Australia's Role in Feeding the World: The Future of Australian Agriculture

Description

Earth's human population currently exceeds 7 billion, and by the year 2050 our planet will have at least two billion more mouths to feed. When faced with providing food for so many people, the idea is often advanced that Australia will become the 'food bowl' of Asia. Australia currently grows enough food to feed about three times its population and agricultural exports are important to our economy; however, Australia's role in feeding the world needs careful consideration. This highly topical book draws together the latest intelligence on the sustainable production and distribution of food and other products from Australian farms. It examines questions that policy-makers, farmers, politicians, agricultural scientists and the general public are asking about the potential productivity of our arable land, the environmental and economic impacts of seeking to increase productivity, and the value of becoming cleaner and greener in our agricultural output. With chapters on the emergence of new markets, consumer trends in China, the biophysical constraints on agricultural expansion, and the various products of Australian agriculture and aquaculture, Australia's Role in Feeding the World provides valuable insight into the future of agriculture in this nation. The book is ideal reading for academics and students in agriculture, environmental sciences, economics, Australian studies, international development studies; agricultural practitioners; and the food production industry.

Emeritus Professor Tor Hundloe was one of the pioneers of modern-day environmentalism. In 2003, he was the first Australian recognized by the award of an Order of Australia for his development and practice of economics in line with ecological reality and ethical imperatives. In 2010, he was awarded the Individual Award by the United Nations Association of Australia and is currently a researcher within the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland. He has also edited The Value of Water in a Drying Climate (2012), The Gold Coast Transformed (2015), and Australia's Role in Feeding the World (2016). Sarah Blagrove is an Environmental Scientist at a large international construction company. She earned an Award for Excellence from the Australian Council of Environmental Deans and Directors, and is engaged in postgraduate research based on food security on a part-time basis. Hannah Ditton has a degree in Sustainable Environments and Planning, majoring in Urban Design and Planning. She has worked for the Green Building Council of Australia where her passion for sustainable development and planning originated.