Addressing food security requires not only increasing crop production but also ensuring equitable distribution and empowering local communities.
Introducing biodiversity in agriculture enhances soil health and resilience, aligning traditional practices with sustainable food security models.
Deep dives
Global Food Insecurity
Currently, around 800 million people experience hunger globally, with nearly 2 billion others facing malnourishment, either from insufficient or excessive food intake. This highlights the urgent need to address food security as the population continues to grow. The discussion emphasizes that while food availability is sufficient, the real issue lies in its distribution and access. Achieving food security is not merely about increasing crop production, but it underscores the importance of political will and local innovation to empower communities to feed themselves.
Integrating Biodiversity in Agriculture
Introducing biodiversity into agricultural systems can significantly enhance both soil health and crop yields. A more diverse farming landscape, incorporating trees, legumes, and various crops, not only improves nutrient cycling but also promotes resilience against pests and diseases. Traditional farming practices, which often included multiple crops and livestock, are being revisited as sustainable models capable of supporting food security. The transition back to these regenerative practices requires an understanding of local ecosystems and a commitment to restoring the richness of biodiversity on farmlands.
Navigating Human-Wildlife Conflict
Human-wildlife conflicts are a pressing issue for farmers, particularly in regions where agricultural land overlaps with natural habitats. Strategies to mitigate these conflicts include using innovative agricultural practices that promote coexistence with wildlife, such as diversifying crops to ensure sufficient food supply despite losses. Many farmers are exploring sustainable solutions, such as hybrid drought-resistant crops and smaller animal husbandry, to adapt to challenges posed by wildlife. This integrative approach not only aims to secure food for local communities but also emphasizes the conservation of wildlife populations.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, 800 million people are going to bed hungry every night, but 2 billion people in the world are malnourished. Farmers across the globe produce enough food to feed 10 billion people, yet there are only 7.6 billion of us.
We know there is enough food to go around, but filling tummies is only the start – we also need a varied diet. CrowdScience visits Nairobi during GGIAR Science Week, a hub for agricultural scientists. They are meeting to discuss the changes needed to get the right crops into the soil and the right food on the plates of those who need it.
Presenters Anand Jagatia and Alex Lathbridge are joined by a live audience and a panel of experts Lindiwe Sibanda, Sieglinde Snapp and Alex Awiti. Together they explore questions from our listeners in Kenya and around the world: whether we can restore natural habitats whilst promoting food security; why human waste isn’t used more commonly as a fertiliser; and what impact empowering women in agriculture will have on our ability to feed the world.
Recorded at CGIAR Science Week at the UN headquarters in Nairobi.
Image: Drone view of tractor ploughing a field
Image Credit: Justin Paget via Getty Images
Presenters: Anand Jagatia & Alex Lathbridge
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Editors: Martin Smith & Cathy Edwards
Production Co-ordinators: Ishmael Soriano & Josie Hardy
Studio Managers: Gayl Gordon, Andrew Garratt & Sarah Hockley
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
