Global Food Insecurity (eBook)

Preface 8
Acknowledgements 10
Contents 12
List of Figures 16
List of Tables 18
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 22
Part I Agriculture and Rural Development at the Heart of Sustainability and Food Security 26
Chapter 1: A New Conceptual Framework for Assessing Rural Development Performance: Sustainability of Scale, Scope and Integration 27
1 Introduction 28
2 A New Conceptual Framework 28
3 Scale, Scope, Integration: Tripartition of Strategies 29
3.1 Scale and Scope 29
3.2 Integration 29
4 Economy, Ecology, Sociology: Tripartition of Criteria 29
4.1 Economy 29
4.2 Ecology 30
4.3 Sociology 30
5 How It Works 30
5.1 Theoretical 30
5.2 Practical 32
6 Concluding Remarks 32
References 32
Chapter 2: A Knowledge Approach to Sustainable Agriculture 34
1 Introduction 34
2 Knowledge Approach 36
3 Exploratory Study 38
4 Results 39
5 Conclusions 41
References 42
Chapter 3: Sustainable Agriculture Ensures Sustainable Rural Development: A Reality or a Myth 44
1 Introduction 45
2 Overview of Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector 45
3 Constraints Associated with Pakistan Agriculture 46
Box 3.1 Constraints and Threats Associated with the Agricultural Sector and Rural Development in Pakistan 47
3.1 Water Shortage 48
3.2 Smaller Land Holdings and Neglect of Small Farmers 48
3.3 Gaps in Productivity 49
3.4 Women Farmers Working in Agriculture and Their Status 49
4 Pakistani Rural Development 50
4.1 Women and Their Role in Rural Development 51
4.2 Poor Infrastructure and Lower Quality of Social Services 51
5 Suggested Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development 52
6 Conclusions and Recommendations 54
References 54
Chapter 4: Policies for Sustainable Agricultural Production and Consumption 56
1 Introduction 56
2 Resource Use 59
3 Impacts on the Earth 61
4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGS) 62
5 Pollution of the Environment 63
6 Ethics, Religion and Science 64
7 Animal Welfare 66
8 Compassion, Health and a Better Environment – a Positive Way Forward for Farming 69
9 Conclusions 70
References 72
Chapter 5: Cultivating Faith: The Relationship Between Islam and Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Communities of American Muslims 75
References 83
Chapter 6: Agricultural Development for Food Security and Sustainability in Nigeria 85
1 The Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector 86
2 The Nigerian Rural Economy, Poverty and Environmental Degradation 87
2.1 Food Security 88
2.2 Technology and Technological Change 89
2.3 Sustainable Agricultural Development 89
3 Conclusion 92
References 93
Chapter 7: African Agriculture at Crossroads: Balancing the Needs of Increased Productivity and the Challenges of Sustainability. The Case of Fadama Agriculture in Semi-Arid North-Central Nigeria 94
1 Introduction 95
2 Typology and Importance of Fadama Areas and Agriculture 96
2.1 Fadama Agriculture in Karshi and Baddeggi 97
2.2 Indigenous Resource Management in Fadama Areas of Karshi and Baddeggi 98
3 Mechanization and Agrochemicals Use in Fadama Areas of Karshi and Baddeggi 100
3.1 Developing a Conceptual Basis for Agricultural Hybridization 102
4 Conclusion: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability 106
References 106
Part II Governance for Food Security: Key Challenges and Relevant Debates 111
Chapter 8: Food Crisis Mitigation: The Need for an Enhanced Global Food Governance 112
1 Introduction 113
2 Research Background and Scope 113
3 Factors Behind Food Crisis 117
3.1 Climate Change: Critical Implications for Food Security 117
3.2 Energy Shortages and Prices 119
3.3 Inadequacy of Agricultural and Food Practices and Policies 121
3.3.1 Global Food and Agriculture System and Food Crisis 121
3.3.2 Loss of Crop Varieties and Genetic Contamination 122
3.3.3 Fish Stocks and Marine Biodiversity Decline 123
3.3.4 Farmer Shortages 124
3.4 National and International Policies on Trade, Economics and Agriculture 125
