Speaker Biography

Shashi Vemuri

Telangana state Agricultural University University , India

Title: Challenges to Food Security

 Shashi Vemuri
Biography:

Prof. Shashi Vemuri  was Formerly Senior Professor/ principal scientist and university head of entomology in India. with specialization in Pesticide Residues, Insect Toxicology, food safety and food security issues  and worked for more than 36 years indifferent capacities as Professor/ Researcher and Extension scientist. He/has published more than 130 research articles, 4 book chapters He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals. Participated  in more than 50 International Conferences and member of various Professional Committees and organizations

 

 

 

Abstract:

Food security is access to enough food by all people at all time for an active and healthy life. As per  FAO Food security exists when all people at all times have both physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. An increasing global population, in combination with climate change is a threat to food security as arable land becomes more scarce. The Global population which is 6.1 billion by 2000 is projected as 9 billion by 2050. The Growth in the agriculture sector is an effective tool to achieve food security and reduce poverty. Investing more funds in agricultural research and development are key for increasing agricultural productivity. For achieving zero hunger Governments and the private sector need to reenergize their science and technology research capacities.  Otherwise Global efforts to achieve the zero hunger 2030 could fall short. Worldwide Investment in agricultural sciences is on the decline for  many years. We need 60 percent more food to feed a hungry world by 2050 to meet 9 B. This needs to come from smallholder farmers who produce a majority of the  world’s food. Efforts to leverage science and technology in the field of agriculture must involve everyone. Need to develop the capacity for innovation in small holder farmers.  The skills and capacities of all  key players  involved  in all aspects of the agricultural innovation system must be upgraded through education and training at all levels.  Small holder farmers need an enabling environment for innovation including good governance, stable macro economic conditions, transparent legal and regulatory regimes,   secure property rights, risk management tools and market infrastructure, India is truly developing now and income, infrastructure, per capita income has also developed. However the major problem is food management and it’s distribution.Most efforts to reduce hunger concentrate more on agricultural production. Food losses due to a variety of issues are addressed less (biological, chemical and physical forces). Despite ensuring ample availability of food, existence of food insecurity at the micro-level in the country has remained a formidable challenge for India. Malnutrition and poverty are the main causes for the adoption of food security in India. Globalization may and may not help food security. Many people feel that globalization will definitely help food security due to trade but its matter of debate.