Providing the food for a growing population
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| The recent food crisis has raised public awareness on the fragile nature of the current food production system and of the pressing need to improve agricultural production and to shore up food security. One piece of this puzzle is providing farmers with access to quality inputs, in particular fertilizers, and the knowledge to apply them efficiently and effectively over a long period of time. Increased cooperation between the global fertilizer industry, the public sector and other partners is needed to meet humanity’s ever-pressing food security challenges, with both a short-term and longer-term approach. “Greater food availability in the low-income, food-deficit nations cannot be achieved with one silver bullet. No doubt, greater availability of fertilizer is critical to any solution. Yet we also need a long-term vision of growth, and integrated investments that incorporates research, human and institutional capacity building, infrastructure, sound policy, markets and governance.” Norman Borlaug (Nobel Peace Prize)
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1 - Investing in agricultural productivity
During seven of the past nine years, global cereal consumption has surpassed demand, eroding stocks to their lowest levels in 30-40 years. However, as long as low prices for agricultural commodities prevailed, there was little room for investments to enhance productivity or to harness widespread efficiency gains in the global food production value chain.The low stocks-to-use ratios have put increased pressure on already tight agricultural markets worldwide. Food production volumes need to rise up to counter market volatility.
2 - A concerted effort
We need a concentrated, coordinated public-private effort to achieve the scale of reform necessary for sustainable agricultural growth. This is the only way to prevent similar problems from recurring. Higher agricultural productivity is the only sustainable solution, and it is a legitimate role for governments, donors and international organizations to ensure that farmers obtain the inputs they need to do the job.
3 - The role of fertilizers
Fertilizers, along with other inputs, are an important contributor to raising agricultural output by increasing yields and thus securing food supply. Excess output allows farmers to feed their families better, but also increase their income and develop commercial activities. Farmers need access to inputs at affordable prices and at the right time.
4 - The fertilizer industry's contribution
One of the best remedies is the development of a vibrant network of private sector agri-retailers, who can also relay information on good farming practices. The fertilizer industry’s immediate priority is to minimize production bottlenecks and overcome logistical problems. This will optimize existing capacity and make the supply of fertilizers as fluid as possible.
We need public-private partnerships to develop infrastructure supportive of agricultural growth, such as port efficiencies, regional rail/road development and storage facilities. We also need affordable and appropriate credit, and cross-sectoral coordination/integration to accelerate agricultural growth in a given region.
The immediate prerogative to raise agricultural output should not lead to neglect of environmental and social considerations. It is important to find solutions that support a range of sustainability objectives. For example, increasing nutrient use efficiency stretches the supply of nutrients, increases farmer profitability and reduces unwanted environmental impacts.
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