Global Food Security: Role of Knowledge Sharing
- David Bell
- Nov 5
- 10 min read
Hunger affects 735 million people globally, while one-third of all food produced - enough to feed 2 billion people - is wasted annually. Climate change, population growth, and limited resources like water and arable land worsen the crisis. Knowledge sharing offers a way forward by connecting experts, governments, and organisations to share solutions like drought-resistant crops, waste-reduction techniques, and advanced farming practices.
Key initiatives include:
FAO’s KORE Platform: Facilitates rapid information exchange during crises.
Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard: Provides real-time data for informed decisions.
Foresight4Food Initiative: Develops future-focused strategies through global collaboration.
Results show improved food systems, better policies, and tools like the Household Food Insecurity Experience Scales (HFIES) helping governments target interventions. Programmes also promote sustainable alternatives, like cultivated meat, to reduce environmental pressures.
Collaboration, real-time data, and shared expertise are essential to tackling food insecurity. The global community must act decisively to build resilient systems and reduce hunger worldwide.
Major Platforms and Networks for Knowledge Sharing
Tackling global food insecurity depends heavily on digital platforms and networks that enable collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across the world. These systems play a critical role in distributing research, shaping policies, and building partnerships that can drive large-scale changes in food systems.
FAO's KORE Knowledge Platform
The Knowledge, Outreach, Research and Expertise (KORE) platform is a cornerstone for emergency response and resilience-building in food security. This tool is designed to facilitate rapid information exchange during crises, connecting stakeholders across continents when time is of the essence.
KORE shares best practices and offers technical support for both immediate crisis response and long-term planning. Whether dealing with droughts or supply chain disruptions caused by conflict, this platform provides actionable strategies and helps coordinate relief efforts. It also promotes knowledge sharing between developed and developing nations, with a focus on South-South exchanges. This approach acknowledges that solutions developed in similar climatic and economic contexts often have a higher chance of success [2].
Real-time data is essential for sound decision-making in food security, and the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard delivers exactly that. This platform provides live metrics and visualisations on critical food security indicators, empowering policymakers and researchers to track trends, spot emerging issues, and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
By offering up-to-date information on factors like food availability, pricing trends, and nutritional outcomes, the Dashboard has transformed how organisations respond to food security risks. Gone are the days of relying solely on outdated reports - this system allows decision-makers to act based on current data. It also encourages collaboration through its interactive features, enabling stakeholders to share insights and prepare for challenges with proactive strategies [5].
Addressing future food security challenges requires platforms that can bring together diverse expertise, and the Foresight4Food Initiative excels in this area. Through workshops and global forums, it unites experts, policymakers, and practitioners to develop scenario-based strategies for building resilient food systems.
What sets this initiative apart is its participatory approach. Rather than simply distributing existing knowledge, Foresight4Food actively involves stakeholders in creating solutions. Using scenario planning, participants explore potential changes in areas like climate, technology, and population demographics, then work backwards to identify the skills and knowledge needed to adapt. Its global forums have become key events for the international food security community, ensuring that discussions lead to actionable strategies tailored to specific contexts [3].
Platform | Primary Function | Key Stakeholders | Main Contribution |
FAO KORE | Emergency response & resilience | Governments, NGOs, technical experts | Rapid information exchange and best practice sharing |
Global Dashboard | Real-time monitoring | Policymakers, researchers, international organisations | Live data, trend analysis, and preparedness planning |
Foresight4Food | Strategic planning | Multi-sector experts, practitioners | Scenario development and collaborative solution design |
Together, these platforms create a network that supports global food security through shared knowledge and coordinated action. They lay the groundwork for effective initiatives and measurable progress, which will be explored in the following section.
Effective Knowledge Sharing Initiatives and Their Results
When food security programmes succeed, they produce clear, measurable results that reshape how communities tackle hunger and malnutrition. These efforts demonstrate how well-coordinated knowledge-sharing initiatives can significantly strengthen food systems across various regions and conditions.
Household Food Insecurity Experience Scales
The Household Food Insecurity Experience Scales (HFIES) are widely recognised tools in the global fight against food insecurity. These scales help governments evaluate the extent of food insecurity within households, enabling them to design more precise interventions [6]. By collecting data on families' experiences with food access over specific periods, HFIES provide comparable insights across different countries. This consistency allows policymakers to monitor trends and assess the impact of their programmes. Moreover, the information gathered through HFIES has been instrumental in directing food assistance to those households experiencing the most severe insecurity.
