Global Food Security in the ۲۱st Century: Navigating Population Growth, Malnutrition, and Sustainability, and the Role of Medicinal Plants

This article aims to investigate the interconnected challenges of population growth, malnutrition, and sustainability in the context of global food security, with a special focus on the role of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) as a complementary solution for achieving nutritional and environmental goals. The ۲۱st century presents unprecedented pressures on food systems, driven by demographic expansion, changing consumption patterns, climate change, and the double burden of malnutrition. As the global population is expected to exceed ۹.۷ billion by ۲۰۵۰, food systems must undergo a systemic transformation to ensure sustainable, equitable, and resilient access to nutritious food. The article explores how integrated strategies can address the four key dimensions of food security, availability, access, utilization, and stability, while also promoting biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and public health. Special emphasis is placed on the nutritional and therapeutic potential of MAPs in supporting communities with limited food diversity or healthcare access. In addition, it discusses the role of technological innovation, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive governance in reshaping future food systems. By bridging scientific advances with traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions, this article argues for a paradigm shift that redefines food security through the lens of human health, and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

کلیدواژه ها:

Food security ، Malnutrition ، Medicinal plants ، Population ، Sustainability