Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
In a groundbreaking analysis, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled the staggering hidden costs of current agrifood systems, reaching an alarming $10 trillion annually, nearly 10% of the world’s GDP.
This revelation comes from a comprehensive study covering 154 countries, shedding light on the multifaceted impact of hidden costs on health, the environment, and society. At a briefing for media organized by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization head office Ms Florene Rolle FAO Representative for Pakistan shared the salient features of
the 2023 edition of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) that says that over 70pc of these hidden costs stem from unhealthy diets prevalent in high- and upper-middle-income countries, contributing to obesity, non-communicable diseases, and substantial labor productivity losses. A significant portion, 1/5th of the total costs, is environment-related, attributed to factors like greenhouse gases and nitrogen emissions, land-use change, and water use, posing a global challenge with underestimated scales due to data limitations, she said.
Dr. Aamer Irshad, Assistant FAO Rep (Program) was also there to answer media queries.
According to the report, low-income countries bear a disproportionate burden, with hidden costs exceeding a quarter of their GDP, highlighting the severe impact on poverty and undernourishment.
The report advocates for true cost accounting (TCA), recommending to countries urging governments and the private sector toto conduct regular and detailed analyses, followed by strategic actions to mitigate these hidden harms.
