Argiculture : toward 2000

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries supply the world's food, wood and renewable raw materials, providing directly the means of liveli hood of almost half of the world's population. The problems of rural poverty, of precarious food supply and of millions of chronically under nourished people are closely linked to condi tions prevailing in those sectors. The main thrust of the work of FAO is toward helping countries solve these problems.

By year 2000 a world population of more than 6 billion will require an agricultural output some 50 to 60% greater than in 1980. Demand for food and agricultural products in developing countries will double. It is essential, within the next few years, to take many of the decisions which will determine the world food situation in 1990, or even in 2000.

Major land development schemes may require up to 20 years from the time they are decided on until full production is achieved; experience has shown that plant breeding to increase yields substantially involves at least ten years of research and testing. Moreover, agricul ture is not simply a technical matter. Farming is the core around which socially complex human cultures have evolved. People are slow to accept changes in practice or technology and more efficient patterns of resource use. At the same time, such increased production must not be achieved by misusing and sacrificing our precious natural resources. These are only some of the challenges facing agriculture, but they underscore the need for accelerated change sustained over long periods.