Food Security

Food security is achieved when citizens have access to adequate, nutritious and affordable food which supports an active, healthy lifestyle. Food security requires that the production of food not compromise the natural resource base or environment. Today, the United States faces a challenging dilemma: while the U.S. population continues to grow, arable land suitable for food production is declining. The remaining marginal land is susceptible to erosion, salinization, and desertification processes, conditions that can compromise human health and air, water and soil quality. The challenge is to produce more with less—to use less land, water and energy, along with fewer inputs.

Research and Education

• Education: ASA, CSSA, and SSSA  believe that the U.S. should take a strategic approach to ensure both national food security and the ability to provide food to needy countries. Agronomic, crop and soil science education along with training programs to develop integrated crop production systems will contribute to the goal of “producing more with less" while minimizing environmental impact.
  
• Research: Collaboration between the sciences of agricultural production and human nutrition has resulted in the development of biofortification—the process of using plant breeding and/or agronomic processes to develop staple food crops fortified with micronutrients. This technology is an example of how integrated research and scientific collaboration can contribute to the goal of achieving food security.
  
• Funding: ASA, CSSA, and SSSA encourage sustained federal investment in long‐term research such as a joint National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Long Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) program and the Conservation Evaluation Assessment Program (CEAP).  Long-term, large‐scale research can best address the biological complexity of these managed ecosystems.

Links

USAID

• USAID Food security website
• Clinton Recognizes USAID-supported African Women Scientists, Discusses Critical Role of Women in Achieving African Food Security