Population food and nutrition.

Abstract

This report provides an overview of food supply issues. The authors propose some ways to provide food security within the agricultural sector within government and with agricultural research. Increasing populations and food demands combined with unequal access are constraints to food security. Environmental problems that affect productivity include erosion desertification and salinization. 840 million people including 200 million children do not have enough to eat. The world produces enough to sufficiently feed 6 billion people but poverty natural disasters political violence and geopolitical factors prevent one-seventh of world population from getting enough to eat. Only 15 crops provide 90% of the worlds energy intake. Rice maize and wheat account for 66% of all food energy. Root crops and pulses account for a large proportion. In 1990 1 billion farmers produced about 3800 calories/person/day annually. Total caloric requirements depend upon age and gender basal metabolic rate physical activity and prevalence of pregnancy infections stunting or other health conditions. 40% of food in middle-income countries and 25-30% in high-income countries is lost or wasted. 22 African 5 Asian and 3 Latin American countries have low/declining grain consumption. The former Soviet Union holds the promise for increasing grain production. The gap between actual and potential yields may be brought closer with improved management and land quality. Crop yields are affected by soil plant climatic and socioeconomic factors. There should be more efficient use of existing water resources. Nutrient recycling is a less expensive and more environmentally friendly way of improving soil quality. Agricultural research must be supported. The health of the agricultural sector affects 2.6 million people and 58% of populations in Asia and Africa. Government affects the food supply through price subsidies trade policy food procurement practice exchange rates and investments in agricultural research.