls for peace and prosperity for all people and the planet. Focusing on food security and nutrition is directly linked to SDG 2 which seeks to "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture." Beyond SDG 2, these themes also relate to other SDGs such as Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being, Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 13 - Climate Action. The relationship between sustainable agriculture and these goals is profound; by promoting eco-friendly farming methods, we reduce the environmental footprint, mitigate climate change, and ensure the long-term sustainability of food production systems.

Moreover, sustainable agriculture is vital in fostering biodiversity, improving soil health, and enhancing water use efficiency, which are critical aspects related to Goals 14 and 15 - Life below Water and Life on Land respectively. By safeguarding our ecosystems, we not only ensure food security but also the preservation of the natural environment for future generations. In turn, better nutrition is a conduit to improved health (SDG 3), and it can also influence educational outcomes (SDG 4), given the known links between nutrition and cognitive development.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the interconnections go beyond these goals. There's an important nexus between sustainable agriculture, food security and issues of poverty (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), and economic growth (SDG 8), among others. Sustainable agriculture creates job opportunities, thus reducing poverty levels. By empowering women in agriculture, we can help achieve gender equality. Proper water and sanitation practices in agriculture can prevent contamination, ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Therefore, the triad of food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture, while being a significant goal in itself, is also a vehicle that drives the achievement of the wider Sustainable Development Goals.

Haloxylon ammodendron is a xerohalophytic shrub from deserts of Asia that can survive at very low soil water content. In this study, the authors provided evidence that the transcription factor HaASR2 plays a critical role in plant adaptation to drought and salt stress and, therefore, could represent a promising gene for the improvement of crop in arid environments.
Elsevier,

Environmental Advances, Volume 10, December 2022

This article supports SDG's 2, 3 and 12 by considering production steps (cell extraction, cell line establishment, cell culture and scaffolding) and challenges (technology limitations, consumer acceptance & law and legislation) for the development of lLab-based meat, which is more sustainable and safer to consume than conventional meat.
Microplastics are plastic pieces smaller than 5 mm in size. They are considered emerging contaminants due to their toxic effect on living organisms.
Elsevier,

Jessyca Adelle Silva Santos, Queila Souza Garcia, Chapter 5 - Ethylene in the regulation of seed dormancy and germination: Biodiversity matters, Editor(s): Nafees A. Khan, Antonio Ferrante, Sergi Munné-Bosch, The Plant Hormone Ethylene, Academic Press, 2023, Pages 61-71, ISBN 9780323858465

This content aligns with Goal 15: Life on Land and Goal 2: Zero Hunger by focusing on seed biodiversity.
The paper discusses the complexity of the interactions and effects of climate change on food security.
Developing plant-based burgers. Consumer perception of clean label in plant-based meat alternatives was investigated.
Development of plant based meat analogues for sustainable food systems.
Elsevier,

Future Foods, Volume 6, December 2022

Lab grown meat as a sustainable alternative.
Elsevier,

Future Foods, Volume 6, December 2022

New foods for sustainable consumption.
Developing sustainable alternative to foods.

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