Food Security and Safety Through Science and Technology

Abstract

The uncontrolled growth of population has resulted in increased demand for food and conversion of agricultural lands for industrial use. The potentials of science and technology are being tapped in addressing these problems.
In this paper, four major technology transfer concerns from the developed to the developing countries were presented. These are: (i) the steep decline of international funding and aid for agricultural R&D and Extension; (ii) the impassable roadblocks against developing countries in a bid to catch up with developed countries in scientific innovations; (iii) the failure of developing countries to sustain the adoption of the Green Revolution; and (iv) the need to establish a partnership of technology transfer between developed countries and developing countries.

As a result, the Department of Agriculture identified priority commodities such as rice, corn and livestock, fisheries and seaweeds, sugar, coconut and intercrops. Roadmaps were also developed to help the country achieve improved levels of food security and confidence building among the greater number of farmers and fisherfolk.

Scientists were challenged to help strengthen the agricultural sector of the country to enable it to compete internationally.

Keywords