How can all of the people in the world be fed?????????????

Created by Ms. Smith

The Green RevolutionThe introduction and rapid spread of high yield wheat and rice. This was achieved by crossing of the different strains of major food crops to greater and larger yields that were more resistant to drought and disease. When: mid 1960’sPurpose: To meet the food needs of the developing world.

The Results….lead to greater grain and rice productionhigher food outputs for LDC’sSelf-sufficiency for some countries (Pakistan-wheat exporter, India-11 m tonnes to 27 m tons from 1965 to 1972, Mexico- double wheat yields, Philippines and Indonesia-rice previously imported)Planting dates more flexibleEarly maturity, multiple cropping

Criticisms of the Green Revolution Rich farmers have the resources for fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation water, machinery, storage and transportation (gap between rich and poor farmers widen)Colour, texture and tastes of new rice not well received.More difficult to raise output of rice with biotechnology, due to precise water control. high yield varieties more costly to produce Many HYVs require more labour than the traditional counterparts (irrigation and fertilization)Contamination of watersheds by nitrates and phosphates, long term destroyed soilLoss of biodiversity-4 strains of wheat produce 3/4 of Canada’s crop.If farmers only rely on a few strains of a plant, a new disease can wipe out a large portion of the harvest

FACTSome African countries import wheat due to the trend to consume “western foods”. Also, it is cheaper because governments have kept down the price of imported cereals. Thus, local farmers produce CASH CROPS for export rather than food crops for local consumption.

Solutions…Maintain genetic Banks where seeds from a great diversity of plants can be frozen and stored.Control populationGenetically modified foods (GM) Get from the Sea………..The Blue Revolution

The Blue RevolutionModern technology has allowed us to obtain food from the sea in many fish varietiesincreased seventeen fold in the last fifty yearsAquaculture, or the growing or harvesting of marine plants and animals for human consumption, is predicted to overtake the traditional wild fishery

What it can do… Protein source for the one billion chronically malnourished people worldwideRelieve pressure on land

ConcernsExploitation of the traditional wild fisheryBoundary disputesAquaculture destroys land along coastsWater pollutionWetland lossSpread of disease

Desertification….What is It????

Land degradation in arid, semi arid and dry sub-humid areas due to:

Over cultivationOvergrazingDeforestation Poor irrigation practices Changing lifestyles

Irregular precipitation can lead to drought (drier than average rainfall)Populations in these areas used the methods of shifting agriculture and nomadic herding to respond to these challenges but,changing economic and political circumstances, population growth, and a trend towards more settled communities has increased desertification

Problems associated with desertification…

The Earth's drylands are found in more than 110 nations, and moderate to severe land degradation has reduced the productivity of more than 70% of these areas..

Levels of degradation in the world

Consequences…reduces the land’s resilience to natural climate variability.Soil becomes less productiveVegetation becomes damaged or lostSome of the consequences are borne by people living outside the immediately affected areaFood production is underminedDesertification contributes to famineDesertification is a huge drain on economic resources

Africa and Desertification2/3 of the continent is desert or drylands. The region is affected by frequent and severe droughts.Many African nations are landlocked, have widespread poverty, need external assistance and depend heavily on natural resources for subsistence few institutional, legal, scientific, technical and educational resources linked to migration and food security-Sahel zone (turn to page 122)