ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON – The World Bank has called for an ambitious annual investment of US$12 billion to transform agriculture and food systems across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP), saying the strategy could create five million new jobs by 2050 while significantly improving regional food security.
The recommendation comes as the region faces intensifying pressure from conflict, climate change, chronic water scarcity, and rising food demand. According to the World Bank’s latest report, Building Food Security, Creating Jobs, around 18 percent of the region’s population experiences food insecurity—the highest level on record—while 42 percent cannot afford a nutritious diet, including millions in middle-income countries.
With food demand expected to increase by 67 percent by 2050, the report argues that governments must move beyond fragmented interventions and adopt long-term policies that combine investment, innovation, and private-sector participation to build more resilient food systems.
The World Bank estimates that investing US$12 billion annually in water-efficient irrigation, agricultural innovation, and modern farming technologies—supported by comprehensive policy reforms—could more than double fruit and vegetable production and increase cereal yields by 72 percent by mid-century, while helping reduce pressure on rapidly depleting groundwater resources.
The report also highlights the importance of strengthening regional trade networks to improve food availability, expand agricultural exports, optimize water use, and lower the fiscal cost of ensuring food security.
Agrifood remains one of the region’s largest sources of employment, supporting approximately 63 million people, or nearly 30 percent of the workforce.
Although traditional farm jobs are declining, employment in food processing, logistics, storage, distribution, and food services is growing at twice the global average, reflecting the rapid modernization of regional food value chains.
The World Bank says higher agricultural productivity, increased production of higher-value crops, and stronger rural incomes could generate millions of better-paying jobs while creating new opportunities throughout the agrifood supply chain.
Surveys conducted for the report also found that large majorities of respondents, particularly young people, view the agrifood sector as an attractive source of stable income and long-term employment.
Beyond expanding production, the report identifies food waste reduction as another major opportunity. Investments in logistics, modern storage, and more efficient supply chains could help feed millions more people while conserving public resources, water, and energy. It also urges governments to promote healthier diets to address widespread malnutrition across the region.
“This report demonstrates that the region can take concrete, near-term action to boost food security, build the foundations for stronger agriculture and food systems, and create millions of new jobs,” said Mesky Bhrane, World Bank Regional Director for the Planet Department on June 26.
The World Bank said it is supporting governments through its AgriConnect initiative, which promotes next-generation irrigation systems, climate-smart agriculture, technological innovation, and stronger market access for farmers.
The report concludes that decisive reforms, sustained investment, and closer regional cooperation could transform one of the world’s most food-import-dependent regions into a more resilient, productive, and investment-ready agrifood economy, strengthening both economic growth and long-term food security. (AT Network)
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