Sustainability: Food

Environment – produce food without:

Undue degradation of the soilOveruse of water

Unacceptable levels of pollution

Degradation/destruction of habitat

Socio-cultural sustainibility:Rural communities ability to

retain traditionRetain cohesiveness and

culturalvalue

Produce sufficient food forthe local area

Economic sustainability:Agricultural system providesacceptable economic return

For the employedSupply enough food for the non-agricultural population

Weekly food consumption in US $

Chad : $1.24Bhutan : $5.03

Ecuador : $31.55Egypt : $68.53

Poland : $151.27Mexico : $189.09

Italy : $260.11USA : $348.98

Where are the hungry people:A lack of food is most common inCountries across South East Asia,India, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Half of the world's

hungry people live in India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nigeria. 1/3 of sub-Saharan children are

malnourished.

The effects of malnutrition:Kwashiorkor – caused by a

lackof protein and leads to swollen

hands, legs and stomach.Marasmus – caused by a

severelack of food, results in

diarrhoea,wasting and low immunity

Anaemia – caused by a lack ofiron, makes people extremely

tired. Farmers with this will produce even less

Blindness – caused by a lackof vitamin A, effects at least

250,000 children a year.

Obesity in the USA

60 million adults and 9 million children are obese

Caused by an imbalance between eating too calories and not getting enough exercise

Being overweight/obese increases the riskof heart disease, hypertension, diabetes,

dysliptemia, stroke, asteothretis, gall bladderdisease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems

and cancerObesity is measured by the body mass index

(BMI)In 1991, there were 4 states with an obesity

rate of 14-19% and no states over 20%In 2004, there were 7 states with 15-19%, 33

states with 20-24% and 9 states over 25%Health costs reach $395 per person annually

Costs society $117 billionDue to fast food and fizzy drinks being readily

availableThere is a need to prevent obesity and engage

in physical activityCauses 100-400,000 deaths yearly

In 2008, 58 million were pre-diabetic,236 million were diabetic, 90-95% of which

weretype 2

Famine in Kenya

Droughts stretching back from 2000, 1997,1992 and 1987

2 years without rain (since 2004)Human fatalities counted in dozens

Hundreds of rotting animal carcassesChildren admitted to hospital suffering frommalnutrition rose from 2 a week to 4 a day90% of Wajir districts 407,000 population

are in a near catostrophic situation3.5-4 million people are facing starvation

11 million people were effected across EastAfrica

Half of all the cows and sheep in Wajir diedAnimals were left too weak to produce milk

and too emaciated to be slaughtered for meatAppealed for $150 million in aid

Britain provided £12.7 million ($19.2 mil)

HinderPromote

Physical

Economic

4 new outlets and 200 employees hired every working day – high demand

Brazil and Vietnam are the highest producers of Arabia and Robusta coffeeBags of coffee bean bring in $800/kg

and can be $50 a cup in New YorkLarge amount of money availablefor research and development in

fisheries = better equipment = increasedproductivity

High demand means more shops are opened, means more jobs are available

and reduces the unemployment rate

106,000 km² used for coffee beans-Not enough land to sustain demand

- Demand outweighs production- Price increases

Top consumers e.g. coffee shops in the US make the largest profit, producers

make the leastLow technology, labour intensive cheap

fisheriesLow yield, low revenue, can't survive85% artisinal vessels catch a small

fraction of the world's fish15% of the world's vessels are

industrialand catch 80% of all the fish

Relief – gentle sloping or flat relief is the

most efficient, less water run off and soilerosion

Soil – fertility depends on the amountof air, water and nutrients. Increased

fertility increases productionClimate – Increased rainfall and temperature promote growth to a

degree,hot, wet conditions are the best

Factors influencing food production

Relief – steep land increases run off and

erosionSoil – dry soils with a small humus layer(aridisol) or frozen soils (cryosol) can't support growth and hinder production

Climate – low temperatures have lowerproduction. Low rainfall climates e.g.

