Science and Technology for Sustainable Food Security, Nutritional Adequacy, and Poverty Alleviation in the Asia-Pacific Region

Table of Contents

RAP publication: 2002/02

R.B. Singh
Assistant Director-General
and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok, Thailand

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© FAO, 2002

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Table of Contents

PREFACE

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. INTRODUCTION

II. STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Food consumption and nutrition
Nexus between hunger and poverty
Demand and supply at 2015/2030
Prospects for agricultural production

III. SALIENT FEATURES OF ASIAN FARMING SYSTEMS

South Asia
Southeast and East Asia

IV. THE CHALLENGES

V. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES: FOOD-SECURITY, POVERTY-ALLEVIATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Enhancing yield and productivity, bridging yield gaps, and protecting yield gains
Biotechnology: exploiting the gene revolution
Information revolution: knowledge-based development
Managing natural resources: land, water and biodiversity
Environmental concerns
Managing climate change
Natural disasters: minimizing adverse impacts

VI. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

Paradigm shift: Towards an evergreen revolution
Investment in agriculture, agricultural sciences, and research and technology development
Pro-poor science development and technology transfer: science with a human face
Science-led agricultural diversification
Building bridges for science: strategic partnerships and regulatory framework
Globalization and liberalization: the role of science
Linking science, nutrition, and development

VII. CONCLUSIONS

VIII. REFERENCES