Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World

Developing countries have made impressive progress in food production in recent years but at a high cost to environmental quality. As their populations continue to grow, soil degradation, contamination of natural waters, air quality, and greenhouse gases become increasing concerns. This book takes on the challenge of enhancing agricultural production while reversing trends in environmental degradation. It reviews the state of natural resources, fertilizer and energy needs, the importance of biotechnology, water quality, agricultural chemicals, pesticide residues, water harvesting, post-harvest food losses, storage and processing of animal products, and economic factors.

Can developing countries meet the food requirements of their growing populations without jeopardizing a natural resource base that is already under great stress?Can increases in food production achieved in the past two decades be sustained in the next two decades?Can developing countries achieve freedom from hunger and malnutrition for their entire populations?How can food security be reconciled with environment quality in an industrializing society?Leading authorities, from soil scientists to economists, address these critical questions in Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World. With a focus on India, this book reviews the state of natural resources, fertilizer and energy needs, and the potential importance of biotechnology as they affect all developing countries. It then addresses issues pertaining to water quality, agricultural chemicals, and pesticide residues on food. Part Three examines water harvesting, post-harvest food losses, storage and processing of animal products, and sustainability and inequality issues. The next sections deal with poverty alleviation, microfinance, gender equity, policy issues, and the role of the public sector. Finally, the book considers emerging issues and priorities.Developing countries have achieved an impressive increase in total food production over the past two decades, but at a high cost to environmental quality. As the populations of these countries continue to grow, soil degradation, pollution and contamination of natural waters, deteriorating air quality, and growing dependence on expensive and diminishing fossil fuels become increasing concerns. Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World takes on the crucial challenge of enhancing agricultural production while reversing the alarming trends in soil and environmental degradation.

Preface, R. Lal, D.O. Hansen, N. Uphoff and S. SlackForeword, L. BrownFOOD DEMAND AND SUPPLYThe Century of Hope, M.S. SwaminathanNatural Resources of India, R. LalFood Security: Is India at Risk? D. Umali-Deininger and S. ShapouriFertilizer Needs to Enhance Production: Challenges Facing India, A. RoyEconomic Impacts of Agricultural Soil Degradation in Asia, S.J. ScherrSoil Degradation as a Threat to Food Security, R.P. Narwal, B.R. Singh, and R.S. AntilImportance of Biotechnology in Global Food Security, P. Jauhar and G.S. KhushEnergy Inputs in Crop Production in Developing and Developed Countries, D. Pimentel, R. Doughty, C. Carothers, S. Lamberson, N. Bora, and K. LeeENVIRONMENT QUALITYEnvironmental Conflict and Agricultural Intensification in India, G. VasudevaWater Quality and Agricultural Chemicals, R. KanwarFactors Influencing Environmental Degradation and Pollution in India, C. EdwardsAgricultural Chemicals and the Environment, D. PimentelApplying Grades and Standards of Reducing Pesticide Residues to Access Global Markets, K.V. RamanReconciling Food Security and Environment Quality through Strategic Interventions for Poverty Reduction, A. SethTECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONSEnsuring Food Security and Environment Stewardship in the 21st Century, S.K. DeDattaWater Harvesting and Management to Alleviate Drought Stress, G.W. FrasierPost Harvest Food Losses to Pests in India, D. Pimentel, K.V. RamanStorage and Processing of Agricultural Products, J.A. NarvhusPost Harvest Food Technology for Village Operations, P. HansenReconciling Animal Food Products with Security and Environment Quality, H.W. Ockerman and L. BasuSustainable Agriculture on a Populous and Industrialized Landscape: Building Ecosystem Vitality and Productivity, R. HarwoodPoverty and Inequality: A Life Chances Perspective, N. UphoffPOVERTY AND EQUITYGlobal Food Security, Environmental Sustainability and Poverty Alleviation: Complementary or Contradictory Goals? W.B. Lacy, L.R. Lacy, and D.O. HansenPoverty and Inequality: A Life Chances Perspective, N. UphoffMicrofinance, Poverty Alleviation and Improving Food Security: Implications for India, R.L. MeyerPoverty and Gender in Indian Food Security: Assessing Measures of Inequity, P. RobbinsPOLICY ISSUESPriorities for Policy Reform in Indian Agriculture, P. HazellThe Role of Public Sector in Achieving Food Security, G.E. SchuhGlobal Food Supply and Demand Projections and Implications for Indian Agricultural Policy, L. TweetenContext, Concepts and Policy on Poverty and Inequality, F.J. HitzhusenSustainable Development: Some Economic Considerations, A. RandallISSUES AND PRIORITIESReconciling Food Security with Environment Quality in the 21st Century, N. Uphoff, R. Lal, D. Hansen, and S. Slack

Rattan Lal, David O. Hansen, Norman Uphoff