February 2014: In the context of growing populations, climate change and income growth driven food demand, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has released a book, titled, ‘Food Security in a World of Natural Resource Scarcity: The Role of Agricultural Technologies.’

The book explores the role of agricultural technologies through the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) process-based model on yields and the IFPRI International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) to explore effects on yields, prices, trade and food security.

The publication examines eleven technologies, including: no-till; integrated soil fertility management; precision agriculture; organic agriculture; nitrogen-use efficiency; water harvesting; drip irrigation; sprinkler irrigation; improved varieties of drought-tolerant and heat tolerant crops; and crop protection. It considers policy measures to promote technology adoption, such as investment in agricultural research and development and extension services; provision of incentives to private developers or early adopters; and the expansion of sustainable finance arrangements for farmers investing in technologies. The book targets policy makers in agricultural ministries and research institutes.

IFPRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [Publication: Food Security in a World of Natural Resource Scarcity: The Role of Agricultural Technologies]