FAO in the 21st century

FAO in the 21st century

Ensuring food security in a changing world

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2011

Table of Contents

Foreword Editorial board Acknowledgements Abbreviations Executive summary	[300Kb]

PART 1 MAJOR CHALLENGES TO FOOD SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY Chapter 1 Population dynamics and hunger Hunger: taking stock of the global situation Population: 9.2 billion people to feed in 2050 Conclusion Chapter 2 Pressures on natural resources and the environment Land and water resources Biodiversity Conclusion Chapter 3 Climate change The threat of climate change Adaptation and mitigation in agriculture Conclusion Chapter 4 Managing globalization in the agriculture sector International trade and market access Large land acquisitions for food exports Engaging the private sector in food security and sustainable development Investing in agriculture Technology development, transfer and opportunities Conclusion	[3.8Mb]

PART 2 FAO IN ACTION: TOWARDS THE ERADICATION OF HUNGER Chapter 5 Successes and lessons learned in policy development Policy assistance in a changing environment Gender-sensitive policy advice Access to land Engagement with civil society Public outreach The power of knowledge Strategic development and organizational reforms Conclusion Chapter 6 FAO in action: past, present and future Negotiating international instruments Supporting investment in agricultural development Promoting sustainable forestry development The role of fish and fisheries in food security and nutrition Preparing for and responding to threats and emergencies Fighting transboundary plant, animal and fish diseases Increasing agricultural production and productivity Agricultural research, technology development and extension National and regional programmes for food security Food safety, quality and nutrition in a changing environment Conclusion Chapter 7 Towards total eradication of hunger in the world Translating the vision into sound policy and effective action Three World Food Summits and a High-Level Conference Enhancing market information systems Strengthening global governance of food security and nutrition Conclusion	[817Kb]

Annex 1 A view of FAO Strategic and functional objectives and regional representation References	[333Kb]

ABSTRACT

FAO’s mandate is to assist its member countries and the international community in ensuring that all people have access to sufficient and safe and food. On a world scale, food production capacity is sufficient to satisfy this basic human right. Despite relentless efforts and comprehensive initiatives, the number of undernourished in the world has increased in the last half decade, peaking in 2009 to more than 1 billion – one in seven – people.

A decade into the 21st century, the world is facing a number of complex challenges, with serious implications for the state of global food security. The world’s population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and rural-urban migration is increasing considerably, with growth concentrated in today’s developing countries. Globalization is affecting the agriculture sector and, together with economic expansion and urbanization, this is contributing to changing patterns in food consumption. Natural resources are being subject to unprecedented pressure from human activities, and marked climate and environmental changes are occurring, resulting in more frequent disasters and emergencies.

This book details current knowledge of these complex challenges and discusses likely implications for the food and agriculture sector and for hunger and poverty reduction efforts, including FAO’s role in assisting its member countries in the coming years. Development practitioners, planners, decision-makers and all members of the international community with a genuine interest in hunger and poverty reduction will appreciate the book’s broad and up-to-date coverage of global food security issues.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes, including educational purposes, may incur fees. Applications for permission to reproduce or disseminate FAO copyright materials, and all queries concerning rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to [email protected] or to the Chief, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.