• The Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, Raúl Compés, addresses in this article the challenges associated with food geopolitics and the role of CIHEAM

Geopolitics, technology and food cooperation. Article by Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza.

Geopolitics, the study of the effects of geography on politics and international relations, currently plays an important role in the world agrifood system.

For centuries, agriculture and food have been wielded as instruments of power. Feeding the population has always been a key element in asserting sovereignty, and relations with other countries also have an influence on food policies.

If a nation has enough resources to produce staple foods at an affordable cost, international trade may take second priority and the country may strive to be self-sufficient. If, however, neighbouring countries have natural assets or other advantages in crop and livestock farming, then trade may be advantageous to them to guarantee their food supply.

In modern societies, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, when the division of labour was clearly established between agriculture and industry, and towns and cities, the main role of agriculture has been to produce food. For many years, technology and geopolitics have posed the greatest challenges, which are now further compounded by environmental and social factors.

Increasing crop area and yield are the two main strategies for agricultural growth. With the best lands already under cultivation, the potential for increasing production can only come from improving productivity. Achieving higher yields requires intensifying agricultural practices by incorporating inputs and technological innovations, prioritizing solutions with minimal adverse effects on the environment.

Producing enough food to sustain the global population is a formidable challenge, especially since the times of Malthus (1798). To date, his theories have been proven incorrect, as enough food is produced to meet the needs of the world’s population . Today, despite the remarkable progress made in agrifood technology over the past two centuries, the causes of food insecurity can be attributed to political issues and their economic impact. Flawed democracy on the domestic level and strained relations between nations on the international level, may both contribute to the persistence of this global challenge. However, history has demonstrated that past events do not dictate future outcomes, and the field of epistemology highlights the limitations of induction as a scientific method.

While this scheme has not substantially changed, it is worth noting that the potential for improvement is diminishing due to limited available land. Moreover, external production costs have increased, and the interdependence between countries fluctuates between conflict and harmony.

International relations are asymmetrical and ever-changing, and are often shaped by dominant hegemonies in different eras. Throughout history, various empires have emerged across the world, all of which have relied on expansive territories to ensure a stable and efficient food supply, as occurred in the Roman and British Empires.

In addition to the empires, international trade is the best way to ensure a consistent food supply. However, this type of exchange is influenced by trade policies and other types of public interventions that can also affect trade. In crop and livestock production, several models have been used ranging from free trade to quasi-autarky, including the implementation of diverse regulatory measures. Mercantilist or import substitution policies have demonstrated limited effectiveness in this sector. However, it is important to consider the long-term consequences of such policies, as protectionism can be a tempting strategy to ensure self-sufficiency, particularly in staple foods.

International trade can be successful if countries do not impose arbitrary restrictions, do not use food as a political weapon, and do not create distortions in foreign markets through domestic policies. It is essential to have a robust multilateral system with predictable rules that nations adhere to, alongside a relatively stable world order.

Unfortunately, despite the existence of the World Trade Organization and numerous trade agreements, these conditions are far from being met. Consequently, the role of geopolitics and the associated risks in international relations acquire critical significance.

Under these circumstances, if the situation remains unchanged, all food security strategies will inevitably have to be reassessed in order to mitigate the risks associated with dependence on other countries. In this scenario, international cooperation emerges as an immensely powerful tool. It is crucial to provide urgent assistance to countries experiencing severe food insecurity and on the brink of crisis. This assistance should not only focus on short-term relief but also involve structural support, enhancing countries’ capacities to overcome long-term challenges. Since 1962 CIHEAM has been actively engaged in this endeavour with Mediterranean countries in southern Europe, and since the 1980s with countries in northern Africa and the Middle East. CIHEAM remains committed to continuing its efforts in the years to come, striving to be a relevant player both in terms of human capital and knowledge transfer and in Mediterranean diplomacy concerning agriculture and food-related matters.