deserts also hinder production

HinderPromote

Technological

Political

Syngenta and the Royal Society of Chemistry set up the Pan-African

chemistry network to improve farmingin Africa

Tax incentives and research anddevelopment from the government can

encourage farmersGovernments build roads, dams and

infrastructure and this encouragesfarmers to increase food productionGovernment subsidies for growing

certain crops make it more profitableto farmers

EU is aiming to replace 5% of alltransportation fuel with biofuel by 2010,

less land for farming food and less to eatIn the 1960s and 70s, policies in

government (Malaysia) encouraged farmers to grow “cash crops” e.g. rubber

In the 1980s, high tech equipment in Singapore actually destroyed crops due

to the wrong climateGovernments are focused on industry

and development may forget about agriculture

Governments can enforce limits and quotas

New equipement and technologicaldevelopments increase productivityand yield which leads to lower food prices, allowing poorer people to eatCan provide additional employment

Food pricers are lower from lowerproduction costs

Factors influencing food production

Can cost people unskilled jobs if machines are capable instead

Crops are grown to be used as biofuelswith new capacity for them instead of

to be eaten

The relationship between supermarkets and farmers

The supermarket Code of Practicewas introduced in Mar 2002 to redress

the balance between supermarketsand farmers. It involved 4

supermarkets(ASDA, Safeway, Tesco and

Sainsbury)who had all been highlighted as being

of concern.

Friends of the Earth with the support of farming and public interest

organizations carried out a surveyof farmers in 2003 to find out how

farmers were faring under the code.

Twenty eight farmers (17%) had to wait longer than 30 days for aninvoice to be paid

More than half the farmers (58%) did not think the code of practice made any difference to the way supermarkets did business52% of dairy farmers said they were getting paid the same or less

than the price of production43% said they received “just over” the cost of production

37% of fruit and veg growers said they received the same or less than

the cost of productionAbout 1/3 of all farmers did not complain about problems for fear

of delisting and not being able to sell their produceOnly 44% were aware that a code was even in place

58% of those who knew there was a code believed that it had madeno difference

Farmers may produce less so that pay is driven up, forcing bothsupermarkets and consumers to pay more. Those who feel

severely disadvantaged may even leave agriculture for a different job.

Food production and technologyNew technology can

provide additionalRural employment,

but there are alwaysCounteracting

pressures to reduce

Labour input and lower its costs.

Agricultural technology

is a primaryFactor contributing to

increases in Food productivity in

developing countries.

The lowering of food prices allowsthe poor to eat more and possiblybetter which has a positive impact

onnutrition, health and food security.

But cheaper food also releasesincome which can be spent on

othergoods and services with immediatepositive benefits to the poor such

asimproved shelter or access to key

services such as healthcare oreducation.

However, where productivity increases Due to technology match or overtake

The equivalent fall in prices, both net consumers and net producers can

benefit. Between1980 and 2000, production of wheat and rice in

Bangladesh increased from below 15 to 25.7 million tonnes, increasing per capita availability

in the same time from 425 to 510grams per day.

Combine harvestersTractors

PesticidesFertilisers

More outputIncreasing

Yield makesUp for the

Loss inPrice.

Food prices are demonstrably

lower because of

technology, but the

sharing of benefits between

consumers and producers depends on

the nature of the local economy.

Employment on the

farms of othersis important for the

livelihood of thepoor, main source

of income and work.

Soil Degredation in Zimbabwe

The climate of Zimbabwe (hot dry season followed by wet season) means it is vulnerable to fluvial

erosion. The rate of soil productionis 0.4 tonnes per hectare per yearwhile the soil erosion is in excess

of 30 tonnes per year.

The two main factorsIn soil degradation are

Population density and soilType. The higher the

density,The higher the erosion,

henceCommunal lands having

Such a high rate. (50t ph py)

Soil has a carryingcapacity dependant onsoil type, climate andvegetation cover. It's

capacity is the numberof people and animalsit can sustain without

degredation.

In Zimbabwe, there are two typesOf land tenure. Traditionally, land Was owned communally with noWritten contracts but now more

People are beginning to privatelyOwn land with written ownership

thatCan be sold or bought with money.

The private owners cause lessLand degredation as they have

moreIncentive to look after the land and

Generally, communal land has higher

Erosion rates. 4.2 million peopleIn Zimbabwe live on communal

land.

