Innovations in Agriculture and Food Security

The accelerating pace of climate change, and burgeoning population growth, threatens global food security. Sustained growth in the agricultural sector - (crops, livestock, fisheries, forests, biomass, and commodities) – is important to feed the world, enhance rural livelihoods, stimulate economic growth, and maintain and restore ecosystem functions/services. Coping with the impact of climate change on agriculture will require careful management of resources like soil, water and biodiversity and making the most efficient use of the environmental goods and services. 

A number of recent innovations are being planned and applied to tackle these issues. Particular note is taken of innovations in (i) the use of saline and other sources of water (e.g. treated wastewater) for agricultural production, (ii) greenhouse and vertical farming, (iii) post-harvest conservation and (iv) national policies and strategies. 

To further discuss and hear about particular areas of innovations in agriculture and food security, the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) co-hosted, during the IDB annual meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a Forum on: Innovations in Agriculture and Food Security.