A new perspective to promote the change of the food system is responsible plant nutrition

Author(s): Daniel Milton*

For the transition to a global food system where mineral nutrients in agriculture must be controlled in a more holistic way, the next 10 to 20 years will be of utmost importance. Because they are one of the main forces behind maintaining global food security and enhancing human nutrition through greater crop yields and nutritional quality, fertilisers play a special role in this. Using food systems and the circular economy, a new paradigm for responsible plant nutrition pursues a number of social, environmental, and health goals. To do that, highefficiency use of all available organic and inorganic nutrient sources that is suited to the unique characteristics of food systems and agroecosystems in various world locations is required. Important steps include (i) climate-smart fertilisers, (ii) digital crop nutrition solutions, (iii) nutrient-rich crops, (iv) nutrient recovery and recycling, and (v) nutrient recovery and recycling. This transformation will lead to a new societal plant nutrition optimum rather than just an economic one. New partnerships and business models that prioritise sustainability will benefit all players in the food supply chain, including farmers and consumers. In order to provide reliable answers more quickly and on a bigger scale, research needs to become more problem-driven and combine outstanding science with entrepreneurial innovation approaches. The creation and support of the appropriate nutrient stewardship roadmaps, which should include reasonable national targets, progressive legislation, and incentives for technological and commercial innovation, should be the main emphasis of evidence-based policies

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