Saturday, February 16, 2013
Room 206 (Hynes Convention Center)
The food system is a complex, interdisciplinary set of activities and outcomes that are not easily predicted. Nevertheless, there is considerable optimism that plant science can deliver, through a sustainable intensification of agriculture, enhanced food production and availability which will positively impact global food security. This paper will consider the demands made on plant science and its capacity to feed more people with reduced resource input. This must be done within a timeframe defined by a worrying combination of an increasing population, a changing climate and the declining availability of water, land and energy required for high crop yields – the perfect storm!