Royal Society Reaping the
Benefits
Matthew Cammidge
Liam Williamson
Kathryn Moore
Cerys Jones
Laura knight
Gareth Bannister
Kalid Alsudairy
ABSTRACT
Key points of article “Reaping the benefits”
Application of course theory to policy document
Conclusion
Discussion
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?
Food scarcity and poverty
Accessibility and un-even distribution
Population has grown disproportionably to world food
production
Sustainable food production: context of science, social
and economic and the environment
Increase land usage vs. intensification
WHAT’S A SUSTAINABLE
SYSTEM?
The crops used must provide a high yield
Avoid unnecessary inputs
They must utilise human capital well
Negative environmental impacts must be minimised or
managed
Must use agro ecological processes
AGRICULTURE &
ECONOMICS
World Agriculture makes up:
29% of Global GDP
65% of workforce
Multifunctionality Required.
Social
Economic
Political
Incremental better than radical- Unique.
PREVIOUS & FUTURE
REPORTS
Differences in analysis, recommendations and…
• Different emphasis in the areas of:
Science
Technology
Markets
Trade
Social & Political
• 2008 World Bank Report.
Overall aim of this report is to provide ‘evidence base’ for UK Government’s
‘Foresight’ Group report (completed in 2010).
MODERN PROBLEMS WITH
FOOD PRODUCTION
Drought
Agricultural activities and irrigated crops
The global temperature
Ozone levels
Soil issues
Population
CROP NUTRIENTS, PESTS
AND DISEASES
Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium are crucial
determinants of global sustainable crops.
Nitrogen fertiliser application increases the economic and
energy costs of agriculture
Agriculture amounts for the majority N20 emissions in
the UK
Crop genetic diversity has declined in recent decades.
FOOD CROP PRODUCTION
Potential to raise food crop production in sustainable way.
Has been successful with certain crops already.
Popular in; USA, Brazil, India, Argentina, Canada.
Not popular in; Europe, Africa.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENTS AND
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Improving research leads to better knowledge of food crop
allowing:
Better understanding of crops cells (imaging) allows better crop
management and agricultural environment.
Changing the genetics of the crop and modifying of certain traits.
Applications of research
Improve yield potential
Reduce effects of abiotic stress and Biotic stress
Mineral nutrition of crops
Nutritional quality
NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT
The Natural Environment of externalities
4 key factors
Negative Externalities
Ecosystem Services
Agriculture effects
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity in agricultural systems
Intensification Problems
Reasons for increased impact
Gene flow
Possible environmental impacts
SOCIAL IMPACTS
Human Health
Crop Modifications – e.g. plant produced insulin
Social & Economic systems
Consideration needed – e.g. African farms
Rich/poor divide
TECHNOLOGICAL
IMPACTS
Extension & Technology transfer
Extension service decline – Public -> Private
Knowledge exchange
Innovation towards
sustainable intensification
Aim for sustainable intensification is needed
Under 6% cultivated area 300 years ago
About 32% cultivated area today (klein, 2001)
Over half of the agriculturally usable land has been
converted into land for growing crops (Green et al, 2005)
Innovation towards
sustainable intensification
As Waggoner’s (1995) indication
Negative impact of increasing cropland on society and
environment.
Greater GHG emission
Not enough water supply
Long term plan
Global food insecurity
“Countries must maintain and build their capacity to
innovate. Science and, in particular, the biology of crop
plants and their management, is a necessary part of
addressing this challenge”
Technology and biological sciences are vital !
Nevertheless !!
Global food insecurities
However, not enough contribution from universities !
Recommendation
Expertise within the private, charity and public sectors
must work together
And good communication between farmers and industries
is essential to achieve sustainable intensification.
Application of Course Theory to the
Policy document
J. Diamond- Societal Collapse
Policy Making (Stead & Stead)
Further Policy Implications
Societal Collapse -
insufficient food supply
J. Diamond (2004) talks about many different collapses of societal infrastructure - can apply this
to the downfall of food supply
Climate Change
Hostile Neighbours
Trade Partners
Environmental Problems
Societies Response to Environmental Problems
Responses to Environmental
Issues
Policy making based on:
Stead & Stead (1992)
Management for Sustainability
Strategic Choice Theory
Further Policy Implications
Transparency of GM foods
Further conflicts- e.g. ethical
Further policy needs
Karp & Gaulding (1995)- 3 approaches
Command & Control approach
Speak Truth to Power - Policy
enforcement
Truth
Science Power
(facts) (values)
Knowledge Closure Policy Choice
The policy report builds its scientific evidence to present a case for
policy development
The policy choice is the introduction of intensive agricultural systems
Need to look at relative scientific supporting evidence to eliminate
doubt and uncertainty
Overcoming Uncertainty
Ignorance
Uncertainty ‘Stuck’ in
uncertain stage
- insufficient
Risk
scientific
knowledge
Decision Making
Policy Making and Implementation
Crop Production - a complex
system?
Increased Population
Increased demand for food
insufficient supply uneven distribution
Increased Production
methods of production - debate
Further Environmental Damage
environmental debates
Climate Change = inhospitable conditions for crop production
Crop Production - a complex
system?
More resources used
Greater demand for crops
Inhospitable
environment for crop Environmental damage
production
Intensification - break the
cycle
Increased Population
Increased demand for food
policy implementation scientific interference
Intensified Crop Production
Increased Yield
poverty alleviation
Environmental Recovery
Further thoughts
Relation between policy document and Howard’s deadly
thoughts
I=PxAxT ( Barry Commoner, Paul R. Ehrlich and John
Holdren)
Reinforcing Management for Sustainability
Corporate Responsibility and Leadership
Contradictions in theory
Technology: cause or cure
Food intensification vs limits
Individual vs Collective Interests
Humility vs Arrogance
Democracy vs Decision Making
Dovers & Handmer (1993)
Group Viewpoint
Policy document was pro GM foods
Served Royal Society’s interests
GM foods: future option or necessity?
Local response over global?
References
Stead, J., G. and Stead, W., E. (2009) Management for a Small
Planet, Greenleaf publishing
Diamond, J., (2004) Collapse, Viking
Dovers, S. R. & Handmar, J. W. (1993) Contradictions in
Sustainability, Environmental Conservation 20(3) 217 - 222
McNeel, J. R., (2004) Something New Under The Sun, Penguin
Karp, D. & Gaulding, C. L. (1995) Motivational Underpinning
of Command & Control, Human Relations, New York 48(5) p. 439
Schmidheiny, S. (1992) Changing Course: Global Business
Perspectives on Development and the Environment, MIT Press
Kahn, H. (1979) World Economic Development: 1979 and Beyond,
Taylor & Francis
