Discussion: training manuals on food security

Contribution by P.K.Thampan from India

Dear Members,

The discussion on food availability and projected demand trends for 2050 has to consider the dietary preferences of the people in different countries, appropriate farming systems and opportunities for augmenting the purchasing power of the people. In the developing countries people depend mainly on plant produce such as cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables and fruits for food. Cereals satisfy bulk of the food needs of these people though dietary preference shows variation from country to country. But in the developed countries where the preference is for foods of animal origin, large amounts of food grains are fed to cattle to produce beef. For producing one kg of beef, the food grains needed as feed is 8-9 kg. But 8 kg of food grains supply 14 times as many calories and over 3 times as much protein as one kg of beef supplies. The dietary habits of the people of the developed countries thus cause considerable wastage of food grains.
In many countries tree crops support the health and nutrition security of millions of local people. The fruits, nuts, berries, edible leaves etc. obtained from trees are rich in carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. They supplement the main or staple food and also satisfy the entire food needs of rural people at times of shortage of the usual food. While coconut serves both as a food and drink in many countries, jack, breadfruit etc. form the major source of carbohydrates in some countries. In Kerala State the average contribution of coconut to the daily per capita calorie intake is 367 kcal. As trees are less susceptible to climatic vicissitudes they are more reliable and consistent in food production than the cereals or other seasonal food crops. Diverse varieties of fruits are available in the tropical and temperate regions as well as in the humid and semi-arid areas. Some of the very common fruits which are valued for taste and nutritional quality are dates, mango, apple, sapota, guava, papaya, durian, litchi, mangosteen, rambutan, pumello, cashew etc. A diet consisting of fruits and nuts can provide the required level of bulk and nutrients for a healthy life.
Now-a-days biotechnology has been highlighted as the key to high and consistent levels of food production. While biotechnology has potential in diverse applications what is in store for the future is less understood. Through genetic engineering it is possible to introduce additional genetic diversity. But this diversity is to lead to on-farm uniformity when the new plant types start replacing the diverse varieties presently available. Indiscriminate application of the technology will alter the genetic make-up of many living things, eventually disrupting the process of life in nature. How the new organisms will behave in nature and to what extent they will be compatible with the naturally occurring life forms are matters of concern for all.
The strategy for food production has to be broad based to cover diverse sources of food. There must be a special drive in all the developing countries to popularize area specific agro-techniques devoted to resource conservation and production of foods appropriate to local conditions and needs. Water conservation strategies and priority for the production of coarse grains are more relevant in dry farming belts than in other areas. In many countries roots and tubers such as cassava, yam etc. are more important staple foods than cereals. By giving importance to the production of these foods in potential areas, locally available resources could be effectively harnessed without allowing them to be dissipated over inappropriate programmes.
In most of the developing countries not only the productivity of cereals is low but the overall growth rate in agriculture also does not keep pace with the growth rate in population. On the other hand, the output of cereals in the developed countries far exceeds the local needs leaving sizeable surplus for export trade. As all developing countries lie in or near the tropical region, the edaphic and climatic features may not favour as high a productivity in cereals as in the temperate region where the developed countries lie. The investment in agriculture is also comparatively poor in the developing countries where unemployment and underemployment among the agricultural population are rampant. At the present growth rate the global population may reach 8.5-8.7 billion by 2050 with most of the growth taking place in the developing world. These are the major problems to be tackled for ensuring the food and nutrition security of the poor people of the developing world without disrupting the ecological base of farming.
Even with a higher availability of cereals and other foods, the poor people especially among the agricultural population may not be benefited in the absence of adequate income sources at local levels. Diversity in farming, on-farm and off-farm income generating opportunities and supporting infrastructure are essential requirements for strengthening the livelihood security of the poor people. To address this situation food production sector has to be diversified with the objective of enhancing biological productivity from each operational unit by adopting ecologically sustainable farming systems and practices. Biological productivity relates to foods of plant and non-plant origin. In the holdings of small farmers who predominate the active agricultural population of the developing countries an integrated farming system has to be promoted to generate multiple sources of food, income and employment for the dependent families. Arable crops, fruit trees, cattle and other livestock components could be compatible components of the system. Along with this approach, employment oriented rural development projects have to receive emphasis to strengthen rural economy and purchasing power of the people.
Regards,

P.K.Thampan

Peekay Tree Crops Development Foundation

Kochi

Contribution by K V Peter from India

Carrying capacity of the world in 2050 to sustain the expected 9 billion people, their pets, animals, birds, wild fauna, raw materials for industry, energy requirement etc is to be worked out with logic and actuality. Demographic changes, new life styles, impact of emerging technologies, hegemony of developed countries, cultural revolutions etc are to be viewed in estimating carrying capacity.

There is a limit to productivity of current food crops and also availability of inputs like water, manures, land and labour. By 2050 hardily 5 percent of people will go for farming. Transgenic and nano-products would be common. The whole world will be like the present Tokyo for space to live. Water will be available in Nano form. Marine and aquatic resources will be exploited more. Lunar space and aeroponics will provide land for farming. Air for breathing will be costly as bottled water now.

Twenty years back I cannot imagine that water for drinking is bottled and sold. Emission of carbon dioxide will be managed.

Countries like India and China will become the largest producers and consumers. India will be a developed country by 2050. Africa will be a major producer continent. Sea water will become source for drinking and irrigation. There will also be changes in family structure. Gay rights and co-habitation will become universal. 2050 will witness a new world full of challenges and opportunities. At no point of time the world was deprived of food except during Noah’s period. Then also Noah’s ship was loaded with food for decades.
K V Peter