Feeding the world in the new millennium

Food production per head in the world as a whole has begun to level off in the last decade, while the world population continues to grow, risking malnutrition, perhaps even starvation, civil unrest and environmental damage. Very little more land suitable for agriculture is available, and the factors behind the 'green revolution' may not produce further increases. Genetically modified crops offer the possibility of increased yields, but also present major problems. In developing countries, where yields are well below what is theoretically possible, the best approach may be better management by small farmers through improvements in their traditional methods. Much more financial support for and research in agriculture is needed, together with more equitable distribution of existing production and an end to trade practices designed to make the rich richer.