Feed the Farm Feed the World

Sagadevan G. Mundree

Professor and DirectorCentre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities

Institute for Future Environments

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OverviewIntroduction

Global challenge to sustain an increasing population

Enhancing water use efficiency

Bridging the innovation chasm

Bridging the gap between agriculture and health

Reaching out to Subsistence Farmers

Concluding remarks

Queensland, Australia• Population of more than 4.8

million people, 20% of Australian population

• Strong Government Leadership

• Clear and supportive regulatory and legislative frameworks

• Tropical/sub tropical climate

• Access to Asian markets

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Brisbane central business district

a university for thereal worldR

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Global challenge to Sustain an Increasing Population

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World population

Food production Doubled Required increase by 60%

Major constraint for future food production is abiotic stress

2000 20501960

3 billion

6 billion

9.7 billion

FAO, 2015

Global water resource/usage

Vast  majority  of  Earth’s  water  resources  are  salt  water-­ 2.5%  fresh-­ 70%  of  fresh  water  locked  in  Antarctic  ice  caps

Agriculture:  70  – 80  %  global  water  use-­ Water  resources  competition-­ Climate  change

Need  to  improve  Water  Use  Efficiency-­ Crop  management-­ Crop  improvement-­ Water  Use  Efficiency  (WUE)  

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