FoSTr Programme and Cross-Country Workshops
Virtual platforms and collaborative workshops have revolutionised the way food security strategies are shared and adapted. Programmes like FoSTr use these tools, along with South-South knowledge exchanges, to share effective practices and tailor strategies to local conditions [2]. A key strength of these cross-country workshops is their peer-to-peer learning model, which encourages countries facing similar challenges to exchange practical solutions. Virtual workshops, in particular, have expanded outreach, maintained engagement, and cut down on travel expenses. These efforts have delivered tangible results, including better knowledge retention, increased adoption of new technologies, and the successful localisation of food security strategies [2].
In addition to workshops, research-driven practices have played a crucial role in building agricultural resilience.
Evidence-Based Practices in Agricultural Resilience
Research-backed agricultural methods have shown remarkable potential to boost yields and reduce vulnerability to climate risks. Initiatives like the Global Flagship Initiative have promoted the use of drought-resistant crops, integrated pest management, and climate-smart farming techniques. These approaches have led to higher crop yields, reduced reliance on chemical inputs, and greater resilience to climate shocks, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa [3].
Another key player in reducing food waste is the Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste, which addresses the staggering one-third of global food production that is lost or wasted annually [2]. Similarly, the CLEAR (Communication, Literacy and Education for Agricultural Research) programme, affiliated with the UC Davis World Food Center, focuses on preparing science communicators to better engage the public on food and agricultural issues. By improving food literacy and making research more accessible, CLEAR highlights how education and outreach can amplify the impact of research-driven practices [4].
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the power of combining rigorous research with practical implementation. Farmers adopting drought-resistant crops have reported improved yields, while integrated pest management has reduced the need for chemical inputs without sacrificing productivity. Meanwhile, climate-smart farming techniques have helped communities maintain agricultural output despite increasingly unpredictable weather. Whether through measurement tools or educational programmes, these efforts collectively drive meaningful progress in improving food systems worldwide.
Measuring and Evaluating Knowledge Sharing Efforts
Evaluating the success of knowledge-sharing initiatives requires systems that not only collect data but also assess their impact on global food security. This process is complex and demands frameworks that can measure both immediate outcomes and long-term changes.
Frameworks and Indicators for Evaluation
Evaluation frameworks often integrate several methods to assess both short- and long-term results. For example, the FAO's Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste focuses on monitoring, capacity building, and evidence-based advocacy to cut food loss in G20 and low-income countries[2]. Similarly, the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security employs a science-driven approach combined with stakeholder engagement. Launched during COP16 in Riyadh, it promotes cost-efficient innovations with support from the private sector[3].
Key indicators used across these frameworks include:
Tracking the Adaptation and Scaling of Practices
Tracking how shared practices are adapted regionally is essential for scaling successes. However, this is no easy task. The Global Flagship Initiative gathers data on replication, regional application, and commercial viability - particularly in Africa - through stakeholder meetings and targeted discussions[3]. Another valuable resource is the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard, developed by the World Bank Group and the G7 Presidency in May 2022. This tool provides timely insights for global and local decision-makers, enhancing policy and financial responses to food crises[6][5].
Platforms like these help monitor how practices are adapted and scaled, while also identifying new opportunities. As Dr Stefan Schmitz from the Crop Trust points out, collaboration across sectors is critical to transforming agriculture and ensuring food security. Similarly, Dr Nasser Al-Kahtani from AGFUND stresses the importance of supporting smallholder farmers and prioritising regions with severe food insecurity[3].
Challenges in Data Harmonisation and Inclusivity
One major hurdle is achieving consistent data formats and metrics across different countries, especially given disparities in technological capabilities[2]. The World Bank Group has made strides with publicly accessible dashboards to improve decision-making, but gaps in standardisation persist[6].
Inclusivity presents another challenge. Marginalised communities often lack the digital tools and resources needed to participate in data collection. Initiatives that involve local stakeholders, focus on smallholder farmers, and encourage South–South knowledge exchange can help bridge this gap. For instance, the Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS) has introduced tools like dashboards and preparedness plans, creating multiple access points for a diverse range of stakeholders[5].
Looking ahead, advancements in data analytics, stronger cross-sector collaboration, and unified food security metrics could significantly improve the accuracy and timeliness of monitoring efforts[7].
Mission-Driven Movements in Food Security
Expanding on the collaborative efforts previously discussed, mission-driven movements bring a more personal touch to addressing food insecurity. As hunger remains a global challenge, these initiatives - rooted in strong social and ethical goals - rally support and spark innovation through education and advocacy efforts[3].
The Cultivarian Society: Championing Cultivated Meat
David Bell established The Cultivarian Society with a clear purpose: to promote cultivated meat - real meat produced without the need for animal slaughter - as a solution to the ethical, environmental, and societal issues tied to industrial farming.
