Andrew Schoenfeld Agricultural Development

Andrew Schoenfeld - Agricultural
Development
1. What challenges does agriculture face today?
For decades, agricultural science has focused on boosting production through the
development of new technologies. It has achieved enormous yield gains as well as lower
costs for large-scale farming. But this success has come at a high environmental cost.
Furthermore, it has not solved the social and economic problems of the poor in developing
countries, which have generally benefited the least from this boost in production.
Todays world is a place of uneven development, unsustainable use of natural resources,
worsening impact of climate change, and continued poverty and malnutrition. Poor food
quality and diets are partly responsible for the increase of chronic diseases like obesity and
heart disease. Agriculture is closely linked to these concerns, including the loss of
biodiversity, global warming and water availability.
The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development
(IAASTD) focuses on agriculture as the provider of food, nutrition, health, environmental
services, and economic growth that is both sustainable and socially equitable. This
assessment recognizes the diversity of agricultural ecosystems and of local social and cultural
conditions.
It is time to fundamentally rethink the role of agricultural knowledge, science and technology
in achieving equitable development and sustainability. The focus must turn to the needs of
small farms in diverse ecosystems and to areas with the greatest needs. This means improving
rural livelihoods, empowering marginalized stakeholders, sustaining natural resources,
enhancing multiple benefits provided by ecosystems, considering diverse forms of
knowledge, and providing fair market access for farm products.
2. What are the pros and cons of bioenergy?

Bioenergy is heat, electricity, or transport fuel produced from plant or animal materials.
Millions of people still depend on traditional bioenergy like wood or charcoal for cooking
and heating, which can be unsustainable and pose health risks.
In many developed countries, the rising costs of fossil fuels, as well as concerns about energy
security and climate change, are generating new interest in other forms of bioenergy. For
example, new liquid biofuels are made from crops or from agricultural and forestry residues.
However, energy is needed to grow, transport and process bioenergy crops, causing
considerable debate about their net benefit in terms of greenhouse gas reduction. Another
major concern is that using crop land to produce fuel could raise food prices, drive smallscale farmers off their land and prolong hunger in the world.
Electricity and heat can also be obtained from plant residues and animal wastes, either by
burning them directly or by first producing biogas then burning it. These renewable energy
sources usually produce less greenhouse gas emissions than other fuels. They can be
effective, for instance in places not connected to the electric grid.
Decision-makers should compare all forms of bioenergy to other sustainable energy options
and carefully weigh full social, environmental and economic costs against realistically
achievable benefits. Decisions in this context are heavily influenced by local conditions.
3. Can biotechnology help meet the growing demand

for food?
Biotechnologies are techniques that use living organisms to make or modify a product. Some
conventional biotechnologies are well-accepted, such as fermentation for bread or alcohol
production. Another example is plant and animal breeding to create varieties with better
characteristics or increased yields.
Modern biotechnologies change the genetic code of living organisms using a technique
called genetic modification. These technologies have been widely adopted in industrial
applications such as enzyme production.
Other applications remain contentious, such as the use of genetically modified (GM) crops
created by inserting genes from other organisms. Some GM crops can bring yield gains in
some places and declines in others. Because new techniques are rapidly being developed,
longer-term assessments of environmental and health risks and benefits tend to lag behind
discoveries. This increases speculation and uncertainty.
The possibility of patenting genetic modifications can attract investment in agricultural
research. But it also tends to concentrate ownership of resources, drive up costs, inhibit
independent research, and undermine local farming practices such as seed-saving that are
especially important in developing countries. It could also mean new liabilities, for example
if a genetically modified plant spreads to nearby farms.
Many problems could be solved if biotechnologies would focus on local priorities identified
through transparent processes involving the full spectrum of stakeholders.
4. How is climate change threatening agriculture?

Agriculture has contributed to climate change in many ways, for instance through the
conversion of forests to farmland and the release of greenhouse gases. Conversely, climate
change now threatens to irreversibly damage natural resources on which agriculture depends.
The effects of global warming are already visible in much of the world. In some areas,
moderate warming can slightly increase crop yields. But overall, negative impacts will
increasingly dominate. Floods and droughts become more frequent and severe, which is
likely to seriously affect farm productivity and the livelihoods of rural communities, and
increase the risk of conflicts over land and water. Also, climate change encourages the spread
of pests and invasive species and may increase the geographical range of some diseases.
Some land use management approaches can help mitigate global warming. These include
planting trees, restoring degraded land, conserving natural habitats, and improving soil and
fertility management. Policy options include financial incentives to grow trees, reduce
deforestation and develop renewable energy sources. Agriculture and other rural activities
must be integrated in future international policy agreements on climate change. However,
since some changes in the climate are now inevitable, adaptation measures are also
imperative.

Andrew Schoenfeld Agricultural Development

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Andrew Schoenfeld Agricultural Development

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Andrew Schoenfeld Agricultural Development

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Andrew Schoenfeld - Agricultural

2. What are the pros and cons of bioenergy?

3. Can biotechnology help meet the growing demand

4. How is climate change threatening agriculture?

You might also like