A Rangeland's Critique of the World Food Conference

Abstract

The World Food Conference held in Rome, Italy, November 5 to 16, 1974 was considered an important first step to confront the most important issue facing mankind-world hunger. The principal focus on the need for increased production at any cost to meet the needs of present populations, and about 76 million additional people each year, will result in an all-out effort to expand the cultivated area and maximize production from areas already under cultivation. Emphasis was mainly on grain production with little positive attention given to the possibilities of animal production and the great potential role of rangelands in meeting world food requirements. In spite of these deficiencies, positive steps included 1) setting up a World Food Council; 2) agreeing to establish a grain reserve; 3) approving the establishment of an international fund for agricultural development; 4) instituting a world-wide system of food information; 5) developing a systematic approach to world-wide fertilizer production and distribution; and 6) intensifying agricultural and weather research.