Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
are real sustainable gains to be made by combin-
ing biotechnological, agronomic, and agroeco-
logical approaches. Because of the signifi cant
time lags in reaping the benefi ts of research,
investment in new knowledge needs to be made
now to solve problems in the coming decades.
Investment needs to occur not only in the impor-
tant fi eld of biotechnological research but across
all the areas of the natural and social sciences
involved in the food system.
• Precision in climate change prediction with
higher resolution on spatial and temporal
scales.
• Linking of predictions with agricultural
production systems to suggest suitable options
for sustaining agricultural production.
• Preparation of a database on climate change
impacts on agriculture.
• Evaluation of the impacts of climate change in
selected locations.
• Development of models for pest population
dynamics.
between governments, multilateral bodies, and the
private sector.
14.2.1.4 Work on the Assumption
that There Is Little New Land
for Agriculture
Relatively little new land on a global scale has
been brought into food production in the last
40 years. Although modest amounts may in
future be converted to agriculture, it is concluded
that major expansion is unwise. In particular, it is
now understood that one of the major ways that
food production contributes to greenhouse gas
emissions is through land conversion, particularly
of forests. Only in exceptional circumstances can
conversion of forests (especially tropical rainfor-
ests), natural grasslands, and wetlands to agricul-
tural land be justifi ed. It is also recognized that
while some biodiversity can be maintained on
land used for food production, a very signifi cant
fraction, especially in the tropics, requires
relatively undisturbed non-agricultural habitats.
In contrast to land conversion, the restoration of
degraded agricultural land can be an important
means of increasing the food supply and a good
use of international development monies.
14.2.1.3 Make Sustainable Food
Production Central
in Development
The “Cinderella status” of primary food produc-
tion in international development fi nancing has for
too long ignored the crucial role that it plays in
rural and urban livelihoods. There is evidence
from a series of recent initiatives that this neglect
is now changing. Such investment is not only
about food production but also the web of people,
communities, and physical infrastructure that sur-
rounds it. Investment in the sector offers a pro-
poor model of economic growth with much wider
positive impacts on low- and middle-income econ-
omies and a means of producing a broader range
of public goods. Development trajectories should
be chosen to help food producers in low-income
countries adapt to the effects of climate change to
which they are likely to be disproportionately
exposed. Development of sustainable production
systems that avoid the mistakes made by countries
which moved out of the low-income class in earlier
times is required. Investment in infrastructure and
capacity building is needed at a scale which will be
realized only by innovative new partnerships
14.2.1.5 Promote Sustainable
Intensifi cation
It follows that if there is relatively little new land
for agriculture, more food needs to be produced
and achieving sustainability is critical; then sus-
tainable intensifi cation is a priority. Sustainable
intensifi cation means simultaneously raising
yields, increasing the effi ciency with which
inputs are used, and reducing the negative envi-
ronmental effects on food production. It requires
economic and social changes to recognize the
multiple outputs required of land managers,
farmers, and other food producers and a redirec-
tion of research to address a more complex set of
goals than just increasing yield.
14.2.1.6 Include the Environment
in Food System Economics
The food system relies on a variety of services that
are provided without cost by the environment -
what are now called ecosystem services. The food
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