Producing sufficient food to feed the world's six billion people has been an agricultural triumph, even though the distribution of that food is far from equitable, leaving many hungry people in the world. Crop protection has played its part in this achievement, particularly in the developed countries.
Sustainable production is needed for both systems and is a major challenge for agriculturists.
The book begins with a paper from Hans Dobson and Joyce Magor from the Natural Resources Institute on the management of locusts, a pest which had been know for millennia and still threatens parts of the world with plague outbreaks. Amongst other things, it examines the new forecasting techniques which will help predict, and therefore control, locust plagues in future. Hilary Warburton and Adrienne Martin from the Natural Resources Institute reviews the impact of the 'sustainable livelihoods' approach now being adopted by development agencies when producing development strategies to alleviate poverty. Vic Jordon from IACR-Long Ashton outlines the importance of integrated crop production systems and the need for environmentally benign farming methods. Finally Consultant, John Russell examines the roles of governments in crop protection research and development.