TABLE 1.

Key challenges in food systems in LMICs and proposed solutions¹

Challenges in food systems	Proposed solutions
1. Complexity of food systems	• Refinement of concepts and definitions through research and across specializations• Tools and metrics can be refined, simplified and standardized, and approaches developed to allow the collection of data at national and subnational levels
2. Scarcity of data on food systems	• Collection on data in systematic and simplified approaches across countries• Development of dashboards and other resources tracking progress in food systems
3. Lack of appropriate tools and indicators for the measurement of food systems, including diet quality, food affordability, and drivers of food choices in LMICs	• Development and validation of tools and indices for measuring diet quality, assessing both micronutrient adequacy and consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods• Development and validation of tools for assessing affordability• Increased research to determine the drivers of food choices
4. Knowledge gaps: Which food systems interventions are effective in improving diets and addressing suboptimal nutrition in LMICs	• Innovation and research in technology to increase the production of nutrient-dense food crops such as legumes and beans, small livestock production• Improvements in genetics and market linkages for nutrient-rich food crops, biofortification, small livestock production• Well-designed interventions to evaluate the effectiveness of agriculture and food systems approaches to improving nutrition, considering intermediary outcomes (e.g., dietary diversity, the role of markets)• Design and test innovative approaches for scale-up of effective interventions and conduct pilot studies and operations research
5. Environmental risks to nutrition	• Research on new technology and innovation in the areas of management practices and pest control, and actions taken to prevent natural resource degradation• Innovation in farm management practices (e.g., agro-ecological approaches, adopting pollinator-friendly practices to improve yields of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes)
6. Interdisciplinary training and skills are lacking	• Interdisciplinary approaches in research and groups undertaking work on food systems (include economists, social scientists, behavior-change experts, agriculture experts)• Pre- and in-service training for agriculture, health, food science, and other groups (such as extension staff) to include nutrition training• Cross-disciplinary and multisector training through short courses, joint training, and learning approaches across various sectors

¹LMIC, low- and middle-income country.