Impacts:Siltation of rivers

Dams are filled with sediment within 15 years of construction

Decline of soil fertilityIn some areas, cultivation of maize will only be

possiblefor the next 15 years

It is predicted that Sorghum cultivation will be impossible in 30 years.

Rice production in LaosRice production in the Lao PDRincreased by 75% from 1.4 mil

tonnes in 1986 to 2.5 mil in 2004Policy chances in agricultural sector have contributed to the

economic growth and improvements in welfare

The current strategic objectivesfor agricultural development are

to improve rural livelihoods, reduce vulnerability of poor

households, create opportunitiesfor diversifying livelihoods and maintain environmental quality.

Lao people consume 171kg percapita of milled rice per annum,which constitutes 70% of their

calorie and protein intakeChampasack and Saravane are

two major rice producing provinces

in the southern region. Thenorthern region is mountainousand contributes 22% if output.

Strategy 1 – Improve the marketaccess of rural communities

through investment in infrastructure

Strategy 2 – Raise productivityso that farmers needs are met

from a smaller area.

Rice yield increased at an annual rate of 2.6% while

area expanded 1.8%.Many factors influenced yield.

The adoption of modern varieties

Use of inorganic fertilizersAvailability of irrigation facilities.

Government commitment tosupport rice production

Although food availibility at a national level has improved,

household food security has not been achieved fully. Farmers with

limited incomes and those in remote areas are still unable to

meet their rice needs fullyTo maintain self-sufficiency in

rice,Laos PDR will need to produce

an additional 1 mil tonnesannually by 2020 to meet the increasing demand from pop.

growthAt the current rate of

pop.growth,as assuming the current rate of

rice consumption per capita,demand will rise by 3.6 mil

tonnesby 2020

At this rate of growth, the pop. Is expected to increase from 5.3

mil in 2000 to 8.8 in 2020

Rice area has increased from

approx. 642,000 ha in 1986To 770,000 ha, more than

20%Rice production averagedaround 1.3 mil tonnes per

annum until the 1990s, withno clear trend in production.A significant breakthrough

occurred during the mid 90swith production rising steeply

to 2.5 mil t in 2004.The rice area cultivated in

theuplands decreased by 52%

and its contribution to the total

rice area declined from 41%in 1991 to 15% in 2004.

GM Crops

For Against

Less pesticides are needed as the plants themselves are resistant

Higher crop yieldsDecrease in food prices due to lower costs and higher yield. As people in poor countries

spend over half of their income on food alone,lower food prices mean an automatic reduction

of poverty.Less deforestation needed to feed the worlds

growing population (UN projections say that the world population will reach 8.15 billion compared to 6.18 billion in year 2000). This

decreases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,which in turn slows global warming.

Rigorous testing of ALL GMOcrops and products. This makes GMOs

much safer than organic crops.Crops can be altered to taste better or hold

more nutrients Crops can be made drought resistant and

survive in harsher environments, also openingup more land such as deserts to be agricultural

land

Accidental cross-contamination between GM and non-GM crops

Creation of pest of herbicide resistantcrops could result in superweeds that evolve

Need to adopt precautionary principleon all new technology and the impact on humanhealth, food safety and the environment cannot

be accurately predictedGM crops have additional proteins and altered

genetic compositions which may result in allergic reactions

GM crops will result in increased dependency ontransnational biotech companies to supply

seeds and chemicals, resulting in monocultures.This will prove costly and damaging to small

scale farmers in the developing worldGM is not the key to global food security as allthose developed to date have largely benefited

Northern countries and markets, not smallscale farmers. Food security lies as much in

distribution as in quantity.In 2012, a test on rats in France resulted inGM maize being linked with tumours and

multiple organ failureSuccessful alteration is marked with an antibiotic,if consumed to much, people develop resistance

Additional factors that hinder food production

Changes in the European consumption of fishUK, Germany and France consume more than

70% of all fish sold in supermarketsConvenient, easy to prepare food is rising

More fish is sold in restaurantsGreater consideration of health benefits

Greater concern for food safety, environment,welfare – increased demand for organic

