Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
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Group A2: Lagging, high-potential agri-food export leaders
Fifteen members of the OIC, while predominantly net importers, have robust agricultural
endowments spanning arable land, water resources, and dedicated labor, in some case
exceeding the endowments of current members of Group A1. Members of this group have the
potential to establish robust, agriculture-based food systems and serve the growing food
consumption requirements of the broader OIC population. This group, however, remains highly
vulnerable to future food crises.
These countries are predominantly low-income, however, with the annual GDP per capita below
$10,000. As highlighted in previous tables, nine members of the group are classified as low-
income, food-deficit countries.
Among this group aremore developed countries—notablyKazakhstan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt,
Iran, andMali—where populationmalnutrition falls below 8% but there remains a trade deficit
on food products. The countries that are comparativelymore developed in this groupwould join
Group A1 upon accomplishing trade surpluses in food.
Member countries of the lagging group are prime candidates for dedicated agricultural and
related-infrastructureand retail investments, and the development roadmap of these countries
will be informed by the experiences of Turkey, Indonesia, and—to an extent—Guyana.
Group B2: Least developed, food-insecure members
The 26 OIC members in this group are themost vulnerable toexperiencing food crises and have
limited agricultural capacity. Themajority of members in this group has experienced instability
over the last decade, which has made it challenging to establish food security. This group is at
the highest risk of facing future food crises, with urgent action needed to develop strengthened
food systems.
In this group, 20 of the 27 members are classified as low-income, food-deficit countries.
There are promising developments that could see select members of this group establish greater
food security and progress to Group B1 within the next few years. Tunisia, Albania, Kyrgyz
Republic, Uzbekistan, and the Gambia have benefitted from notable economic reforms that will
enable each to focus increasingly on more targeted food security strategies.
However, themost vulnerablemembers of this groupwill, in the short term, continue to require
substantial food aid. In the longer term, theywill require broader capacity building support and
dedicated policy initiatives to establish food security. As these countries evolve, they may seek
to emulate the economic roadmap followed by members of Group B1, with a heavier focus on
food processing and targeted production, and a lighter focus on agriculture sector development.