> Opening Session
> Session 1 : The future of rural areas in an urbanizing world
> Session 2 : The future of agriculture in a globalizing world
> Session 3 : Environmental challenges to agricultural development and food security
> Session 4 : Frontiers of science for agriculture in the 21st century
> Session 5 : Targeting and delivering research for marginal areas and marginalized people
> Session 6 : Policy options for the future


Agenda : Environmental challenges to agricultural development and food security

Moderator: Geoff Hawtin

Natural ecosystems are unmatched for efficient nutrient recycling and biodiversity preservation, but they cannot feed expanding human populations. Agricultural activities occupy and influence vast landscapes. Farmers, ranchers, and foresters manage, work and live in watersheds, grasslands, hillsides, coastal plains, forests, and river deltas. These various agro-ecosystems provide a wide range of local, national and global benefits and services in the form of positive externalities and public goods. A common problem, however, is that many important environmental services provided by agricultural landscapes (including forested areas) are not recognized by markets. Examples include soil conservation, quality, carbon substitution and sequestration, biological diversity, wildlife habitats, maintenance of seed genetic stocks, protection of agricultural heritage systems and water related issues. Agricultural landscapes must increasingly feed humans while simultaneously providing a range of environmental services.

Potential questions to be addressed :

How can the water and other resources be managed more efficiently to enhance food production while conserving the environment? What is the role for policies, markets and institutions in the management of local and global public goods? Can environmental service payments, including biofuels and the related carbon emission financing schemes be used as a mechanism for poverty reduction?

Participants: Related Papers and Presentations: Jia-an Cheng   Geoff Hawtin   Frank Rijsberman Presentation: How to use water more effectively but conserve the environment Robert Watson Presentation: Agriculture and Climate Change and Variability