This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals.

Food systems must go through a fundamental transformation if they are to become environmentally sustainable, generate nutritional benefits and improve economic equity.

The 21st Century has been marked by increased volatility in food prices, with global price spikes in 2007-08, 2010-11, and again in 2021-22. The impact of food inflation on the risk of child undernutrition is not well understood, however.

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient for crop growth. However, the overuse of N fertilizers has led to a series of devastating global environmental issues.

Integrated aquaculture–agriculture (IAA) is a form of crop diversification where aquatic and terrestrial foods are grown together on a single parcel of land.

As part of the climate-smart agriculture approach, the adoption of climate resilient crop varieties has the potential to build farmers’ climate resilience but could also induce agricultural transformation in developing nations.

Food prices spiked sharply in 2007–2008, in 2010–2011 and again in 2021–2022.

Aquaculture must grow above the current rate of 11% per year to meet projected demand and reduce dependence on seafood imports. Government support and private investment are urgently needed for sustainable growth.