World Agriculture Toward 2000

Agriculture demands long-term planning but suffers from short term changes in economic and trade policies as well as in weather and pest status. With the need to feed an extra billion people by the end of this century, taking the right decisions now is crucial. As an aid to planning for the future, the FAO has published a revised and updated edition of 'Agriculture Toward 2000'. 'AT 2000' was first submitted to the 1979 FAO Conference but this latest edition entitled 'World Agriculture Toward 2000' has the benefit of additional information; China's agriculture has been included. The perspective has shortened from 21) to 10 years and there is more recent information on which to draw. The study examines 94 developing countries individually, which account for all but 1.5 % of developing country population. Thirty four developed countries are also studied. Drawing on the economic and technical disciplines and field experience of FAO, the report is an assessment of possible future world and country-group production, trade and nutrition. Attention is also focussed on strategies and policies to check environmental damage in striving for increased production. However, the report recognizes that in developing countries in particular, environmental protection cannot be left to governments alone; much of the motivation and the resources that will be needed will have to come from the farmers themselves. This requires the introduction of conservation measures into agricultural and agroforesty systems at farm level and hence provides FAO's rationale for promoting a shift away from purely technical approaches towards community and farmer-centred measures. In his introduction, the Director-General of FAO, Edouard Saouma, stresses that developing countries themselves bear the primary responsibility for bringing about a further strengthening of their productive capacity but at the same time he notes that their efforts alone cannot meet this challenge. The elimination of hunger is a global problem that demands a global solution and the combined efforts of all partners in development. 'World Agriculture Toward 2000' has to contain detailed information so as to be comprehensive, but it is written in an easy-to-read style and is supported by graphs and statistical tables. 'World Agriculture Toward 2000' edited by Nikos Alexandratos, 1988 338pp, ISBN 185 293 0578, price UKL35. Belhaven Press 25 Floral Street London WC2E 9DS - UKWorld Agriculture Toward 2000' edited by Nikos Alexandratos, 1988 338pp, ISBN 185 293 0578, price UKL35. Belhaven Press 25 Floral Street London WC2E 9DS - U