Science and technology must boost food security
18 Feb 2009
Science, technology and innovation must focus on raising agricultural production to ensure long-term food security, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable.This was the focus of a conference held in Malaysia this week.
It has become increasingly evident that the potential benefits of science and technology are still not reaching many of the poorest regions, countries and peoples. In fact, for many, the "technology gap" between rich and poor continues to widen.
It is widely accepted that the relative neglect of the agricultural sector over recent decades has caused agricultural productivity and supply capacities in many countries to decline. Now, there is an urgent need for increased and sustained investments in agriculture. This places agricultural science and technology, as important drivers of agricultural transformation, under a global spotlight.
A Conference on "Global food security: the role of science and technology" was held in
The conference was hosted by the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with support from the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development and its UNCTAD secretariat.
The two-day event focused on agricultural technologies that can address food security in the short, medium and long terms. Mr. Kobsak Chutikul, Special Adviser to UNCTAD SG Supachai Panitchpakdi, attended the conference and delivered an opening statement on his behalf
Source: UNCTAD
