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Examines the food system and considers the impact of the following societal changes on it: increasing longevity and growing populations; increasing urbanization; globalization of the food market; changes in attitudes and values; decline of the traditional “housekeeping” role. Describes the role of the different actors. Discusses the problems of achieving food policy goals with particular reference to institutions, policy instruments and information.

Four key words are essential in understanding the changing global food system: power, control, risks and benefits. The interplay between state and private actors vying to influence the direction of change, and use whatever tools for control they can, is at the heart of the contention for the future control of food. It is one shaped by history and influenced by a changing geopolitics. This interplay has led to the creation of a range of global rules affecting food, agriculture and biodiversity in which those on ‘intellectual property’ or IP are central. These rules come from a system dominated by the interests of the biggest players. Also important are the changing understandings and nature of food security and the pathways to innovation in agri‐food systems that are most likely to lead to a just, healthy and sustainable future for all. Developments in food and farming are central to this and are the context in which the political economy of cereal seed systems in Africa is grounded.

This article looks beyond the physical sciences to address the problems of hunger, malnutrition, and environmental degradation. It discusses the challenges and problems with global food security and where and why paradigm shifts are needed to meet those challenges in a fair and sustainable way. It discusses food's role as a satisfier of human need, the importance of history in aiding the understanding of contemporary challenges and the fundamental changes needed to achieve the goal of fair and sustainable food systems.