Article summaries and analysis methods

West P.C. et.al, (2014). Leverage points for improving global food security and the environment. Science Magazine. Vol. 345. Issue 6194.
The article centers on the leverage points for improving global food security and the environment. It is indicated that agriculture accounts for between 20% - 35% of the Green House Gasses (GHG) emission. Due to the need to produce more, agriculture is the major driving force for GHG emission, water quality degradation from soil loss and nutrient runoff as well as water use. This means there is need to have a small set of leverage points that would significantly improve efficiency and sustainability of food production. There is need hence to change crop allocation to directly feed people, reduce food wastage along the food chain and particularly during storage. It is by emphasizing on local and regional successes on the leverage points that there can be international and global impact
Pingali P.L. (2012). Green Revolution: Impacts, limits, and the path ahead. PNAS. Vol.109. No. 31
This research report highlights the challenges faced by developing countries in the agricultural sector such as providing food for the rapidly growing populations, the need for a diverse diet set, availability and use of technology and the preparation for the inevitable climatic changes. The Green Revolution (GR) achievements have also been highlighted such as crop genetic improvements, higher production and lowered food prices, access to crop genetic improvement and also the profits from crop improvement research investment. There were however some limitations that the Green Revolution faced including the persistence of food insecurity despite the massive investment in the GR, the persistent lagging in the micronutrient intake despite the calories availability, negative environmental impact and also marginal production environments. There is need hence to focus on agriculture as engine of poverty reduction and growth, enhance competitiveness of modernizing agriculture and focus on sustaining the resource base by correcting the distortions that create incentives for unsustainable use.
Foley J.A., (2011). Solutions for a Cultivated planet. Macmillan Publishers. Vol. 478.
Here, the writer highlights the challenges that face the agricultural world, the need for higher production and the possible future of agriculture. Despite agriculture taking up almost 38% of earth’s terrestrial surface, the crop production has not been commensurate to the area covered and the investment into the field. Agriculture is seen to have had negative impact on habitats, biodiversity, carbon storage and soil condition. There is need hence to enhance food production and its sustainability through doubling of food supplies over the next few decades, cutting down on greenhouse gasses, reduction of the biodiversity and habitat losses, reduction of the unsustainable water withdrawal particularly where water faces competing demand and finally phase out water pollution from agricultural chemicals.