AGR 2050 Chapter Notes -Agroecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Paddy Field
Document Summary
Modern ag. feeds 6 b people, global cereal has doubled in past 40 years. Increased yeilds due to fertilizer, water, pesticides, green revolution technology. Reduced global hunger, improved nutrition global population projected to be 50% larder than present, grain demand doubled. Projected 2. 4 increase in per capita real income, dietary shift towards higher proportion of meat. Challenge: need increase in agricultural output essential for global political and social stability and equity. Need to be done in way that doesn"t compromise environmental integrety, public health. Article focuses on scientific and policy challanges. Sustainability and net benefits agriculturalists chief managers of terrestrial useable lands. Must be fuller accounting of both the costs and benefits of alternative ag practices. Accounting must become the basis of policy, ethics, and action accompanied by advances in sustainable energy use, mantufacturing, transportation and other economic sectors. Ecosystems provide food, fuel, fiber and other materials for selfter provide other benefits hard to price.