One of the papers I read elaborated on the idea of ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security.
First, the industrialization of agriculture will not lead to guaranteed safety of output food. Sustainable agriculture should be based on the rational use of urban and natural resources. Currently, we are faced with a rising world population, water scarcity, and weather changes that create barriers to adequate and safe food. On the one hand, the expanding population is making the limited amount of agricultural land available insufficient to support the food needs of the population. On the other hand, “food deserts” – areas of the city that have been abandoned and not used for cultivation – are a reminder of the importance of using resources wisely.
Scientists are currently considering the feasibility of various scientific approaches to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security, such as the rebuilding of “food desert” areas, organic and non-organic farming that requires less space. In addition, if we are familiar with the weather patterns and learn to cope with them, we can significantly reduce the impact of weather changes, such as the construction of plant protection measures. In addition, if certain crops are no longer suitable for the areas they are grown in due to weather changes, they can be considered for relocation to more suitable locations, or they can be considered for replacement by other crops with the same nutrient content and better suited to the local weather. In short, emerging agricultural technologies are being considered in conjunction with the concept of sustainable development to maximize food productivity and safety while reducing the impact of weather.
Reference:
Smith, & Archer, R. (2020). Climate, population, food security: adapting and evolving in times of global change. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 27(5), 419–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1712558
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 