Eco-functional Intensification and Food Security: Synergy or Compromise?

• DOI: 10.5539/sar.v4n3p126
• Publication Date: 2015-06-18T20:29:44Z
• Authors: Niels Halberg; P. Panneerselvam; Sebastien Treyer
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; 15. Life on land; 12. Responsible consumption

<p>There is an increased understanding that the challenges of producing enough food and biomass while preserving soil, water biodiversity necessary for ecosystem services can not be solved by prevalent types conventional agriculture agro-ecological approaches ecological intensification fundamental our future production. FAO has stated “Ecosystem sustain agricultural productivity resilience” advocates production through management. Terminologies such as agro-ecology ecological/ eco-functional/sustainable are being proposed development, which builds on higher input knowledge, observation skills management improved use methods. Contrary, global demand food, non-food pressure intensifying land increasing crop yields based inputs, still aiming at reducing environmental impact. There a battle discourse between these in competition – among others research development funding. The examples local security from introducing low external practices smallholder farmers many. However, upscaling remains challenge ability eco-functional to feed urban populations emerging economies open question. A broader view what organic farming new understandings ecology molecular biology will needed create profit synergies building eco-systems providing biomass.</p>