Rejection of intensive methods has increaseddemand for higher quality

Fishing vesselsLarge ships owned by companies have

increased in numberThey have powerful sonar to locate whole

shoals of fishFine mesh nets reach greater depths

They're unselective and extract baby fish

EUCountries bordering the North Sea all claim12 nautical miles of territory which they can

fish inCommon fisheries policy assists in disputes

Quotas for how many of each species canbe caught

Each member state polices its own quotaSeveral different systems: different fish,

different areas, how long fishermen can be at sea

FactoriesLarge numbers of coastal people and

industryHigh pollution

SeaMostly <200m deep and shallower in South

Supports a diverse ecosystemPlankton provide food for 200 species of fish

Rising temperature reduces the amount of plankton

Land reclamation declines fish stocks due tosilting and pollution (UK and Netherlands)

Sustainable food management: Hydroponics and aeroponics

Hydroponics Aeroponics

Method: Crops are grown with water containing the Necessary nutrients without the use of soil.

Case Study: Thanet Earth, KentIt contains 3 greenhouses, each the size of 10

football pitches4 more are under construction

Each will be 'mono-crop' and grow just onetype of crop, however may have many varieties

It increased UK salad crop supplies by 15%Positives:

Costs less as no soil is needed and water staysin the system so less soil erosion

Complete control – no weedsStable and high yields

95% of light is kept inside the greenhouse, preventing light pollution

Can grow crops out of season and fasterNegatives:

Maintenance required is very highAny failure leads to mass plant death

Technical knowledge is necessaryCan cost $3,000 for each system

Conditions must be kept constant, slight alteration

to heat or pH can cause disasterNot all crops can be grown this way

Method: Crops are grown in air or mist containing nutrients

Rather than soil or water. Case Study: Lim Chu Kang, Singapore

Aerogreen Technology is a $12 mil companyThe Kampong Bugis development plan proposed

that all rooftops and 60% of vertical surfaces should have aeroponics to create sustainibility

In Singapore, 1,500 hectares are used for 6 agrotechnological parks

Singapore is the world leader in rooftop production of fresh food

Positives:It reduces the cost and energy demand required

to transport food from out of the city39,000 tonnes of vegetables could be grown in

212 hectaresSubstantial savings in water and land

Ideal for countries with scarce water and landNegatives:

Not all countries have access to cutting edge technology

May go against certain cultures or traditionsAir around the plant must be pure and it is

necessary to have as little contact with humans are possible

The cooling of the nutrient solution is expensive ($5/kilo)

Sustainable food management: Blue revolution and Green revolution

Blue revolution Green revolution

Method: Man made establishments such as ponds are

usedTo rear aquatic lifeforms with the aim of improving

Fish farming techniques and increase yields. Case Study: Malawi

In Zomba West, the WorldFish centre have assisted

digging 10x15m pondsChambo and mlamba are the main fish bred

Manure from farms used to fertilize ponds, silt from

ponds fertilizes crops (linked agri/aquaculture)Fish provide locals with Vitamin A, expanding the

life expectancy of 1,200 HIV sufferersPositives:

Increases yield85% of shrimp in Asia are farmed this way

Increased from 26,000 tonnes in 1970 to 700,000in 1990

Retail value over £20 bil – increased economy and

sustainable incomeRelatively cheap – tool for feeding the poor

Negatives: Rapid expansion has caused degredation and loss

of natural resourcesPollution problems and fish areas lost to shrimp7Coastal habitat, mudflat and coral reefs degraded

Competition from natural speciesSalinization of waterways ruins production (Thailand)

Typical farm lasts 2-5 days before pollution and disease

Method: Research, development and technology transfer initiatives change the way agricultural production

happenedCase Study: India

First country to benefit, used high-yielding variety seed program (HPV) in 1966

HPV introducted new hybrid varieties of five cereals which were drought resistant

All responsive to fertilizersAll had shorter growing seasons than traditional

varietiesPositives:

Targets all aspects of modern agricultureYields of new varieties are 2-4 times higher

Diet of rural areas becomes more variesFarming incomes increased allowing purchase of

machinary and technologyShorter growing season allows growth of extra

Negatives:Contrly in both economic and environmental terms

Rural debt due to farmers borrowing money for chemicals

Middle and high income farmers benefited – wider income gap

Increased rural-urban migrationSalinization increased

Dependence on transnationals for supplies