Investment in crop research has plummeted

Over the past several decades, investment in crop research, especially by the developed world, has plummeted. Some donors believed the food problem was solved, and other priorities crowded out continued efforts to find better crop varieties. Today we're see soaring food prices, more people going hungry, and the potential for new crop disease strains and tougher pests to catch us off guard.

The New York Times reports on the problem, noting that, "Adjusted for inflation, the World Bank cut its agricultural lending to $2 billion in 2004 from $7.7 billion in 1980."

Also, even in the midst of the current crisis:

... Cuts in agricultural research continue. The United States is in the midst of slashing, by as much as 75 percent, its $59.5 million annual support for a global research network that focuses on improving crops vital to agriculture in poor countries. That network includes the rice institute.

But a big risk is that we'll respond with a strategy that actually reduces the long-term resiliency and viability of our own food chain. Planting a few varieties of a only few crops and transferring genes between species are approaches to the problem which endanger the biodiversity that we've historically depended on to feed ourselves.

And if history is any guide, we're not as smart as we think we are...

(Background on genetically modified organism (GMO)-foods and the environment here, as well as a recent article about softening opposition to GMO-foods in the face of rising food prices.)

AN ARTICLE IN SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN also warns about growing instability as a result of rising food prices and recommends more agricultural research as one of four steps that are urgently needed.

In addition, the article notes the increasing amount of agricultural production that is fed to livestock. If you're not a vegetarian and have no desire to become one, you can at least make smarter meat choices. Chicken and pork are both significantly better choices than beef in terms of the amount of feed that is required to produce a pound of meat, as well as environmental impact.

This alternative, however, is simply revolting... PETA recently announced a $1 million prize for the first scientist to develop an in vitro meat that would "mimic flesh." Please, people... let's stick with real food.