Transforming Food Systems: The Power of Advanced Modeling

The Food System Economics Commission (FSEC) has taken a groundbreaking approach to addressing the global challenges of food systems. By leveraging advanced modeling techniques, FSEC explores pathways to transform these systems into sustainable, equitable, and health-enhancing frameworks.

The Models Driving Change 

MAgPIE: Mapping Agricultural Impacts
At the heart of FSEC's work is the Model of Agricultural Production and its Impact on the Environment (MAgPIE). This global land-use allocation model, integrated with the LPJmL vegetation model, operates at a fine spatial resolution of 0.5°x0.5°. It generates specific land use patterns, yields, and agricultural production costs for each grid cell.

What sets MAgPIE apart is its ability to link human behaviors—both of consumers and food producers—with Earth's biophysical processes. This comprehensive perspective enables the model to provide insights into the interplay between agriculture, land use, and the environment on a global scale.

TELLUS: Simulating Farm-Level Decisions
Complementing MAgPIE is TELLUS, an Agent-Based Model developed in NetLogo by Toby Pilditch. Unlike traditional models, TELLUS focuses on the micro-level, simulating individual farms as unique agents with their own land, resources, knowledge, and decision-making processes.

These farms operate within dynamic economic and ecological contexts, selecting farming practices that optimize their preferences under evolving physical and informational constraints. TELLUS offers a granular view of how farm-level decisions contribute to larger systemic changes.

Beyond Modeling: Connecting Insights to Action

While modeling provides valuable insights, FSEC recognizes that real-world transformations require actionable policy frameworks. Their approach extends beyond theoretical analysis to include:

Policy Reviews: Assessing the effectiveness of food and agricultural subsidies, taxes, and regulations in driving sustainable practices.

Political Economy Analysis: Understanding the role of power dynamics and stakeholder interests in shaping food system policies.

By combining these insights, FSEC creates a bridge between sophisticated modeling and practical policy recommendations, ensuring that theoretical advancements translate into impactful change.

A Comprehensive Vision for Food System Transformation

FSEC’s models allow for a detailed exploration of potential futures for the global food system. By integrating cutting-edge technology and practical policy analysis, they provide political and economic decision-makers with the tools and evidence needed to transition to food systems that are healthy, inclusive, and sustainable.

Discover More
For a deeper dive into their work, visit the Food System Economics Commission’s website. Let’s transform the way we think about food systems—one insight at a time.