A recent report commissioned by the Farm Journal Foundation highlights how low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are highly susceptible to climate shocks. The report emphasizes that by enhancing access to social protection programs, investing in female-dominated sectors of the food value chain, and promoting regional food trade, these countries can bolster their resilience against the escalating climate crisis.

The report underscores that the climate crisis significantly impacts the quantity, quality, and accessibility of food, with changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events amplifying the effects. Ramya Ambikapathi, Senior Research Associate in Global Development at Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and co-author of the report, explains that it is crucial for policymakers to understand the vulnerabilities within food systems and how they are interconnected.

According to the authors, poverty and limited local investment weaken the ability of LMICs to withstand climate disruptions. This often leads to reduced access to nutritious food, putting LMIC populations—who are disproportionately at risk—at a higher likelihood of malnutrition and its severe health consequences.

The report outlines five key trends that shape global nutrition security. It highlights the critical role of diet in malnutrition and notes the particular vulnerability of women to both nutrition-related and mental health challenges. Despite women’s vital role in food systems, they often face inequities. Additionally, the report stresses that small and mid-scale farms, which are the primary food producers in LMICs, lack incentives to cultivate climate-resilient and diverse crops. The informal agriculture sector, while providing jobs and access to nutritious food, lacks crucial social security protections. The authors also identify the agri-food value chain as a vital entry point for transformative food system changes.

With the increasing unpredictability and intensity of climate shocks, understanding these trends becomes essential for strengthening food and agriculture systems. The report explains that such shocks disrupt food production, damage livelihoods, and diminish purchasing power, all of which destabilize smallholder farms and local communities. Non-linear climate shocks, those with delayed or cumulative impacts, are especially harmful and can devastate local food systems when a tipping point is reached.

Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Senior Research Associate at Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and co-author of the report, highlights the importance of incorporating non-linear drivers into planning. He points out that this is fundamental to creating robust governance structures that can design policies capable of withstanding future challenges.

The report advocates for an integrated approach that involves all sectors of society and government to address nutrition security and climate resilience globally. This approach focuses on how stakeholders across industries can facilitate greater access to healthy diets while reducing the environmental impact of food systems. Ambikapathi emphasizes the importance of breaking disciplinary silos to prepare for future food system challenges, stating that an integrated systems approach will help societies face what lies ahead.

Cultural norms also play a significant role in shaping nutrition security, with the report noting that food systems often reflect gender imbalances. Women tend to earn less and are more vulnerable to food insecurity. Mason-D’Croz cautions against imposing cultural change from outside, advocating instead for locally-led change to ensure sustainability.

The report offers a series of recommendations for U.S. policymakers to better support global nutrition security. These include investing in agricultural development, research, social programs that support farmers—particularly women—and improving public infrastructure and access to technical assistance.

While cultures evolve in response to new challenges, Mason-D’Croz notes that without local champions, external efforts are often unsustainable. He highlights the importance of local leadership in ensuring long-term success in building resilient food systems and addressing global nutrition security.