3.5 Food for Aid Programs 126
3.6 Population Growth and the Shift in Global Food Production and Consumption 130
4 Global Food Governance Regime: Actors, Powers and Dynamics 134
4.1 Conflicting Actors and Interests 134
4.1.1 Role and Power of Powerful States 135
4.1.2 Role and Powerful Corporate Influence 136
4.2 Potential of Global Food Regime to Enhance Food Security 139
5 Concluding Remarks 142
References 143
Chapter 9: 18,000 Children Die of Starvation Everyday: Cannot We Save Them? 145
1 Introduction 145
2 Methodology 146
3 Hungry People 147
4 Why People Are Hungry? 148
5 Cannot We Save the Hungry People? 149
6 How Can We Save Them? 149
6.1 Short-Term Plan 150
6.2 Long-Term Plan 150
6.2.1 Increase Agricultural Production 151
6.2.2 Come Out of Protectionism 151
6.2.3 Stop Food Wastage 152
6.2.4 Obesity Control 153
6.2.5 Food Safety 154
6.2.6 Well-Planned Market System 154
6.2.7 No Bio-fuel 155
6.2.8 Economy Lifestyle 155
6.2.9 No War 156
6.2.10 No Ethnic Violence 157
6.2.11 Population Control/Management 157
6.2.12 Corruption Control 157
6.2.13 No Military Administration 158
6.2.14 Fight Diseases 159
6.2.15 Proper Education and Training 159
6.2.16 Right to Migration 159
6.2.17 Industrialisation and Job Creation 160
6.2.18 Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions 160
6.2.19 Root Out Terrorism 161
7 Finance 161
8 Conclusion 163
References 164
Chapter 10: The Self-Reliant Country: Sustainable Agricultural Policy for Australia? 166
1 Introduction 166
1.1 Historical Background 167
2 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production 168
3 Analysis: Creating Our Future. Agriculture and Food Policy for the Next Generation 170
3.1 Markets Section 170
3.2 Natural Resources Section 171
4 Limitations of the Current Agriculturaland Food Policy Framework 172
5 Conclusion 173
References 174
Chapter 11: LCA Potentials and Limits Within a Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework 177
1 Introduction 177
2 LCA as a Tool for the Development of a Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework 178
2.1 “Life-Cycle Thinking” Within LCA 178
2.2 The LCA Methodology 179
3 LCA Possibilities Leading to the Generation of a More Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework 180
3.1 Current Applications of LCA in Agricultural Production 180
3.2 Current Applications of LCA in Food Processing 181
4 Challenges Facing LCA for a More Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework 182
4.1 Challenges Facing the Specific Nature of the Agri-food Sector 182
4.2 Challenges Facing an Agri-food Statutory Framework 183
5 Conclusion 184
References 185
Chapter 12: Risk Communication at the Hungarian Guar-Gum Scandal 188
1 Introduction 189
1.1 What Is Guar Gum? 189
1.2 The Process of the Contamination 190
2 Objective 190
3 Materials and Methods 191
4 Results and Discussion 191
5 Conclusion 197
References 197
Chapter 13: The Environmental Challenges and Its Security Implications for South Asia 199
1 Introduction 199
2 Environment and Security: A Conceptual Understanding 201
3 Global Warming: A Major Environmental Threat for South Asia 202
4 Social Effects of Environmental Degradation 203
4.1 Population Growth 203
4.2 Agricultural Land and Agricultural Production 205
4.3 Population Displacement or Migration 206
4.4 Disrupted Institutions and Social Relations 207
5 Need for a Regional Approach on Environmental Crisis 207
5.1 Deep Cuts in Carbon Emissions 208
5.2 Population Control 208
5.3 Strengthening Institutions and Legislation 209
5.4 Accounting and Cooperative Management of Natural Resources 209
5.5 Training and Orientation Programs in Environmental Management 210
5.6 Promoting Environmental Awareness 210
5.7 Promoting Appropriate Environmental Technologies 210
6 Conclusion 211
References 211
Part III Climate Change and Energy as New Major Factors Redefining the World Food Equation 213
Chapter 14: Climate Change, Seasonality and Hunger: The South Asian Experience 214
1 Backdrop 214
