The Full Picture

[

] 247

Some factors, such as weather and climate variability

and change, are not only important at the local and

regional level but also globally. This is especially true

with regard to rainfall and water availability. The contin-

ued expansion of irrigation and associated water

withdrawal for improved agricultural production will

continue for the rest of this century. This will further

exacerbate the competition between municipal, indus-

trial, agricultural and environmental requirements for

fresh water resources. The impacts of these factors on

agriculture production vary greatly by region, thus

requiring the development of regionally-specific agri-

cultural strategies.

For agriculture to meet these challenges, it requires

information and knowledge about ecological, economic,

social and cultural aspects of agricultural production,

and better-informed citizens and decision makers. These

challenges, combined with growing demand for food,

feed, fibre and fuel, will result in major shifts in the

distribution of natural and managed ecosystems for the

rest of this century. They require, in turn, sustained

observation and greater scientific and technological

innovations to meet the growing demand from agricul-

tural ecosystems.

Opportunities in global agriculture

There are many opportunities to apply science and tech-

nology to meet the challenges global agriculture faces.

Integrated natural resources management practices such

as nutrient, pest and water management together with

crop rotations and conservation tillage practices have

enabled enhanced production of goods and services

from agricultural ecosystems, while preserving their

integrity and function.

Advances in biotechnology (i.e. genomics, genetics,

and proteomics), nanotechnology, geospatial, and infor-

mation and telecommunication technologies will

continue to enable us to meet these challenges. These

include advances in the biotechnologies of genomic,

oping countries. For example, world cereal production has doubled

since 1961, with average yields per hectare increasing around 150

per cent in many high and low-income countries. Despite this great

progress, there are about a billion people in the world who suffer from

hunger and malnutrition. The projected increase in global popula-

tion, urbanization and changing lifestyles will continue to exert

pressure on natural, agricultural and other managed ecosystems to

provide necessary goods and services for the rest of this century.

Challenges facing global agriculture

Agriculture faces many challenges and opportunities in the 21st

century, as it has since the beginning of modern agriculture. Today,

global agriculture is a complex system that can be described on the

basis of biophysical, economic and socio-cultural parameters. All

three parameters will have to be considered in responding to 21st

century demands. For the rest of this century, agriculture needs to:

• Ensure food security for an increasing global population

• Increase agricultural productivity and its efficiency while sustain-

ing the natural resources base

• Adapt to and/or mitigate the impacts of weather and climate

changes

• Accommodate the growing demands for water and energy

• Respond to an evolving global market.

Agriculture is an energy intensive sector of the global economy.

Changes in energy types, availability and prices will have a signifi-

cant impact on food production, processing and distribution. The

growing reliance on fossil fuels for farming operations as well as

fertilizers and chemicals has increased greenhouse gas emissions,

notably CO2, CH4 and Nitrogen oxides. This trend is contributing

to global and local environmental changes with negative conse-

quences to agriculture itself, thus eroding the natural foundation

upon which it depends.

Both global and local policies and decisions continue to influence

agricultural development. At the global level major factors such as

markets and policies, international trade, and public-sector invest-

ments in agricultural research play an important role. At the local

and regional level, social and cultural issues, and grassroots solu-

tions to everyday challenges are major factors.

Assessment tools

Source: Ghassem Asrar

Assessment tools can document the benefits of conservation practices across the landscape

OCIETAL

ENEFIT

REAS

– A

GRICULTURE