Exploring Sustainable Solutions for Increasing Global Food Supplies

This report summarizes the second of two National Research Council workshops, addressing the sustainability challenges associated with food security for all. Workshop participants discussed long term natural resource constraints, specifically water, land and forests, soils, biodiversity and fisheries. They also examined the role of knowledge, technology, modern production practices, and infrastructure in supporting expanded agricultural production and the significant risks to future productivity posed by climate change.


The workshop was held in May 2011. While sustainable food security depends both on the availability of food supplies and assuring access to food, this workshop focused specifically on assuring the availability of adequate food supplies. How can food production be increased to meet the needs of a population expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050? Workshop objectives included identifying the major challenges and opportunities associated with achieving sustainable food security and identifying needed policy, science, and governance interventions.

CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Overview
Contextual Framework for Workshop
2. Achieving Sustainable Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities
Current and Expected Future Food and Nutrition Security
Agricultural Productivity and Natural Resource Endowments
Are New Paradigms Needed for Sustainable Food Security in the Face of Uncertainties and Risks?
General Discussion
Water for A Food-Secure World
Land Degradation and Sustainable Food Production: Sub-Saharan Africa
Global Seafood—Fisheries and Aquaculture
Producing More Food and More Biodiversity: Is There Potential for Both?
Soil Quality Of Tropical Africa: An Essential Element of Improved Agricultural Productivity
General Discussion
Food Security, Farming and Climate Change to 2050 Scenarios: Results and Policy Options
Risks and Vulnerabilities from Climate Change
General Discussion
References
3. Approaches to Achieving Sustainable Food Security
Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification
Food Value Chains Leading to Sustainable Intensification
Ecosystem Management
General Discussion
Reduction of Yield Gaps to Increase Productivity and Sustainability
Energy Efficiency and Food Security for All–The Impact of Fertilizer
General Discussion
Private Investment and Farm Size Issues
Losses and Waste in the Food Supply Chain
General Discussion
Global Governance of Natural Resources: Quantity vs. Quality
Global Public Goods: Food Safety
General Discussion
References
4. Political, Economic, and Institutional Opportunities and Barriers
Political Economy Issues, Priorities and Political Will
Incentives and Limitations to Action by Civil Society
Incentives and Limitations to Action by the Private Sector
Panel: Confront Trade-Offs, Remove National and International Externalities, Seek Multiple Wins, and Establish Coalitions and Partnerships
General Discussion
References
APPENDIXES
A Workshop Agenda
B Workshop Participants
C Biographical Information: Workshop Participants
D Selected Bibliography
E Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability

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