The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has warned that rising energy prices, ongoing conflicts, and soaring fertilizer costs could reverse years of progress in the global fight against hunger. The organization cautioned that millions of additional people, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries, could face severe food insecurity if these challenges continue to intensify.
According to IFAD, the combination of geopolitical conflicts and volatile energy markets is placing unprecedented pressure on global food systems. Higher fuel prices are increasing the cost of agricultural production, transportation, irrigation, and food distribution, making it more expensive for farmers to produce crops and for consumers to access affordable food.
The agency highlighted that fertilizer prices remain significantly higher than historical averages, despite some recent easing in global commodity markets. Fertilizers are a critical input for crop production, and elevated prices have forced many smallholder farmers to reduce fertilizer application or abandon its use altogether. This could result in lower crop yields, reduced farm incomes, and declining food supplies, particularly in developing nations where access to agricultural inputs is already limited.
IFAD emphasized that Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to these economic shocks. Many countries across the continent depend heavily on imported fertilizers, fuel, and staple food commodities. Rising import costs, combined with currency depreciation and climate-related challenges such as droughts and floods, are placing millions of households at greater risk of hunger and malnutrition.
The organization also pointed to ongoing armed conflicts in several parts of the world, which continue to disrupt agricultural production, damage rural infrastructure, and interrupt global trade flows. These disruptions have affected the availability and affordability of essential food commodities, contributing to higher prices in both domestic and international markets.
Smallholder farmers, who produce nearly one-third of the world’s food, are facing some of the greatest challenges. Limited access to affordable credit, quality seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming technologies has reduced their ability to cope with rising production costs. IFAD warned that without targeted financial support and investment, many rural communities could fall deeper into poverty and food insecurity.
The agency called on governments, international financial institutions, and development partners to strengthen investments in sustainable agriculture, rural infrastructure, climate-resilient farming systems, and social protection programmes. Expanding access to affordable financing, improving fertilizer availability, and supporting local food production were identified as key measures to protect vulnerable populations from future food crises.
Experts also stressed the importance of building more resilient food systems capable of withstanding economic shocks, climate change, and geopolitical disruptions. Investing in renewable energy for agriculture, promoting efficient fertilizer use, and improving supply chain infrastructure can help reduce production costs while enhancing long-term food security.
Despite the challenges, IFAD believes that coordinated international action can help prevent a worsening global hunger crisis. The organization urged policymakers to prioritize investments in agriculture and rural development, noting that strengthening food systems is essential not only for reducing hunger but also for promoting economic growth, employment, and sustainable development.
As global food markets continue to face uncertainty, IFAD’s warning serves as a reminder that rising energy costs, fertilizer shortages, and geopolitical instability remain significant threats to global food security. Without timely intervention, the agency cautions, recent gains in reducing hunger and poverty could be reversed, leaving millions more people at risk of food insecurity in the years ahead.
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