Global Food Security Problem

As we know that world population has grown to 6.0 billion today to estimated about 9 billion in 2050. We also predict that total population increased for another 1.7 billion in 2030. According to Dr Andrian Harris from Canberra, Australia as a consultant the requirement of food production must be doubled. The arable land ratio for food production compared to world population decline up to 55% in 2030. This article discuss about a regional approach to biosecurity problem based on international workshop at Concorde Hotel, Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia from 1-3 December 2010.

To balance the food supply we has to increase the food production at 2.3% annually to meet the global food demand whereby the current trend only about 1.5% annually. So how to ensure the food production will enough for the world next decade? The food crises in 2007-2008 became a popular reference as turning points in talking about food security globally. Current worlds food stock only about 61 days available or enough to feed world population for the world reduce from 115 days in 1978. the current food price was increase since 2008 due to oil crisis and low production due the bad climate. Study by scientist shown that the losses of crop production by 20-40% annually due to diseases, pests and weeds problem with estimated value of USD 226 billion).

We has to increase food productivity by various way including the control of pest, disease, weeds and high yielding variety. The losses from post harvest activity reached 50% for fruit and 25% for vegetable and has to be reduce. Study shown that certain regulation and government policies has to be improved by removal of artificial barriers and protectionism among producing and importing countries. In our region the developing economies, growing population, changing demands for food, catch-up in regulation of bio security and pesticide use has to be solved.

By

M Anem

Shah Alam

Malaysia