Agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries and their possiblecontribution to food security

Andrea Sonnino and John Ruane

Agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries and their possiblecontribution to food security

Year of publication 2011

Pages 9

Author Andrea Sonnino and John Ruane

Product type Document

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Latest FAO figures indicate that an estimated 925 million people are undernourished in 2010, representing almost 16% of the population in developing countries. Looking to the future, there are also major challenges ahead from the rapidly changing socio-economic environment (increasing world population and urbanisation, and dietary changes) and climate change. Promoting agriculture in developing countries is the key to achieving food security, and it is essential to act in four ways: to increase investment in agriculture, broaden access to food, improve governance of global trade, and increase productivity while conserving natural resources. To enable the fourth action, the suite of technological options for farmers should be as broad as possible, including agricultural biotechnologies. Agricultural biotechnologies represent a broad range of technologies used in food and agriculture for the genetic improvement of plant varieties and animal populations, characterisation and conservation of genetic resources, diagnosis of plant or animal diseases and other purposes. Discussions about agricultural biotechnology have been dominated by the continuing controversy surrounding genetic modification and its resulting products, genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The polarised debate has led to non-GMO biotechnologies being overshadowed, often hindering their development and application.

Language English

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In a similar but wider scope than the previous special issue produced in 2011 during the 4th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV), this updated Special Issue of Agriculture and Food Security Statistics now includes information not only for of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), but also for all Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The current issue presents a compilation of upto- date available agricultural statistics covering th e general nature of the agricultural sector in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS ranging across the crops, livestock, forest and fisheries sub-sectors. Basic data and indicators covering resource use and potential, production, consumption, utilization, trade and price volatility are presented. Some of the information on key commodities traded by the concerned group of countries is presented by the degree or stage of processing. In addition, data on recent trends in agricultural investment in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs is also included. It is hoped that this special issue can serve as a framework for assessing each country’s state of agricultural development and provide relevant information to policy-makers and others concerned with the issues of agricultural development and food security in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
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