Iran conflict risks disrupting ammonia supply, a key input for global food security
Original framing: “How the Iran war could create a ‘fertiliser shock’ – an often ignored global risk to food prices and farming” — The Conversation - Global
Smallholder farmers, particularly in the Global South, are disproportionately affected by fertilizer price volatility and geopolitical conflicts. Their voices are often excluded from policy discussions despite their critical role in food production.
The potential disruption of ammonia production due to the Iran conflict reveals the fragility of a global food system built on industrial agriculture and fossil-fuel-based inputs.
This crisis is not just a supply chain issue but a symptom of deeper structural problems: the marginalization of Indigenous and smallholder farming knowledge, the dominance of agrochemical corporations, and the lack of political will to transition toward agroecological systems. Historical precedents, such as the Green Revolution, show how industrial agriculture has displaced traditional practices, often with negative consequences for food security and the environment. Cross-culturally, many societies have maintained fertile soils through organic methods, yet these are rarely considered in mainstream food policy. A systemic solution requires not only diversifying fertilizer supply chains but also reforming global food governance to center the voices of those most affected—smallholder farmers and Indigenous communities. By integrating scientific innovation with traditional knowledge and prioritizing food sovereignty, we can build a more resilient and just food system.