Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World

Rattan Lal

ISBN 10: 1566705940 / ISBN 13: 9781566705943

Published by Taylor & Francis Inc Jul 2002, 2002

About this Item

Neuware - 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.

Seller Inventory # 9781566705943

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc Jul 2002
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1566705940
• ISBN 13: 9781566705943
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 234W x 156H x 0D millimeters 234 millimeters width by 156 millimeters height by 0 millimeters depth
• Weight: 1050 grams

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

Rattan Lal, David O. Hansen, Norman Uphoff