How can we achieve FAO’s original vision of a world free from hunger and malnutrition? The report sheds some light on the nature of the challenges that agriculture and food systems are facing now and throughout the 21st century, and provides some insights as to what is at stake and what needs to be done. What emerges is that “business as usual” is no longer an option but calls for major transformations in agricultural systems, in rural economies and in how we manage our natural resources. The report was undertaken for the quadrennial review of the FAO Strategic Framework and in preparation for the Organization’s Medium-Term Plan 2018-2021.
Due to many challenges (i.e. climate change, energy, water and land shortage, high demands on food, land grabbing, etc.), agriculture production potential is expected to be seriously affected; thus, increasing food insecurity and hunger in many already affected regions (especially in Africa). In this context, sustainable agriculture is highly recommended as an eco-system approach where soil, water, plants, environment and living organisms live in harmony. Innovative technologies and research should be developed to ensure sustainable agriculture and productivity using modern irrigation systems, improved varieties, improved soil quality, etc. In the meantime, the preservation of natural environment should be based on resource conservation technologies and best management practices. Sustainable Agricultural Development, not only raises the serious ethical and social issues underlying these huge environmental problems, but also aims at presenting successful experiences from all over the world in relation with sustainable farming, sustainable management of water and land resources, and innovative processes in livestock production. It also aims at providing inputs to decision making processes and encouraging the transfer of relevant know-how, technologies and expertise to different countries where similar agro-climatic conditions may exist; thus saving precious resources and promoting sustainable agricultural development as a relevant approach to tackle the food security challenge. Finally, this book focuses on the paradigmatic and policy dimensions and call for an innovative approach by analyzing the key themes in a complex and interrelated manner.
Human-kind and ecological systems are currently facing one of the toughest challenges: how to feed more billions of people in the future within the perspective of climate change, energy shortages, economic crises and growing competition for the use of renewable and non renewable resources. This challenge is even more crucial given that we have not yet come close to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty and hunger. Scientists and relevant stakeholders are now voicing a clear message: that multiple challenges the world is facing require innovative, multifaceted, science-based, technological, economic and political approaches in theoretical thinking, decision making and action. With this background central to survival and well-being, the purpose of this volume is to formulate and promote relevant theoretical analysis and policy recommendations. The major perspective of this publication is that paradigm and policy shifts at all levels are needed urgently. This is based on the evidence that agriculture in the 21st century will be undergoing significant demands, arising largely from the need to increase the global food enterprise, while adjusting and contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Global Food Insecurity aims at providing structure to effect achievement of this critically needed roadmap.
The book entitled "Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change" contains ten chapters in which different approaches to combat recent challenges of yield stagnation, nutrient depletion and resource degradation to feed nation burgeoning population. Chapter 1 deals with how to achieve household food, nutritional and livelihood security through agricultural interventions like knowledge management in agriculture, integrated plant nutrient supply system approach, opportunities of organic farming, role of biotechnology in sustainable crop production, bio-fortification of crops. Chapter 2 describes recent trends in rural agriculture development. Chapter 3 focused on various types of production system for achieving sustainable development. Chapter 4 suggests scientific urban wastes management in agriculture to over come challenges of waste disposal in our daily lives Chapter 5 discusses the global climate change and mitigating strategies for sustainable crop production in scientific manner to aware the people in relation to weather and crops. Various efforts to over come the adverse impact of climate change have also been described. Chapter 6 deals and details about impact of rising temperature and restoring climate order for sustainable food security and soil health. The carbon sequestration, biological management of soil fertility and adoption of recommended agricultural practices are also advised. Chapter 7 deals the most advanced and sophisticated technologies like precision farming for natural resource management and sustainable crop production. Chapter 8 highlights various concept and methodology of resource conservation technology for sustainable food security without degrading natural base besides improving soil health. In the chapter 9 different scientific advancement in nutrient management for sustainable agriculture has been compiled to benefits of researchers, students and progressive farmers. In the chapter 10 principals and practices of organic farming has been discussed. Some important information's regarding nutrient content, sources and calculations of fertilizers are given in appendices. Different abbreviations used in the text of different chapters for easy under standing to the readers are also given in manuscript.
Innovation in Small-Farm Agriculture: Improving Livelihoods and Sustainability is an invaluable resource focussing on the current state of knowledge and scientific advances about the complex and intertwined issues of innovation and how they relate to livelihood of small-scale farmers. This book exposes readers with a holistic overview on how agriculture is most associated with the development and transfer of technologies to farmers and their participation in research and development initiatives to improve the relevancy and usefulness of its outputs and innovation which is not well documented. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the most essential topics, including: Recent scientific advances on agricultural innovations for small farmers. Emphasizes on opportunities and constraints of techno-institutional paradigms. Highlight low-cost and eco-friendly interventions. Case studies on various innovations in agriculture spanning the different agricultural gamut.
This paper provides a helpful framing to understand both why and how policy attention and investments should be channeled through agriculture and agrifood systems as key vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It illustrates the ways in which agriculture, particularly within the context of food value chains, is uniquely positioned to holistically address the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development because of its existing reach and future potential. In this paper’s examination of the multiplicity of entry points the sector offers for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, reversing harmful environmental trends, and enhancing the resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable populations, it traces some of the most potent pathways for agricultural policies and interventions to accelerate development outcomes across all country contexts.