Summary: Impact of global changing environment on world food security and agricultural developmentThe article reviews the literature on the world food situation at the beginning of the next century. Given a growing world population and a changing environment, only sufficient investment in agriculture - in particular research - will provide for sufficient food production. However, regional food shortages, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa but also in South Asia, can be anticipated. The world nutrition problem, however, is often not a consequence of a lack of agricultural capacity, but the result of economic and institutional weaknesses and policy failures. Creation of employment, adequate health care systems and the prevention of violent conflicts are some factors relevant for future world food security. The article proposes different policies with respect to developing and industrialized countries.
