AGROFORESTRY AND NOVEL CROPS UNIT
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A time of opportunities and challenges for tropical agriculture |
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A time of opportunities and challenges for tropical agriculture
The 21st century is one of unprecedented opportunity for tropical agriculture. Our understanding of the ecological, genetic and social bases of sustainable production continues to grow rapidly, demand for an ever-widening range of agricultural products is increasing and agricultural science is widely seen to be fundamental to the solution of global problems such as climate change and extreme poverty.
With these opportunities, come challenges. The billions of rural people who subsist on a daily income of less than two US dollars urgently need new productive options. Smallholder and industrial agriculture have vital roles to play in creation and maintenance of prosperity, but must do so sustainably, without undermining the natural and human resource bases on which they depend. Responding to these challenges, while also adapting to and mitigating climate change, will require innovative approaches.