Why did Global Food Production Increase?
The rate of increase in yields and hence in total food production is slowing. 3.7%, 2.5% and 2.1% respectively in the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s. a) Emergence of pests resistance to pesticides, b) Contamination of water bodies by fertilizers and pesticides residues, c) Transfer of fertile agricultural land to urbanization, d) Land degradation, e) Aging Farmers and no replacement f) Ethical issues about genetic engineering. How Governments Intervene in Agricultural Production a) Funding of research in agriculture b) Direct price support (subsidies for fertilizer, pesticides, land leases etc) c) Protection against imports of similar goods produced by local farmers d) Incentives to modernize agriculture e) Tax exemptions and reliefs. f) Direct cash payments to farmers to reduce prices of agricultural goods below world market price.
