Global Challenges For Future Food And Agricultural Policies

The growth in global population and income, climate change, and pressure on natural resources are all challenges facing the food and agricultural system. This book examines these challenges and their implications for policymaking at the national and international level, and offers insights into options for effective policymaking.

Format: Hardback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2019
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd

The food and agricultural system faces significant challenges in the present and future, with implications for policymaking at both national and international levels. The growing global population and income are projected to lead to an increased demand for food and agricultural raw materials, heightening concerns about food security and putting pressure on the planet's natural resources. Additionally, climate change, a complex and urgent issue on its own, is expected to exacerbate the urgency for reforms in the food and agricultural sector. As a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the sector must play a crucial role in efforts to mitigate global warming and adapt to its effects, while ensuring global food security and resource sustainability.

These pressures have created a new set of priorities for policymaking, requiring changes in the framework of global institutions to effectively govern the food system.

Global Challenges for Future Food and Agricultural Policies provides a comprehensive analysis of the interrelated policy challenges of food security, natural resource management, climate change, and international governance. The book offers valuable insights into options for effective policymaking with the aim of driving positive changes in the food and agricultural sector.

One of the key challenges facing the food and agricultural system is food security. The world's population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and the demand for food is projected to increase by 70% in the coming decades. This growth will put significant pressure on agricultural production, leading to concerns about food availability, affordability, and nutritional quality.

To address food security, policymakers need to prioritize sustainable agricultural practices that increase productivity, reduce environmental impact, and promote equitable access to food. This includes investing in research and development to improve crop yields, promote crop diversity, and develop new technologies that enhance food storage and transportation. Additionally, policies that support small-scale farmers, promote agricultural diversification, and reduce food waste are crucial in ensuring food security for all.

Another challenge is the management of natural resources, which is essential for agricultural production. The growing demand for food and agricultural raw materials has led to unsustainable practices, such as deforestation, overfishing, and soil degradation. Policymakers need to implement policies that promote sustainable resource management, including the conservation of forests, the protection of water resources, and the promotion of sustainable land use practices.

Climate change is another significant challenge that affects the food and agricultural system. Climate change is causing changes in weather patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and affecting crop yields and livestock production. Policymakers need to develop and implement policies that address climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and adapting to the effects of climate change.

International governance is also crucial in addressing the challenges facing the food and agricultural system. The global food system is complex and interconnected, and policies implemented in one country can have significant impacts on other countries. Policymakers need to work together to develop and implement international policies that promote food security, sustainable resource management, and climate change mitigation. This includes international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements that govern trade in agricultural products.

In conclusion, the food and agricultural system faces significant challenges in the present and future, with implications for policymaking at both national and international levels. The growth in global population and income, climate change, and the need for sustainable resource management are all driving the need for reforms in the food and agricultural sector. Policymakers need to prioritize food security, sustainable resource management, and climate change mitigation to ensure a sustainable and resilient food system for the future.

Weight: 928g
Dimension: 178 x 252 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789813235397