Unlocking the Future of Food: How We’re $4.5 Trillion Short on Sustainable Supply—Insights from a Global Ag CEO

The world faces a serious challenge: we simply aren’t growing enough food to feed everyone. Experts say that investments in new solutions are lagging, which could lead to worsening food shortages.

According to Sunny Verghese, the CEO of Olam Group, several factors affect our food supply. We need more calories to feed people, yet there’s limited land for farming. Add to that greenhouse gas emissions, dwindling biodiversity, and a shortage of water for crops, and it becomes clear why we need to act. “We need about $4.5 trillion to invest in breakthroughs that will create a sustainable food future,” Verghese stated at the Fortune Global Forum.

Former U.S. Ambassador Ertharin Cousin offers a slightly different perspective. She believes we produce enough calories, but what’s missing are affordable, nutritious options. According to her, “2.4 billion people can’t afford a varied and healthy diet because we aren’t growing the right foods.”

Interestingly, recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture paints a somewhat positive picture. Food insecurity may actually improve this year, with income in 83 low- and middle-income countries projected to grow by 3.7%. As food prices stabilize, it’s expected that about 221 million fewer people will face food insecurity, bringing the total to around 604 million.

Nevertheless, the need for a sustainable food system remains urgent. Verghese warns that we will need 593 million hectares of land—almost twice the size of India—each year to keep up with food demands based on current growth rates.

Cousin, now leading FSF Ventures, is optimistic about technology’s role in helping us. She sees AI and other tech innovations as critical to boosting productivity on existing farmland. These advancements, combined with other eco-friendly solutions, could help tackle the food shortage effectively.

Cousin emphasizes the need to identify investment capital that will support a more efficient food system. “We need to make food more affordable and available,” she said, highlighting the responsibility that falls on both private and public sectors.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that investing in sustainable agricultural practices and innovative technologies is crucial. An informed public—and a willingness to embrace change—will play key roles in shaping our food system for generations to come.



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