Recent data underscores the potential of this sector, which has grown significantly, with 259 cultivated meat companies projected to operate globally by 2025[1]. The Society plays a crucial role in educating the public about cellular agriculture, presenting cultivated meat as a forward-thinking, ethical alternative for future food systems.
Outreach and Collaborative Efforts
The Cultivarian Society goes beyond advocacy by employing a variety of strategies to drive meaningful change. Its educational programmes demystify the science behind cultivated meat, explaining both how it is made and why it offers a sustainable option for the future of food.
The Society actively pushes for regulatory frameworks that support this innovation while fostering grassroots connections through newsletters, meetups, and open discussions. By partnering with researchers, startups, and policymakers, it bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world application.
Through transparent communication and community engagement, the Society builds trust and encourages the adoption of cultivated meat. This approach demonstrates how mission-driven movements can tackle food security challenges by addressing resource scarcity, environmental pressures, and ethical dilemmas all at once. It also aligns seamlessly with the global knowledge-sharing efforts highlighted earlier[3][8].
Conclusion: Building Global Food Security Through Knowledge Sharing
Global food security hinges on building strong, collaborative networks. A great example is the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, which hosted its first stakeholder meeting in Bonn, Germany, in May 2025. This gathering brought together leaders from development funds, government bodies, the private sector, and multilateral organisations, all united by a shared goal: advancing sustainable agricultural solutions, particularly in Africa[3]. This event laid the groundwork for combining digital tools and advocacy efforts into a unified global strategy.
Tackling today’s food security challenges requires partnerships that include everyone. The importance of real-time, integrated data and international teamwork cannot be overstated. The FAO/IFPRI Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste is a prime example of how global information-sharing networks can improve data collection and build capacity in both G20 nations and low-income countries[2].
Digital platforms play a critical role in effective knowledge sharing. Take the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard, for instance. It tracks around 25 key indicators to monitor both acute and chronic food insecurity, offering real-time, transparent data. This tool helps stakeholders assess the success of interventions and fine-tune strategies as needed. By streamlining donor efforts, it ensures decision-makers have the latest information for both immediate crises and long-term planning[9].
While digital tools provide the data, mission-driven movements turn those insights into actionable solutions. One such initiative, the Cultivarian Society (https://cultivarian.food), advocates for cultivated meat as a sustainable alternative. With 259 cultivated meat companies now operating globally[1], these efforts demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can be translated into practical, real-world applications.
The path to food security lies in ongoing collaboration, transparent data sharing, and support for forward-thinking initiatives. By nurturing inclusive networks and investing in tools that provide actionable insights, the global community can create a resilient and ethical food system. The framework is already in place - what’s needed now is sustained, coordinated action to turn these efforts into lasting solutions for global food security.
FAQs
How does sharing knowledge help tackle global food waste?
Sharing knowledge is a powerful way to tackle food waste by spreading awareness, practical advice, and creative solutions. When people, communities, and organisations exchange ideas, they gain a clearer understanding of why food waste happens and how to combat it. For instance, public education campaigns can show households the best ways to store food, while businesses can learn how to fine-tune their supply chains to cut down on spoilage.
On a global level, sharing knowledge opens the door to cross-border collaboration, helping countries adapt successful strategies to suit their unique circumstances. By encouraging conversation and sharing effective practices, we can take meaningful steps towards building a food system that wastes less and uses resources more thoughtfully.
How do digital platforms like the FAO’s KORE Platform and the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard help tackle food insecurity?
Digital platforms like the FAO’s KORE Platform and the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard are key tools in tackling food insecurity. They provide access to reliable data, practical tools, and essential resources, helping governments, organisations, and communities gain a clearer understanding of the challenges surrounding food security and make smarter decisions.
These platforms go beyond just sharing knowledge - they track progress and encourage collaboration to uncover effective ways to improve food systems worldwide. For instance, they provide valuable insights into agricultural trends, the effects of climate change, and nutrition statistics. This information equips stakeholders to create targeted interventions and policies aimed at ensuring fair and sustainable access to food for all.
How can individuals and communities contribute to global knowledge-sharing efforts to improve food security?
Local communities and individuals hold a powerful position when it comes to tackling food security issues. By getting involved in knowledge-sharing efforts, they can contribute in meaningful ways. This might mean joining educational campaigns, backing cutting-edge ideas like cultivated meat, or opening up conversations about building more sustainable food systems.
When people come together to share ideas, spread awareness, and embrace practices that focus on ethical and eco-friendly food production, they can spark real change. Even small, collective efforts can ripple outwards, creating a lasting global impact and helping to secure a better, more sustainable future for all.
Comments