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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Feeding the underdeveloped world

Journal Article · · Chem. Eng. News; (United States)
OSTI ID:6540244

The National Academy of Sciences estimates that more than 450 million people in the world are hungry and malnourished. Most of them live in the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where technological and chemical inputs required for increased food production still have to make considerable headway. The 0.2% per-capita growth in food production in the developing countries and the 1.1% decline in Sub-Saharan Africa are disappointing when compared to the 2.6% world increase between 1960 and 1980. A growing dependence on food imports and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands are disturbing trends. Most increases in food production are the result of higher crop yields due to fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and new techniques in plant breeding. Developed countries have a key role to play in contributing both food and technical expertise to these countries. 12 references, 9 figures, 2 tables.

Research Organization:
International Food Policy Research Inst., Washington, DC
OSTI ID:
6540244
Journal Information:
Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 62:17; ISSN CENEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English