Food Security

Sustainable agricultural growth in developing countries is challenged as never before—by climate change, increasingly volatile food and energy markets, natural resource exploitation, and a growing population aspiring to a better standard of living. The high world food prices of 2008 heightened awareness of the links between research and investments in food production systems and human wellbeing. Determining appropriate agricultural research, investments, decision-support capabilities and policy responses is critical to meeting the nutritional needs of a global population that will reach nine billion 2050, while protecting the environment and reducing poverty. Climate change itself poses significant challenges. Agriculture will have to shift across regions and/or enable growing of new crops. The development of enhanced and innovative agricultural production systems that a) use less resources (water, land, phosphate), b) are adapted to climatic variability (i.e. that are resilient), and c) mitigate climate change with least emissions of greenhouse gases are needed.