ABSTRACT
Most people would not deny that agriculture is linked to food security although beyond the obvious production issues, other links are not always overtly apparent nor are they always direct or linear.
In 2050 Earth’s population is projected to reach just over 9 billion. Between now and then, agriculture will not only be called upon to provide the food, feed and fibre to meet present population needs, but it will have to increase productivity year-on-year by 0.35% if we are to provide the extra 70% required to meet this increased demand. Achieving these rising demands however is only winning half the battle, continuing challenges in respect of whether these demands can be met without seriously damaging the environment or excessively raising food prices into the bargain remains to be seen (GHI 2010). This comes at a time too when the agricultural landscape continues on its downward trajectory. In Western Europe and the United States, for instance, in the past two decades, these countries have seen their share of world agricultural production decrease considerably to around 1%–2% of gross domestic product (GDP). While change is slower in other quarters, with the African agricultural sector, for example, although declining, it still currently stands at between 20% and 40% of overall GDP whilst continuing to employ about 60% of the labour force.
