Global Food Security in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities for Crop Scientists

World food security in the 21^st century is challenged by i) continued increase in population, ii) emerging climatic changes and, declining water table, iii) stagnant rate of increase in crop productivity for the last two decades, iv) growing concerns about environmental pollution and declining soil fertility, v) increasing pressure to use less fertilizers and pesticides and vi). limited possibility of increasing arable land area. This has prompted the general concern and question whether the world food production would keep pace with the growing population in the coming decades. The current world population of about 7 billion is expected to rise to about 9 billion by 2050 and thereafter stabilize at that level – an increase of about 28.5%. Thus, keeping the current level of per capita cereals consumption which is the major source of calories, the world cereals production should be increased by 28.5% by 2050 or about 0.7% increase per year. Some feel that with possible increase in the middle class population, there would be an increased demand for meat production and thus the increase in cereals production should be about 1% per year. Keeping in view that the total cereals production increased from 877 million tons in 1961 to 2587 million tons in 2011, a 3.9% increase per year for over 50 years, it is within reach of agricultural scientists to achieve a 1% increase per year in the cereals production for the next 40 years. This can be achieved by a combination of several possible agricultural research and development activities including biotechnological innovations in the coming decades. These include i). some increase in cultivated land ii). bridging of the current yield gaps, iii). reduction of  yield losses by breeding stress resilient crop varieties, iv). increased yield potential by breeding improved crop varieties and v). adoption of improved crop management practices and intensive agriculture. A similar increase in pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables would complement the cereals to ensure a balanced diet. While it will take a partnership with producers, government, and scientists, it appears that the required productivity is within the range of expectations with an aggressive investment in research in crop production and breeding.