Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World

by Lal; Rattan

• ISBN13: 9781566705943
• ISBN10: 1566705940
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-07-29
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Can developing countries meet the food requirements of their growing populations without jeopardizing a natural resource base that is already under great stress? Can increases in food production achieved in the past two decades be sustained in the next two decades? Can developing countries achieve freedom from hunger and malnutrition for their entire populations? How can food security be reconciled with environment quality in an industrializing society? Leading authorities, from soil scientists to economists, address these critical questions in Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World. With a focus on India, this book reviews the state of natural resources, fertilizer and energy needs, and the potential importance of biotechnology as they affect all developing countries. It then addresses issues pertaining to water quality, agricultural chemicals, and pesticide residues on food. Part Three examines water harvesting, post-harvest food losses, storage and processing of animal products, and sustainability and inequality issues. The next sections deal with poverty alleviation, microfinance, gender equity, policy issues, and the role of the public sector. Finally, the book considers emerging issues and priorities. Developing countries have achieved an impressive increase in total food production over the past two decades, but at a high cost to environmental quality. As the populations of these countries continue to grow, soil degradation, pollution and contamination of natural waters, deteriorating air quality, and growing dependence on expensive and diminishing fossil fuels become increasing concerns. Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World takes on the crucial challenge of enhancing agricultural production while reversing the alarming trends in soil and environmental degradation.

Table of Contents

Preface, R. Lal, D.O. Hansen, N. Uphoff and S. Slack

Foreword, L. Brown

FOOD DEMAND AND SUPPLY

The Century of Hope, M.S. Swaminathan

Natural Resources of India, R. Lal

Food Security: Is India at Risk? D. Umali-Deininger and S. Shapouri

Fertilizer Needs to Enhance Production: Challenges Facing India, A. Roy

Economic Impacts of Agricultural Soil Degradation in Asia, S.J. Scherr

Soil Degradation as a Threat to Food Security, R.P. Narwal, B.R. Singh, and R.S. Antil

Importance of Biotechnology in Global Food Security, P. Jauhar and G.S. Khush

Energy Inputs in Crop Production in Developing and Developed Countries, D. Pimentel, R. Doughty, C. Carothers, S. Lamberson, N. Bora, and K. Lee

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY

Environmental Conflict and Agricultural Intensification in India, G. Vasudeva

Water Quality and Agricultural Chemicals, R. Kanwar

Factors Influencing Environmental Degradation and Pollution in India, C. Edwards

Agricultural Chemicals and the Environment, D. Pimentel

Applying Grades and Standards of Reducing Pesticide Residues to Access Global Markets, K.V. Raman

Reconciling Food Security and Environment Quality through Strategic Interventions for Poverty Reduction, A. Seth

TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONS

Ensuring Food Security and Environment Stewardship in the 21st Century, S.K. DeDatta

Water Harvesting and Management to Alleviate Drought Stress, G.W. Frasier

Post Harvest Food Losses to Pests in India, D. Pimentel, K.V. Raman

Storage and Processing of Agricultural Products, J.A. Narvhus

Post Harvest Food Technology for Village Operations, P. Hansen

Reconciling Animal Food Products with Security and Environment Quality, H.W. Ockerman and L. Basu

Sustainable Agriculture on a Populous and Industrialized Landscape: Building Ecosystem Vitality and Productivity, R. Harwood

Poverty and Inequality: A Life Chances Perspective, N. Uphoff

POVERTY AND EQUITY

Global Food Security, Environmental Sustainability and Poverty Alleviation: Complementary or Contradictory Goals? W.B. Lacy, L.R. Lacy, and D.O. Hansen

Poverty and Inequality: A Life Chances Perspective, N. Uphoff

Microfinance, Poverty Alleviation and Improving Food Security: Implications for India, R.L. Meyer

Poverty and Gender in Indian Food Security: Assessing Measures of Inequity, P. Robbins

POLICY ISSUES

Priorities for Policy Reform in Indian Agriculture, P. Hazell

The Role of Public Sector in Achieving Food Security, G.E. Schuh

Global Food Supply and Demand Projections and Implications for

Indian Agricultural Policy, L. Tweeten

Context, Concepts and Policy on Poverty and Inequality, F.J. Hitzhusen

Sustainable Development: Some Economic Considerations, A. Randall

ISSUES AND PRIORITIES

Reconciling Food Security with Environment Quality in the 21st Century, N. Uphoff, R. Lal, D. Hansen, and S. Slack