2 Seasonality and Hunger 215
3 The Controlling of Climate in South Asia 217
4 The Heightened Impacts of Climate Change 220
5 Climate Proofing the Farmer to Ensure Food Security 223
6 Summing Up 224
References 227
Chapter 15: Effects of Climate Change on Food and Human Security in Nigeria 229
1 Introduction 229
2 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks on Climate Change and Human Security 230
2.1 What Is Climates and Climate Change? 230
2.2 Meaning and Dimensions of Food Security 231
2.3 The Concepts and Meaning of Human Security 231
2.4 Relationship Between Climate Change, Food Security and Human Security 232
2.5 Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Against Climate Change 233
3 Methodology 234
3.1 Study Area: Nature of Climate Change in Nigeria 234
3.2 Types and Methods of Data Collection 234
4 Results and Discussion of Findings 234
4.1 Factors Influencing Climate Change in Nigeria 235
4.2 Effects of Climate Change 235
4.2.1 Economic Effects of Climate Change 235
4.2.2 Social Effects of Climate Change 236
4.2.3 Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security 236
4.2.4 Human Consequences of Climate Change 237
4.2.5 Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Climate Change Effects in Nigeria 238
4.3 Government Responses to Climate Change and Constraining Factors 239
5 Conclusion and Recommendations 240
References 241
Chapter 16: Quantitative Assessment of Climate Change by Weather Generation Models and Downscaling GCM Data in Tehran, Iran 244
1 Introduction 245
2 Study Area 246
3 Methodology 247
3.1 Model Calibration 248
4 Modeling Results 249
4.1 Precipitation 249
4.2 Major and Extreme Rainfall 249
4.3 Temperature 250
4.4 Number of Hot and Icy Days 251
5 Conclusions 253
References 254
Chapter 17: The Role of Biofuels in the Sustainability of the Environment 256
1 Introduction 257
2 Features of Energy Consumption 257
3 The Environmental Protection Problem of the Increasing Energy Consumption 260
4 The International Situation of Utilization of Biofuels 262
5 Connection Between Food Supply, Biofuel Production and Environmental Protection 265
6 Doubts of Biofuel Utilization 266
7 Conclusions 266
References 267
Chapter 18: Energy Efficiency, Methane Output, Required Carbon Sequestration Area and Water Productivity in Extensive and Semi-intensive Beef Production in South America – A Comparison of Ecological Currencies 268
1 Introduction 269
2 General Approach and Methods 270
2.1 Energy Efficiency and Methane Emissions 270
2.2 Shadow Area 271
2.3 Water Footprint 272
3 Results and Discussion 273
3.1 Energetic Efficiency and Methane Production 273
3.2 Shadow Area 275
3.3 Water Footprint 275
4 Conclusions and Implications 276
References 277
Chapter 19: Biogas Energy From Agricultural By-Products: Energy Yields and Effects on Organic Farming Systems Compared with Energy Maize Cropping 279
1 Introduction and Goals 280
2 Material and Methods 280
2.1 Field Trial: Setting, Location, Climate 280
2.2 Digestion 281
2.3 Crop Rotations 281
2.3.1 Stockless Organic Farming 281
2.3.2 Organic Dairy Farming 281
2.4 Calculation of Attainable Energy Yields 282
3 Results 282
3.1 Substrates for Anaerobic Digestion 282
3.1.1 Stockless Organic Farming 282
3.1.2 Organic Dairy Farming 283
3.2 Energy Content of Substrates 284
3.3 Energy Yield Potential of the Whole Crop Rotations 284
4 Discussion 284
4.1 Trial Results of Energy Yields 284
4.2 Effects of Biogas Digestion on Farming Systems 285
4.2.1 Recovery of Nitrogen Derived from the Atmosphere by Symbiotic N2 Fixation 285
4.2.2 Decreasing of Nitrate Leaching Risk 285
4.2.3 Reduction of Trace Gas Emissions 285
4.2.4 Diversification of Crop Rotations by Cover Crops 286
4.2.5 Use of By-Products 286
4.2.6 Use of Problematic Biomass 286
4.3 Outlook: Factors Influencing the Future Development 287
4.3.1 Economic Points of View 287
4.3.2 Obstacles for Implementation 287
5 Conclusion 288
References 288
Part IV Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Relevant Experiences 290
