The latest report, “Turning Point: Feeding the World Sustainably,” outlines how sustainable agriculture, innovation, and circular food systems can drive economic growth and ensure global food security.
Deloitte India has unveiled its latest flagship report, “Turning Point: Feeding the World Sustainably”, highlighting the urgent need to transform global food systems by embedding climate resilience, productivity, and equity alongside efficiency.
The report emphasizes that a system-wide shift toward sustainable food production is now an economic imperative. As natural resources become scarcer, the food industry is increasingly aligning with climate goals and seeking strategic investments in sustainable agriculture and food technology to drive long-term growth.
“A sustainable food future requires a fundamental shift from business-as-usual,” said Viral Thakker, Partner and Sustainability and Climate Leader at Deloitte South Asia. “Investing in agricultural innovation, restoring ecosystems, and embedding circularity can unlock both economic and environmental dividends. This is a call for coordinated action across finance, technology, policy, and behavior.”
Key insights from the report include:
- Calorie production as a human impact metric: Companies are redefining success by focusing on nourishment, not just output, especially in high-undernourishment regions.
- Limits to agricultural expansion: With physical land constraints, the focus is shifting to yield-boosting technologies, regenerative practices, and land optimization.
- Climate-smart investments: Seen as a hedge against supply volatility and a tool for unlocking premium markets through improved traceability.
- Emissions reduction as a cost strategy: Industry players are reframing sustainability not just for compliance, but for long-term risk mitigation and cost efficiency.
- Circular food systems and waste reduction: Viewed as profit pools, not just environmental wins.
- Public-private alignment: There’s growing demand for better synergy between public investments in food security and private innovation.
Deloitte’s findings underline the mounting financial risk of inaction and the potential for GDP uplift through sustainable food system transformation. As the world faces a critical turning point, this report serves as a roadmap for governments, businesses, and investors to navigate food security challenges with scalable, resilient solutions.