Chapter 13 - The Way Ahead

Abstract

Agriculture provides human food and well-being and on other way, it is the largest single cause of global warming and loss of ecosystem. We have to increase the food production double to feed the growing population on this planet without exhausting the global resources and keeping the planet cool and habitable. This can be achieved successfully by sustainable food production with five key approaches viz. stop farmland expansion, close yield gap, strategic use of inputs, shift diets, and reduce food waste. Allied agricultural resources like animal husbandry, fishery, forestry, and apiculture should be explored to achieve global food security. Eliminating waste in the path food takes from farm to mouth could boost food available for consumption. Global production of sufficient food does not ensure balanced food for all. Other complex social issues such as access to technology and distribution of food and purchasing power of the poor are needed to be addressed.