The prognosis of the fight against world hunger is seemingly bleak. Food shortages already exist, and the population of the planet is expected to exceed 9 billion by the middle of this century. Is the battle already lost? How can we add another 2-3 billion people to the equation and imagine that we have even a remote chance of winning the war on poverty and hunger? How can we end world hunger for good?

The answer lies in increasing efficiency. In the 1960s, the original Green Revolution brought modern fertilizers and agricultural methods to farmers in developing countries. The Revolution also led to the development of higher-yield crops and the expansion of infrastructure. Now it is time for the Green Revolution, Take 2.  We need such a revolution to support the still booming global population.

Research and development are the crucial elements of this next phase. Since most arable land is already in use for food production, the answer lies in increasing yields of the crops we currently grow. This problem can be approached in a variety of ways. Hybrid seeds and, like ‘em or hate ‘em, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have the potential to increase harvest size dramatically. A recent study in Zambia, conducted by the local government and Concern Worldwide, showed that hybrid seeds produce four times the amount of maize per hectare, compared to the African average.

Maximizing production through research and development will be crucial. Other kinds of efforts are also needed, however.  In developing countries especially, where smallholder farmers can make up a sizeable portion of the farming population, technological and financial support needs to be given. Many small-scale farmers require assistance in order to modernize their equipment and techniques. Additionally, in more rural areas where most farmers live, poor or inadequate infrastructure poses further problems for acquiring and distributing supplies, and in selling crops.

While success will hinge on technological developments and their implementation across all strata of society, there is also is a political battle to be fought and won. Leaders, at all levels, from local to international, will have to push for and honor commitments towards the support of agricultural development and ending global hunger.

The means for revolutionizing agricultural production are already becoming available to us. We can end world hunger. The challenge is going to be in implementing them across the globe in order to boost agricultural production worldwide.

– David Wilson

Source: Irish Examiner
Photo: Putting Farmers First