Along with rising incomes and urbanization, global food demand is becoming more diversified and quality-oriented. But diversity is not just for the urban rich. For the poor, too, diversity in food production and consumption is essential, for increased intake of micronutrients. Diversification of crops and products and increasing nutritional qualities demand a sophisticated scientific approach. The ethical issue is, again, how choices are made and priorities are set with respect to the needs of underprivileged target groups.
Agriculture provides more services to society than just producing calories or income per hectare.
The sector is increasingly held responsible for environmental services, such as preservation of watersheds, protection of agricultural biodiversity, carbon sequestration and production of renewable energy. On the Internet, however, scientific excellence and nonsense exist side by side. While IT may become a great transboundary equalizer, the need for reliable sources of scientific data is growing. The ethical issue here is whether scientists, in private and public sectors alike, are sufficiently sharing their results, including their doubts and failures. Balancing the water requirements of agriculture with those of population and industry forces crop science to re-examine yield performance.