Strategic Maintenance: The Missing Piece in Food Systems

It was during the Food Systems e-course (wow!), while exchanging ideas with hundreds of experts from around the world, that I noticed something important: one particular topic was barely mentioned. For some, it seemed completely undervalued; for others, forgotten; and for many, simply pushed aside by the many challenges facing food systems.

That topic was the maintenance of agricultural and fishing infrastructure!

Poor maintenance creates structural, economic, and operational failures that lead to crop losses and declining profitability. Whether along the rich Venezuelan coasts or in the fertile valleys of Ethiopia or Vietnam, the real danger often lies not in a lack of talent, technology, or resources, but in something less visible: the agents of deterioration.

These are the constant and silent sum of environmental, physical, chemical, biological, and human factors that gradually or catastrophically degrade physical assets. Among them, human neglect—or simply the lack of maintenance—can be the most destructive.

At one point, I asked myself: why do we sweep our homes every day? Why are office desks cleaned with disinfectant before the workday begins? The answer seemed simple: to get rid of the dirt and make everything clean. But over time, I realised those daily actions are part of a constant struggle against agents of deterioration.

When we sweep, we remove abrasive particles that slowly wear down surfaces with every step. When we disinfect, we prevent microorganisms from accumulating through humidity, air conditioning, sneezing, or even breathing.

Surprisingly, the same phenomenon affects the Pyramids of Giza, the marble steps of the Colosseum, and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Deterioration never stops acting, and food systems are no exception.

From experience, I have seen how maintenance failures are often linked to limited systems thinking, weak data analysis, and poor problem-solving capacity. This leads to reactive management, where short-term savings are prioritised over long-term stability. The result goes far beyond broken machinery: it accelerates asset decay, reduces efficiency, and dwindles profitability.

This is where strategic maintenance becomes essential.

Strategic maintenance is not just about fixing what is broken. It is a systems-thinking approach that views the production unit and its surroundings as interconnected—from logistics management and energy efficiency to climate vulnerability, soil health, and worker well-being.

It means recognising the value of infrastructure within the food system and managing it proactively. By adopting this broader perspective, strategic maintenance helps protect competitiveness, preserve infrastructure, and extend asset lifespan amidst today's challenges.

The solution is not only technical; it is also educational. Just as institutions like NFP and WSER provide training on food systems and finance, we must strengthen knowledge and capacity around the strategic maintenance of physical infrastructure. This is a fundamental missing piece that can help us move from reactive crisis management toward more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Food security is not just something we build; it is something we preserve. Designing food systems is only the first step; ensuring their endurance through strategic maintenance is the real long-term challenge.