this sector. In 2009, FAO’s Economic and Social Development Department organized an expert meeting and high-level expert forum around the question of “How to feed the world in 2050”. The scientific basis of this initiative was provided by world-class experts, who analysed key aspects of the matter, including population, poverty and macroeconomic developments; investment and technology; and markets and price development, the connection between food and energy markets, and the impact of climate change. This volume follows up on these events in two ways. First, the volume proposes a selection of revised and updated results – which in some cases resulted from the interaction of experts after the 2009 expert meeting – and takes stock of the conclusions reached, highlighting areas where there is fundamental consensus, and those where more information and analytical work are required. Second, the results form the basis of discussion of the strategies and policies that can be considered to prepare global agriculture for the 2050 perspective.