Putting food systems thinking into practice: Integrating agricultural sectors into a multi-level analytical framework

• Published in: Global food security 2022-03, Vol.32, p.100591, Article 100591
• Main Authors: Borman, Gareth D., de Boef, Walter S., Dirks, Flo, Gonzalez, Yeray Saavedra, Subedi, Abishkar, Thijssen, Marja H., Jacobs, Judith, Schrader, Ted, Boyd, Salome, ten Hove, Hermine J., van der Maden, Edwin, Koomen, Irene, Assibey-Yeboah, Sheila, Moussa, Coulibaly, Uzamukunda, Assumpta, Daburon, Annabelle, Ndambi, Asaah, van Vugt, Simone, Guijt, Joost, Kessler, Jan Joost, Molenaar, Jan Willem, van Berkum, Siemen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural sector; COVID-19 infection; food security; Food systems; horticulture; Rapid assessment; risk; System innovation; United nations food systems summit
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100591

In the wake of the United Nations Food Systems Summit - the first of its kind - practitioners need to capture the abstract concept of the food system and learn how the process of transformation that they engage in contributes to food system outcomes or risk operating in silos. With that aim, we focus on sector analysis, interpreting changes in sector performance as food system outcomes. This makes food systems thinking more actionable. We share an application of the integrated framework in a particular case: rapid assessments of the impact of COVID-19 on the functioning of the horticulture, sesame, and seed sectors across seven low- and middle-income countries. We highlight lessons learned from applying the multi-level integrated framework for putting food systems thinking into practice. First, we introduce the food system and sector frameworks, and then present their consolidation into an integrated framework. Second, we share an experience of applying the integrated framework to a particular and present-day case: rapid assessments of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of various agricultural sectors. Third, we highlight lessons learned from incorporating the food system and sector frameworks into one integrated framework, and its application in the rapid assessments. •Abstract food systems thinking needs actionable levels of application.•Integration of sectors into food systems creates a multi-level analytical framework.•An integrated framework aligns sector transformation with food system outcomes.•Rapid sector assessments prompted actions to mitigate negative food system outcomes.