Humanity is entering a precarious era as world population and consumption are growing faster than crop production with nearly all growth occurring in the developing world. Global food production must increase by 70% by 2050 and in the next 50 years world will need to produce as much food as has been produced in the history of mankind. At the present time rising poverty, food prices, and food insecurity are impacting world stability. Issues include underinvestment in agricultural research; the

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... pact of climate change on agricultural systems; and resource degradation such as loss of topsoil and fertilizers. The solution will involve improved and more diverse cropping systems; more emphasis on precision agriculture; increase information and communication technology; tapping latent genetic potential; improved efficiency of photosynthesis, nutrients, and water use; biotic stress resistance; increasing nutritional quality; and improved postharvest handling. The successful implementation will require global initiatives and partnerships as well as concerted vision and political will.