Food: The growing problem

Abstract

This illustrated news feature offers statistics and geographic information about the growing population and food security issue. In parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty levels are very high, but the problem is not the amount of food available. As population has risen, the availability of calories per person has actually increased, not decreased. So the food is there-the challenge lies in the ability to pay for food. Another major issue is trying to meet growing food demand sustainably, without severely depleting soil nutrient availability and ground water supplies. Worldwide public investment in agricultural research will play a huge role in addressing food security issues and sustainably increasing crop yields.