Sustainable Agricultural Productivity to Address Food Systems Challenges

Sustainable productivity growth (SPG) in agriculture is critical to ensure food security, support livelihoods, and improve environmental sustainability. Yet, measuring SPG remains challenging, as traditional metrics such as Total Factor Productivity (TFP) fail to fully capture environmental and social dimensions. This report presents the proceedings of the OECD, European Commission, and USDA 2024 international conference, which gathered over 160 experts to discuss progress in SPG measurement. Innovative approaches such as the Environmentally Sustainable Productivity Index (ESPI) and methods integrating environmental and social indicators into agricultural productivity were highlighted. Discussions emphasized the need to combine economic, environmental, and social data, foster co-creation of indicators with farmers and policymakers, and strengthen innovation systems. The publication provides guidance for policies aimed at achieving more productive and sustainable agriculture.