Home > Reframing the debate on urbanisation, rural transformation and food security
Author(s):
Cecilia Tacoli, Bill Vorley
Publisher:
IIED briefing
Year:
2015
More than half the world’s population live in urban areas. Growing numbers of people in rural areas buy more food than they sell. Current food security narratives are outdated: urban dwellers are not all “over consumers” and rural communities are not exclusively food producers. For effective policymaking, the production-based debate on food security must adapt to consider how consumption and urbanization are transforming rural spaces and economies, food systems and food security. It must focus on access, affordability, safety and nutrition for both rural and urban low-income groups. Policy can be informed by innovations in trade networks and governance systems that span urban and rural contexts. The authors report on how they are working with partners in Africa and Asia on an ambitious change initiative that will support an evidence-based shift in global food security narratives.
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