Sustaining Global Food Security

Robert S. Zeigler devoted his professional career to sustainably improving cereal production, primarily rice, in developing countries. Originally trained as a plant pathologist, Bob led increasingly complex multidisciplinary research programs, culminating in his appointment as Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in 2005, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. He has worked closely with policy makers and senior government officials in rice-producing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia to link the potential of new technologies to political and economic realities. He now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.

Preface

List of contributors

An introduction to the global food security, technology and policy nexus



Part 1: Tapping and creating genetic resources

1: Systematic assessment for conservation and utilisation of crop genetic resources

2: Crop species origins, the impact of domestication and the potential of wide hybridisation for crop improvement

3: Technological and policy challenges to utilisation of plant genetic resources

4: Oryza genome diversity: discovery, management and utilisation



Part 2: Redesigning crop plants

5: Reducing mineral and vitamin deficiencies through biofortification: progress under HarvestPlus

6: Delivering biofortified crops in developing countries

7: Fatty acids and pharmamolecules

8: Resistant starch, large bowel fermentation and human health

9: Redesigning crop photosynthesis



Part 3: Modern plant breeding

10: Modern plant breeding: a perspective from the public sector in the United States

11: Improving the regulation and social acceptance of crop-protection and seeds products produced using new technologies: an industry perspective


Colour plates


12: Plant phenome to genome: a big data challenge

13: Incorporating stress tolerance in rice



Part 4: Managing the crop

14: Closing crop yield gaps around the world

15: The soil microbiome and crop nitrogen nutrition in anaerobic systems: a case study in rice

16: Manipulating molecular interactions between hosts and pathogens for enhancing resistance and disease management

17: Sustainable rice pest management: the role of agricultural policies

18: A view of water management: from river basin to farm



Part 5: Sustainable intensive systems

19: Remote sensing for sustainable agricultural management

20: A new public–private interface for staple crops: the Sustainable Rice Platform

21: Linking public goods with private interests: investing in performance at scale with smallholders and the private sector



Part 6: Major agricultural regions in transition

22: Agricultural growth, transformation and policies in China

23: Modern plant and agricultural sciences and public policies in India: creating a sustainable global food supply

24: Unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential

25: Sub-Saharan agriculture in transition: the case of rice



Part 7: Globalisation of food supply

26: The rapid transformation of food supply chains in developing and emerging economies (DEEs) with implications for farmers and consumers

27: Social change and policies driving the transformation of consumption in the food systems

28: Trade as a means to meeting global food needs



Some closing thoughts

Index