Overview

The global food system is characterized by large numbers of people experiencing food insecurity and hunger on the one hand, and vast amounts of food waste and overconsumption on the other. This book brings together experiences from different countries addressing the challenges associated with food security. Seen through various disciplinary lenses the different cases included are countries at various stages of food security, with diverse stories of success as well as failures in their efforts. China, Brazil and India, as well as less developed countries in Africa and Asia, such as Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The authors pay special attention to the environmental and socio-economic challenges in the respective chapters and how they contribute to food insecurity. Each of the case studies identifies and analyzes which factors or drivers (environmental, economic, policy, technology, markets) have been the most powerful shapers of the food system and their future impact. The case studies identify interventions at regional, national and local level that contribute positively to food security, highlighting solutions that are effective and easy to implement for all levels of decision makers, from farmers to policy makers. Overall, the book provides insights in order to foster a greater understanding of the issues surrounding food security and support progress towards the goal of a sustainable food system for all.

Full Product Details

9781138817012

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book combines political, economic and agro-ecological analyses to examine the causes of food insecurity and through in-depth country case studies provides important insights to the need for diverse approaches to solving the problem of food insecurity, making it clear that political economy as well as technical approaches are necessary. - Leslie Lipper, EPIC Programme Director and Senior Environmental Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. This timely and comprehensive volume ably highlights the complexity and multifaceted nature of the food security issue. Whilst recognizing that food security goes far beyond simply increasing production, the importance of access to water and irrigation as a major determinant of land productivity, particularly in an era of climate change, is explored. The book clearly articulates the critical role that agricultural research will play in enabling food production to keep pace with population growth without compromising vital natural systems. - Jeremy Bird, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka. Dr. Udaya Sekhar Nagothu and his colleagues deserve our gratitude for preparing this timely book which shows the way for sustainable food and nutrition security. The experiences of nine different countries are analyzed and their strengths and weaknesses have been pointed out. The book is timely because of the launching of the Zero Hunger Challenge next year for the United Nations. The book compiled by Dr. Nagothu gives very interesting information on the policies and strategies adopted by countries like China and India as well as seven other countries for removing the scourge of hunger. The book is comprehensive and deals with the multiple dimensions of food and nutrition security. I hope it will be widely read and used by all concerned with the achievement of zero hunger. I congratulate and thank Dr Udaya Sekhar Nagothu and his colleagues for this labour of love for a hunger free world. - M.S. Swaminathan, UNESCO Chair in Ecotechnology,Founder Chairman of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, former Director General of the International Rice Research Institute and former President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

This book combines political, economic and agro-ecological analyses to examine the causes of food insecurity and through in-depth country case studies provides important insights to the need for diverse approaches to solving the problem of food insecurity, making it clear that political economy as well as technical approaches are necessary. - Leslie Lipper, EPIC Programme Director and Senior Environmental Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. This timely and comprehensive volume ably highlights the complexity and multifaceted nature of the food security issue. Whilst recognizing that food security goes far beyond simply increasing production, the importance of access to water and irrigation as a major determinant of land productivity, particularly in an era of climate change, is explored. The book clearly articulates the critical role that agricultural research will play in enabling food production to keep pace with population growth without compromising vital natural systems. - Jeremy Bird, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka.

This book combines political, economic and agro-ecological analyses to examine the causes of food insecurity and through in-depth country case studies provides important insights to the need for diverse approaches to solving the problem of food insecurity, making it clear that political economy as well as technical approaches are necessary. - Leslie Lipper, EPIC Programme Director and Senior Environmental Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Author Information

Udaya Sekhar Nagothu is Professor and Director of International Projects at The Norwegian Institute for Agriculture and Environmental Research (Bioforsk), Ås, Norway.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available