Chapter 20: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Crisis in Sub-Sahara Africa 291
1 Introduction 291
2 Challenges of Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa 294
3 Trend in Food Consumption in Sub-Sahara Africa 296
3.1 Climatic Change 298
3.2 Weather Patterns and Drought Occurrence in Africa 299
3.3 Government Responses 299
3.4 Mitigation Potential of the Region 300
3.5 Sub-Saharan Africa’s Market Share and Potential 301
3.6 Greenpeace Suggestions on Mitigation 302
4 Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 302
References 304
Chapter 21: Soaring Food Prices and Africa’s Vulnerability and Responses 306
1 Introduction 306
2 Trends in Global Food Prices 308
2.1 Historical Perspective 308
2.2 Recent Trends in Food Prices 309
2.3 Drivers of Short-Term Trends 313
3 Cereal Vulnerability of African Countries 314
3.1 Africa’s Cereal Situation 314
3.2 Construction of a Vulnerability Index 315
3.3 Results of the Vulnerability Assessment 317
4 Implications of the Food Price Trends 319
4.1 Social Implications 319
4.2 Implications for Regional Trade and Foreign Investments 321
4.3 Implications for Policies 322
Box 21.1 Malawi’s Approach to Food Shortages 323
5 The African Development Bank’s Response 324
5.1 Short-Term Responses 324
5.2 Medium-to-Long Term Responses 325
6 Conclusion 326
Annex A. Food Consumption Shares (% of Total Expenditure) 327
Annex B. Cereal Balance (Values in Million) (2007/2008) 329
Annex C. Indicators of Vulnerability and Country Ranking 332
Annex D. Policy Measures Taken by Governments 335
References 337
Chapter 22: Significance of Vegetable Farming as a Strategy to Enhance Household Food Security in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe 338
1 Introduction 338
2 Location and Description of Study Area 339
3 Data Collection and Analysis 340
4 Results and Discussion 341
4.1 Motivating Factors 341
4.2 Farm Size and Location 342
4.3 Vegetables Grown and Output Levels 343
4.4 Strategies Used to Enhance Vegetable Productivity 343
4.5 Contribution of Vegetable Outputs to Dietary Diversity 344
4.6 Contribution of Vegetable Sales to Household Income 346
4.7 Use of Income from Vegetables by Households 347
4.8 Challenges Encountered by Households in Vegetable Farming and Marketing 348
5 Conclusion 348
6 Policy Considerations or Recommendations 348
References 349
Chapter 23: Changes in Agricultural Landscape: Some Ecological Implications for Sustainable Agriculture in Indian Punjab 350
1 Introduction 351
2 Objectives 351
3 Methodology 352
4 Results and Discussion 352
4.1 Trends Towards Specialized Farming 352
4.2 Indices of Crop Specialization/Diversification 354
4.3 Manifestation of Several Adverse Effects 354
4.3.1 Depletion of Ground Water Resources 354
4.3.2 Deteriorating Soil Fertility 355
4.3.3 High Use of Insecticides and Pesticides 355
4.3.4 Poisoning Food Commodities 357
4.3.5 Environmental Pollution 357
4.4 Resource Conserving Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture 357
4.5 Potential and Constraints for Increased Adoption of RCTS 360
4.6 Policy Options for Rapid Adoption of ResourceConservation Technologies 361
References 362
Chapter 24: Emerging Issues for the Formulation of Policy on Agri-Input Delivery System in Nigeria 363
1 Introduction 364
2 Primer of Agri-Input Policies 364
3 Background to Policy Interventions in Agri-Input Market 365
3.1 Policy Intervention Modes 365
3.1.1 Seed 365
3.1.2 Fertilizer 368
3.1.3 CPP 369
3.2 Lessons of Implementation Experience 369
4 Policy Formulation for Agri-Input Delivery 370
4.1 Process Approach 371
4.2 Articulation of Policy on Agri-Inputs Delivery 371
4.3 Formulation of Implementation Strategy for Agri-Inputs Delivery 372
5 Emerging Policy Issues and Optimal Resolution of Issues 372
5.1 Political Economy and Governance Issues 373
5.2 Structural and Systemic Issues 373
6 Concluding Remarks 374
References 375
Postface 376
Notes on Contributors 378
Author Index 394
Subject Index 403