Prof. Haider Ali Al-Dulaimi
College of Administrative Sciences - Al-Mustaqbal University
In light of the accelerating challenges facing the world, including climate change, resource scarcity, and disrupted supply chains, the green economy has emerged as an alternative development strategy that seeks to reconcile economic growth, environmental protection, and social justice. Among the 17 goals identified by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal 2: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture occupies a pivotal position, not only because it represents a humanitarian necessity, but also because it forms the basis for achieving economic, social, and environmental stability in all countries. Accordingly, we will address a number of issues that we will clarify in this article, including:
1. The structural relationship between food security and the green economy
The green economy intersects with the food security system at several levels:
• Sustainable production: The green economy relies on food production that reduces water and energy consumption and limits the use of chemicals. Organic agriculture, precision agriculture, and smart irrigation systems all fall within this framework.
• Reducing food loss and waste: The green economy contributes to the creation of integrated systems for managing food loss through recycling, reuse, and converting waste into energy or organic fertilizer.
• Strengthening local food systems: The green economy encourages shortening supply chains and supporting local markets, which reduces transportation-related emissions and promotes self-sufficiency.
Achieving food security in this context is not simply understood as "increasing food production," but rather as a structural shift in production and consumption models that ensures equitable access to food without compromising ecosystems.
2. Sustainable Agriculture as the Backbone of the Green Transformation
Sustainable agriculture is the practical approach to translating the principles of the green economy into action. It reshapes the relationship between humans and nature through:
• Shifting from resource-intensive agriculture to climate-smart agriculture, which focuses on adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Rehabilitating degraded lands through soil conservation agriculture techniques, nutrient recycling, and afforestation.
• Enhancing agricultural biodiversity, which contributes to the stability of ecosystems and increases crop resistance to diseases and pests.
In this context, the green agricultural transformation constitutes a foundation for creating more resilient and sustainable food systems capable of withstanding environmental and economic shocks.
3. Economic and Social Dimensions of the Green Agricultural Transformation
The green economy is characterized by its comprehensive nature, integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions. In the agricultural sector, this is demonstrated through:
• Empowering small farmers through green financing and appropriate technology and integrating them into sustainable value chains.
• Creating decent job opportunities in rural areas through agroecological activities, such as organic farming, agricultural recycling, and renewable energy production from waste.
• Achieving food and social justice through equitable resource distribution policies and reducing the gap between marginalized groups and central regions.
4. Policies Required to Achieve Transformation
Achieving this integration between the green economy and SDG 2 requires a package of coordinated policies, including:
• Integrating green economy concepts into national agricultural strategies.
• Supporting scientific research and innovation in sustainable agricultural technologies.
• Providing economic incentives and encouraging green financing for sustainable agricultural projects.
• Developing agricultural education and incorporating sustainability concepts into academic curricula.
5. The Role of Academic and Educational Institutions
Universities and colleges, particularly those specializing in agriculture and economics, play a crucial role in this transformation by:
• Producing knowledge and developing innovative solutions appropriate to local contexts.
• Training a new generation of agricultural engineers and economists with an environmental background and multidisciplinary skills.
• Building partnerships with local communities and governments to implement green practices on the ground.
Achieving SDG 2 cannot be achieved in isolation from reshaping the agricultural system within the framework of the green economy. True food security is not achieved solely through providing food, but also through creating fair, sustainable, and resilient food systems. In light of worsening environmental challenges, the shift to green agriculture has become a strategic priority, not a development luxury. Therefore, educational and scientific research institutions bear a major responsibility in leading this shift and guiding policies toward a better food and human future.
Al-Mustaqbal University is the first among private universities.