Introduction to Food Security and Global Agriculture

It’s the most basic of human functions: eating.

Everyone on planet earth is united by this basic need for calories in order to remain alive.  And while everyone needs this energy, what the food is, where it comes from, and how it is prepared is nearly as diverse as humans on the planet.

Unfortunately, the differences also extend to whether people have enough food.  While some people have so much food that they can’t eat it fast enough before it rots, others struggle to find their next meal or may go several days without food.

You may be familiar with the topic of food security.  It’s in the news often.  But what does it actually mean?  Food security exists when “all people, at all times, have physical, [social] and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1996).

So, what influences whether a person is food secure?  What opportunities exist to promote food security?  Well, we’re so glad you asked, because these are the questions that we explore in this book.  This book is an in-depth examination of the ecological, economic, social, political, and technological factors that influence whether a person, community, and nation is considered food secure.

Whether warming temperatures, the COVID-19 pandemic, war, drought, flooding, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, geographical constraints, or international trade wards there are no shortage of threats to a person being able to have enough food.  But it’s not all doom and gloom – as we explore these challenges, we also realize there are many opportunities.  From the newest technological breakthroughs (such as genetically modified crops), to recognizing the merits ancient agricultural practices.  From advanced datasets, to just listening to people.

This textbook is different from many other textbooks you have read.  This is a living document – it will be updated with new chapters added from scholars from around the globe.  What you see at this point is just the start.  Also, this is an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook, meaning this is available for free to anyone around the world. Finally, this is also unique because it is an open pedagogy project – meaning chapters are written by graduate students at The Pennsylvania State University in the United States.  These students come from countries around the globe and share a wealth of disciplinary backgrounds.  Be certain to keep checking back since more content will be added in the weeks and months to come.

We are excited to journey with you as we explore the factors that influence whether or not people have food to eat. Come, join us as we discover what happens to ensure that everyone eats!

Your textbook editors,

Noel Habashy, Melanie Miller Foster, Paul Esker, and Deanna Behring

References

FAO. (1996). World Food Summit: Rome Declaration on World Food Security and World Food Summit Plan of Action, Rome.