Summary
This horizon-scanning study, conducted as part of the UK Government's Foresight Global Food and Farming Futures project, identifies 100 priority research questions for global agriculture through structured engagement with leading international experts. The work aims to improve evidence flow between agricultural research, policy and practice, and to guide future research priorities and policy support in the context of feeding a projected global population of nine billion whilst meeting climate, energy security and poverty reduction goals. The authors argue that agriculture must now optimise across multiple outcomes—production, rural development, environmental protection, social justice and food consumption—rather than focus solely on productivity maximisation.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted as part of a UK Government Foresight project and reflects global agricultural priorities identified by an international panel of experts. The questions and framework are intended to inform policy and research direction globally, including within the United Kingdom, though the specific applicability to UK farming systems and policy contexts would depend on which of the 100 questions are most relevant to domestic priorities.
Key measures
Prioritised list of research questions compiled from leading agricultural experts and representatives of major agricultural organisations worldwide
Outcomes reported
Identification of the 100 most important research questions for global agriculture, compiled through expert horizon-scanning to bridge gaps between agricultural science, policy and practice. The questions span production, rural development, environmental sustainability, social justice and food consumption outcomes.
Funding & declared interests
Funding: UK Government Foresight Programme
Extracted verbatim from the paper’s funding, acknowledgements and conflict-of-interest sections — shown as neutral provenance, not a judgement on the research.
Topic tags
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