Will there be enough? Food Demand and Agricultural Capacity

Easter, Robert A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/11803 Copy

Description

Title

Will there be enough? Food Demand and Agricultural Capacity

Author(s)

Easter, Robert A.

Issue Date

2009-03

Keyword(s)

• Food resources
• supply and demand

Abstract

Almost 200 years ago Malthus argued that population growth would inevitably exceed the capacity of agriculture to provide food. In the intervening years the world has periodically approached the brink of inadequate food supplies perhaps most dramatically in the decade preceding the Green Revolution of the 1960’s. The dramatic increase in price of staple food commodities such as wheat, maize and oilseeds during the past year has once again prompted that question. Agricultural scientists have confidence that the need for food can be met but many factors will ultimately determine whether that goal will be achieved. Governments around the world must give greater priority to research and education agricultural disciplines. In many cases urbanization has imposed requirements for complex supply chains capable of moving food from rural regions of production to areas of need and this must be addressed. Policies concerning land use, acceptance of technology and trade can either impede or enhance food availability. In any of these arenas there is opportunity for well-prepared individuals to make significant contributions.

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/11803

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Title VI National Resource Center Grant (P015A060066)

Owning Collections