Prof Denning said there was no quick fix to ensuring everyone enjoyed a healthy diet derived from a sustainable food system.
“Transformation needs to take place all along the food value chain — from production to consumption,” Prof Denning said.
“There is scope for innovation in technology and policy everywhere you look.
“Artificial intelligence and other advanced digital technologies are emerging as game changers almost everywhere in the food system.
“But these advances are not being shared equitably and we need to reach low-income consumers and smallholder farmers, among others who are marginalised.”
Prof Denning said a shared vision was needed from a new generation of transformative leaders.
“We cannot wait for a miracle to occur,” he said.
“We need a new generation of leaders with the know-how and the do-how to inject change into the public, private and NGO sectors.
“We are making progress on many fronts but failing on others.
“India has transformed from a country suffering famine to the world’s largest rice exporter, but we have food crises continuing around the globe caused mainly by climate and conflict.”
Prof Denning is the author of Universal Food Security: How to End Hunger While Protecting the Planet.
He has advised governments and international organisations on agriculture and food policy in more than 50 countries over 40 years, has been honoured by the government of Cambodia and Columbia University and was named the Global Australian of the Year in 2023. In 2024, he was named Queensland University’s alumnus of the year.
The TropAg conference will be held from November 11 to 13 at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane.
TropAg is hosted by The University of Queensland and backed by sponsors including the Australian Council of International Agricultural Research, the Food and Beverage Accelerator and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
