Food prices are showing clear signs for concern, they are now higher in real terms than any time since 1984. This is the second price spike in less than four years and the G20 is making food security top of its 2011 to-do list. What is the role (if any) of DOD in alleviating this? Here are some facts to consider:
The scenario of food shortages and the feedback to security are Malthusian, and in just the same way Science and Technology may have a big role to play. More specifically, countries that produce one tonne per hectare will have to produce two; the vast amounts of food wasted on poor countries' farms (a third or more of the total according to The Economist), must be saved; and plant breeders will have to reverse the long decline in yield investments. Without changes, there will not just be a billion hungry people (India's population) but 2 billion extra in 2050. The rise on production may nevertheless needs to occur without inflicting misery to the poor if we want to avert the consequences to security.
What is the role of the Department of Defense and more specifically of SOUTHCOM? Some are calling for investment and transfer of research advances to limit the negative impacts on the poor.
What do you think? This week's The Economist (Feb 24th 2011 edition) has an expanded set of articles on the topic of Food Security for those that have access to the magazine and wish to get better informed on the subject.