What is the SDG food security and nutrition: A Comprehensive Guide

December 16, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2022, approximately 735 million people faced chronic hunger globally, a number that has seen a concerning rise since 2019. Understanding what is the SDG food security and nutrition is crucial for comprehending the global effort to combat this crisis and work towards a more equitable world for all.

Quick Summary

This article explains the core concepts of SDG food security and nutrition, detailing the targets for achieving zero hunger, ending all forms of malnutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030, alongside the major challenges and required systemic transformations.

Key Points

End Hunger Goal: The SDG on food security and nutrition is Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), aiming to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food for all people by 2030.
Beyond Calories: The SDG approach defines food security as access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food, addressing all forms of malnutrition, including obesity.
Holistic Approach: Achieving SDG 2 is intertwined with progress on other SDGs, such as poverty eradication (SDG 1), good health (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13).
Systemic Change Needed: Transforming unsustainable agrifood systems is critical, requiring a shift towards resilient agricultural practices and reduced food loss and waste.
Vulnerable First: The targets specifically prioritize the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and small-scale food producers, by seeking to double their productivity and incomes.
Major Obstacles: Significant challenges like climate change, conflict, economic volatility, and inequality continue to impede progress towards zero hunger.

The Core of SDG 2: Zero Hunger

At the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lies SDG 2, aiming to "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture". This goal recognizes hunger as a complex issue linked to poverty, health, and environmental sustainability. It provides a framework for global action, urging integrated transformations to food systems. Food security under the SDGs is defined as consistent physical, social, and economic access for all people to sufficient, safe, nutritious food meeting dietary needs for an active, healthy life. Nutrition is key, influencing health, education, and economic empowerment.

The Ambitious Targets of SDG 2

SDG 2 sets specific targets for 2030 to achieve zero hunger:

Target 2.1: End Hunger and Ensure Food Access. Ensure all people have year-round access to safe, nutritious food.
Target 2.2: End All Forms of Malnutrition. Address stunting, wasting, and other forms of malnutrition across all age groups.
Target 2.3: Double Productivity and Incomes of Small-Scale Food Producers. Improve access to resources and markets for marginalized producers.
Target 2.4: Ensure Sustainable Food Production. Implement resilient agricultural practices that protect ecosystems.
Target 2.5: Maintain Genetic Diversity. Preserve the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
Target 2.a: Increase Investment in Agriculture. Enhance support for agriculture in developing countries.
Target 2.b: Prevent Trade Restrictions. Address agricultural trade restrictions and market distortions.
Target 2.c: Ensure Stable Food Commodity Markets. Promote functioning food markets and access to market information.

Interconnections with Other SDGs

SDG 2 is deeply connected to other SDGs. For instance, it links with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Challenges to Achieving Food Security

Progress on SDG 2 faces several significant challenges:

Climate Change: Extreme weather and environmental changes threaten food production.
Conflict and Instability: These disrupt food systems and displace populations.
Economic Inequality: Economic volatility and inequality limit access to food.
Unsustainable Food Systems: Inefficient systems lead to food loss, waste, and environmental harm.

Comparison of Traditional vs. Sustainable Agriculture


Feature	Traditional (Intensive) Agriculture	Sustainable Agriculture
Resource Use	High reliance on synthetic inputs and non-renewable resources.	Efficient, responsible use of resources like water and soil.
Environmental Impact	Often leads to soil degradation and pollution.	Reduces environmental footprint through practices like agroecology.
Productivity	Focuses on maximizing short-term yields, vulnerable to shocks.	Aims for long-term resilience and stable yields.
Economic Aspect	Dependent on external inputs and fluctuating markets.	Promotes economic viability for local communities.
Social Aspect	Can lead to unequal distribution of benefits.	Focuses on justice, equity, and empowering marginalized groups.

Transforming Food Systems for a Sustainable Future

Achieving SDG 2 requires transforming how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. This means moving towards resilient agrifood systems that can withstand shocks and provide healthy diets. Investing in rural infrastructure and empowering small-scale producers are crucial steps. Reducing food loss and waste and promoting diverse, nutritious diets are also essential.

For more information on the official targets and progress towards SDG 2, you can refer to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals website.

Conclusion

The SDG for food security and nutrition (Goal 2) is a comprehensive agenda for a sustainable future. It aims to end all forms of malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and tackle root causes like poverty and climate change. Despite significant challenges, transforming food systems and investing in sustainable practices are vital for progress. Achieving SDG 2 will also advance other global goals, contributing to a world where no one is left behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hunger is an individual-level condition referring to the physical sensation of needing to eat. Food security is a household or societal condition, meaning consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. The SDGs address both, focusing on eradicating hunger and achieving widespread food security.

The UN's Committee on World Food Security defines food security based on four key pillars: availability (sufficient quantity of food), access (people's ability to obtain food), utilization (the body's ability to use the nutrients), and stability (the availability and access to food over time).

Malnutrition is a core focus of SDG 2 and includes undernutrition (stunting, wasting), micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity. The goal is to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

Sustainable agriculture is vital because it ensures long-term food production without compromising the environmental resources or economic viability for future generations. It promotes resilient practices that adapt to climate change and protect ecosystems.

Key barriers include climate change impacts, ongoing conflicts and instability, global economic uncertainty and inequality, and the inefficiencies of current food systems that lead to waste and environmental damage.

Small-scale food producers are critical, especially in developing countries, as they produce a large portion of the world's food. A key target of SDG 2 is to double their productivity and income by increasing their access to resources and markets.

Individuals can contribute by making sustainable food choices, reducing food waste at home, supporting local and small-scale farmers, and staying informed about progress and challenges related to SDG 2.