Food security and sustainable production
(a) Food supply.
(i) Food security and sustainable food production.
Increase in human population and concern for food security leads to a demand for increased food production. Food production must be sustainable and not degrade the natural resources on which agriculture depends.
(ii) Agricultural production depends on factors that control plant growth.
The area to grow crops is limited. Increased food production will depend on factors that control plant growth: breeding of higher yielding cultivars, use of fertiliser, protecting crops from pests, diseases, competition. Livestock produce less food per unit area than plant crops due to loss of energy between trophic levels.
